1st XV learn a hard lesson in losing their unbeaten League record.

The match was played at Mill Hill School as Old Millhillians' pitches at Headstone Lane were waterlogged from earlier in the week.

From the early stages, it was evident that OM were more determined to win the game than BE who may have thought this was a guaranteed away win, with OMs being quicker to the breakdown ball - and there was plenty of that as both sides dropped or lost their possession all too easily. The BE front row was out-muscled and the line-out did not fare much better: in the backs, the ball retention was poor with little ground being made when they had the ball.

OM were always dangerous in midfield and their first try, after 15 minutes, came when a home forward danced easily through the BE backs to score a try which was converted. It took a long time for BE to respond and they eventually got on the scoreboard with a HARRY EADE penalty but this was their only score of a disappointing first half. The same pattern applied after the interval, OM being more dangerous although SHANE KYRIACOU, LUKE WILLIAMS and LLOYD MORGAN fought and won a lot of ball whilst MATT NICHOLAS made several breaks from full back but never quite penetrated the OM back-line. Another try to OM gave them a 12-3 lead before a second penalty for HARRY EADE reduced this deficit. At last, BE had a period of pressure play, mainly down the right wing, and eventually TOBY SMITH went over for a try but too wide for Harry Eade's attempted conversion. So, 12-11 to OM with 12 minutes left. Then, a loose pass across the BE back-line let in an OM back for an interception try, and conversion, which sealed the result although it was a deserved victory for the home side.

The match was refereed by [b]NICK COCKBURN[/b, a Mill Hill old boy as well as being a BE player/referee before his elevation to the RFU Panel.

The 1st XV are away to Bank f England on Saturday at 3pm.

PGY