Clash of the titans matchup lived up to its pre-match billing, the windy weather didn’t detract from a high tempo, skilled handling encounter!

1871 in the first half were imperious in their physicality, D-set after D-set saw Finchley bodies driven backwards, we starved Finchley of time and rattled their composure on the ball, forcing turnovers and panic kicking out on the full or to our back three who as usual ate up the free meters. Scrum set-piece was its usual masterclass, the wind made the line out something of a lottery. Keeping constant pressure and great strategic kicking from hand saw us able to play our patterns making gain line meters with front foot ball seeing tries from both Lewis and Toby as rewards for our efforts! 1871 could have easily had at least two/three more scores but a lack of patience, body position in contact and spirited Finchley defence thwarted us. Overall going in 10-0 at half time having seen little to nothing of the Finchley attack was gratifying.

The most dangerous time in any game is five minutes before and after half-time! 1871 gave away two penalties in quick succession early after the restart, Finchley capitalised and scored. The next 15 minutes we stopped going forward in defence that gave Finchley the extra few seconds and they punished 1871 with three more quick tries!!!! That onslaught plus losing Skipper Lewis to his hamstring would have seen lesser teams buckle but 1871 with great character rallied hard, we used the bench and the next 20 minutes we were back, George, Tim and Alex having powerful effect especially Alex who carried the ball hard in attack. More than once we went close or over the line only for the ref to deny us the scores, waves of pressure saw two yellows given to Finchley in desperate illegal defensive manouvers. 1871 got their reward eventually with Reggie crashing over under the posts from close range with the Vidz conversion ensuring that at least 1871 got the losing bonus point. Finchley celebrated like they had won the league today, I see it as they dodged a bullet…….. I think 1871 will be ruthless in the return encounter back at the fortress where we will not let them have the losing bonus point!!