Once the journey across London got out of their system, 1871 braced themselves against the wind and got on with the business at hand, the warm-up…  This ended up being the catalyst that was needed as when the game started 1871 seemed to fall back into their old slow start ways, coughing up opportunities and failing to shut down what appeared to be a willing Streetonians side.  At 22 minutes, Streetonians took first blood after a quick tap from an Ealing penalty and they played short phases sucking in the 1871 players before pouncing on a gap and crashing over.  They converted to points, but this was the shot in the arm that 1871 needed, as after this, 1871 turned it on and to be fair, went about Old Streetonians in some swashbuckling style.

At 30 minutes Alex Kritikos (6) opened the 1871 account by crashing over from a quick tap penalty.

5 minutes later, Dan Nethercote (14) held his width perfectly, as the other 1871 players kept the ball alive, stretching the Old Streetonians team all across the pitch and back.  The ball went down the line and Dan took his opportunity well, going into the corner.

Half time

The second half continued where the first finished, with Dan Nethercote scoring his brace after 2 minutes and by once again holding his width, then stretching those long legs of his and out pacing the incoming wing and full back.

7 minutes later, not to be outdone, Alex Kritikos also scored his brace with a repeat crash ball score.  This time from a greater distance and I’m not sure there would have been much to have stopped his charge.

A late addition to the game, Adrian Coa (15), who did as his father bid and had his boots took his opportunity.  This was s simple by very well executed score, from the platform of a very solid scrum from the UCFB front row.  The ball went down the line and Adrian hit the game with electric pace and went under the sticks.  George Forster (10) slotted the extras.

The final try was from Connor Godfrey (5) who joined in the hard-line fun, after some lovely handling and keeping the ball alive, which put the defensive line all at 6’s and 7’s.  Connor saw the line and seemed to not believe that he was through, without being touched.  He went over the line to score and George Forster stepped up again to provide the extras.

A very good performance from 1871 and clearly a very happy Dan Ford (9).  I can’t repeat what he said… ?