Second successive win over a "top four" team for the 1st XV.

With a weakened squad, on paper, the 1st XV produced a strong performance to defeat Kilburn Cosmos on their own pitch at Cricklewood in very good spring-like conditions in complete contrast with Byng Road seven days earlier.

From the first whistle, BE attacked strongly and forced KC backwards: in doing so, they scored two HARRY EADE penalties inside the first ten minutes. However, the try machine, known as Kilburn Cosmos, came quickly to action as their centres found space to run in three tries two of which were converted, in the next ten minutes so that the home side were 19-6 ahead at the end of the first quarter. Slowly but surely BE rallied, particularly with their superior set scrum, with KIERAN PORTER taking everal scrums against the head and the usual dominance in the line-outs. In addition, three players - JAMES ORAM, RICKY STEVENS and ROBBIE CAMERON-STAFF were causing problems with strong runs through attempted tackle by the home backs. In time, this allowed PETER MOULTON to break off the base of the scrum and making progress up to the home 5 metre line before finding SANJAY DEWAN who had an easy run in for a try under the posts. Surprisingly, HARRY EADE missed the conversion although he was successful minutes later with a penalty to make it 19-14. That deficit was turned into a two point lead right on half time when GLYN BAYLEY finished off a good backs move with a try that HARRY EADE converted.

BE kept up the pressure, after the interval, and that forced a wild pass out by the home backs right on their try line with the loose ball being snapped up by ROBBIE CAMERON-STAFF for a simple try being converted by HARRY EADE. Inevitably, KC replie with another converted try t make it 26-28 and so it stayed, despite two long range penalty attempts by KC and a close call decision when it looked as if KIERAN PORTER had scored in the quarter.

BE play London Nigerians at home on the 21st March and away at Old Actonians on 28th March.

PGY