A modern day classic went right down to the wire at St Albans on Saturday.

As BE arrived, they knew a win was absolutely crucial in getting their season back on track and the side had a good blend of youth and experience through the pack and back-line. BE started relatively sluggishly against an OA side that were proving to be effective with ball in hand. However, it was only individual missed tackles that allowed OA to even breach the well organised BE line and they did so twice in quick succession to build a 12-0 lead halfway through the first half. Although BE had played some rugby deep in the OA half, they were forcing the issue and panicky play was leading to mistakes and wasted opportunities. The two try deficit galvanised BE into simpler and more structured rugby and solid runs by the forwards, through the middle, were combined with the backs, leading to wide ball where the space was., and the yards were made. All this was combined with powerful rucking, allowing the side to maintain possession for long periods.

The pressure eventually told with BE posting two tries - both by CARL HIRZINGER- following big runs by forwards and quick hands in the backs. Neither was converted so it was 12-10 at half time but BE had the psychological edge at the break. The second half continued in much the same vein but OA's defence proved to be sturdier and it took a long time and a number of chances beforeRALPH LANE was able to smash over in the corner to give BE a 15-10 lead. After this, the side appeared to release pressure and, again, missed tackles began to undermine the impressive defence effort put in by the team, particularly by DAVE BLOMILEY in the backs and AL McFARLANE in the forwards. OAs scored two more tries, one converted, to take it to 24-15 into the final stages. To their credit, BE did not let their heads drop and they were forced to even more enterprising rugby with spectacular results. A backs move, off a scrum under their own posts, gave DAVE BLOMILEY an opportunity to make some metres and his pace and strength allowed him to beat the remaining defenders for a length-of-the-pitch try. This was followed, a couple of minutes later, by a stunning solo effort with ROD MACLENNAN exploring a hole in the defence to power through and sliding off a number of tackles to give BE a one point lead. Ferocious defence, which ended up with both JAMES STUBBS and GEORGE CROUCHER sporting deep head cuts, was enough to see BE over the line.

The entirev side put up a top-quality performance but honorable mentions should go to JOSH AGNEW on his senior debut and MARTIN LOWES in his first game for the 2nds: hopefully, both will have long careers at the Club. Men of the Match were shared between RALPH LANE, ROD MACLENNAN and DAVE BLOMILEY.

The post-match dinner was a very good beef curry. It had a hint of spice to it but wasa still manageable for those who cannot handle their chillies and there were a number of empty plates on show to prove it.

EM