A fourth successive defeat for the 1st XV.

The latest result, at the end of his "autumn tests", gave BE a losing bonus point which, added to the point they received in the 13-20 loss against London Welsh Amateurs at the start of this sequence means that BE's points have suffered as they are now in seventh place in the Table. Despite the single score loss, there was much to be proud of against strong opposition as they defended resolutely for most of the game and, on other occasions, might have sneaked a draw in the closing stages.

HARRY EADE kicked the penalty in the first minute but the referee decided to play a further 79 minutes which meant that BE were on the back foot for most of each half as the visitors ran hard and fast, none more so than their full back. BE's pack played well with DAN TAYLOR winning a lot of the away put-in at the scrum and strong runs by a number of the pack, especially CHRIS BLOMILEY. The line-outs were being well contested by BE but they could not quite put together a string of moves to take them into the away 22. The whole team defended well and the team put together a strong performance which resulted, at the close of the first half, with moves inside the OA 22. Unfortunately, one such move saw HARRY AVENT sin-binned. By the time he returned, OAs had scored two swift tries - one from an overlap, the other by their driving pack. As the game went into the final quarter of an hour, BE put together a series of moves which, on another day may have been successful. Unfortunately, there was no such luck and BE lost this tight game by a single score whereas a draw would have been more justice for them.

BE have concluded the first half of their League fixtures with five wins and six losses: they will hope to make that six wins on Saturday as they are away to Verulamians whom they beat 49-13 at home in September: kick-off is 2.15pm.

PGY