The ground was dry and hard and once it had been cleared of a variety of forms of debris, some more pleasant than others, it was going to be playable.  There were hazy clouds, a slight breeze and it was just warm enough to generate water breaks during the game.

1^st Half

1871 started hard, scoring after 2 minutes, with the captain, Kavan Fitzpatrick (8) (C) going over after 1871 recovered a Kilburn kick ahead and playing the ball through the hands and some great interlink play between Afzaal Ijaz (12) and Ben Thompson (7).

Kilburn got into their game and came back after poor communication by 1871, who were choked in their 22, scrambled to get set, conceding a penalty, then succumbing to a drive over scrum.  Kilburn also took the extra points.

A battle of wits then ensued with neither side wanting to allow the other space, but 1871 applied more pressure and after 22 minutes scored.  This came off the back of a recovered Kilburn kick out ball by Carlos Duarte (14), a carry by Afzaal Ijaz, a great supporting line by Dan Clark (13), followed a pop to Darren Henry (11) who scored his first 1871 try having powered his way through scrabbling Kilburn defensive hands in a hard line carry.  Rob Lyall (10) (UCFB) took the extra points.

2 minutes later, Kilburn kicked out again, the ball was recovered by 1871,was passed down the line to Dan Clark who tore off down the field accelerating all the way to put the ball down under the sticks.  Rob Lyall again obliged with the extras.

At 31 minutes and to close the half with points being scored, Kavan Fitzpatrick went over again after taking a quick tap penalty and crashing over the line.

2^nd Half

Kilburn came out firing and scored after 4 minutes, after another lapse of concentration by 1871.

1871 woke up and went straight back at Kilburn 3 minutes later, winning a lineout, playing the ball down the line, rewinding, then rewinding again, a quick phase before Theo Szweda (6) took a pick and go and crashed through and over the Kilburn defence.  Rob Lyall once again slotted the extras.

At 10 minutes 1871 won a scrum, played down the line, then Dan Clark hit another of his very hard and fast lines and tearing away from Kilburn to score, with Rob Lyall again taking the extra points.

It took another 21 minutes before there were any scores, with both sides fighting hard, Kilburn trying to gain some ground and 1871 patiently and determinedly preventing them for getting real traction, until after being awarded a penalty, Kilburn again opted for a scrum penalty, which they won, then their 8 picked from the base and got through a defensive 1871 gap to score.

1871 were not finished, however, and 5 minutes later turned over a Kilburn ball, where Theo Szweda harried long and hard, then popped the ball, looping basketball style to a strong supporting Leonardo Olivieri (19), who went over to score.  Rob Lyall sealed the game by taking the extra points.

Of note, Rob Lyall prevented the Kilburn scoreline being higher by repeatedly chasing down their conversions and putting their kicker off enough to make him miss.  Excellent work.

This was a good test that 1871 2’s needed.  There are always work-ons in games and so there should be, but this win should celebrated for what it was, a hard fought and in a number of places a technically good performance.  There was lots of determination, on both sides of the ball, some very good handling and excellent support plays.

The build is going in the right direction.