Narrow defeat for the 1st XV but a losing bonus point.

The slim margin between success and failure was never more evident on Saturday when the 1st XV had to settle for a losing bonus point despite a very concerted third quarter pressure which almost brought them victory over new opponents. Ten minutes from time, after good forward pressure, the pack drove for the line and DAN TAYLOR touched down to make it 16-17 with the conversion to come: unfortunately, it went wide and then the visitors went to the other end and scored a penalty to stretch their narrow lead. Late attacks by the home side were a bit too frenetic so BE were unable to win back the game.

Abbotts arrived at Byng Road on the back of a 73-0 win in their opening League match last Saturday and the omens were not good when they scored inside 30 seconds when they ran in a very soft try in the backs after non-existent BE tackling: that try was converted. For about ten minutes, BE had to cope with further attacks although, slowly, their pack began to wrestle back control and take play upfield. It was from one such move that the BE forwards set up a rolling maul for LLOYD MORGAN to score a try. However, Abbotts continued to force the game and a booming long range penalty gave them a 10-5 lead before they scored a second converted try: BE were caught in possession in their 22, after a deep kick, and the visitors easily won the ball to allow their backs to force the second converted try. There was still time for more BE attacks and HARRY EADE landed a penalty to make it 8-17 at the interval.

The second half started ominously with BE on the back foot for long times: fortunately, the away kicker missed a couple of penalty attempts and BE managed to keep their line intact. Eventually, the BE machine, mainly through their pack and line-out, were gaining good possession and making inroads into the opposition half. It seemed as if they had scored a try in the right hand corner although the touch judge ruled a foot in touch just before the "try" (no TMO available !). The pressure continued and HARRY EADE kicked a second penalty to make it 11-17. The home side were winning most of the scrum ball cleanly and were unopposed in the line-outs so they had a lot of good possession. This turned into territory and much of the second half was inside the visitor's 22, resulting in DAN TAYLORs try. Unfortunately, the visitors had the last word and BE had to rely on their single losing bonus point for all their efforts.

The 1st XV are away to another new league opponent, London French, on 3rd October, with a 2pm kick-off.