This was definitely a game of two halves.

Ealing 1871 had numerous players out of position and many more unavailable, so knew they were going to have to start strong and try to maintain this for the full 80 minutes.

Consequently, 1871 came out firing in the first half ensuring that Finsbury Park were in no doubt that they were going to be up against it, because no matter what they did, 1871 shut them down at every turn, capitalising on every bit of space and choking Finsbury Park whenever they tried to get some stability. Getting 33 points in the first half of any game is impressive, particularly against a team who can fight, but keeping the opposition off of the scoreboard in that half is a testament to the determination that 1871 showed.

In the second half, however, Finsbury Park rallied themselves and threw everything at 1871, which almost immediately started to reap benefits for them.  They scored four tries in 31 minutes and converting all but one.  This turned the tables considerably applying pressure, but not quite panic into the 1871 ranks.  The 1871 scrum had creaked, then broke, so the game had to go to uncontested scrums, for a time and with injuries and a yellow card 1871 went down to 13 players.  This did not, however, prevent Finsbury Park from continuing with their maul game, which they used to perfect advantage and repeatedly scattered some of the 1871 players across the pitch.

The 1871 captain, Kavan Fitzpatrick (8) rallied his troops, as he could clearly be heard from the touchline, giving them stern advice.  This held the team together and recharged their sleeping batteries, so that the 1871 pressure defence took hold once again. 1871 started to choke Finsbury Park again, forcing them well into their half, when suddenly at a breakdown, which was thankfully clean this time, the ball bobbled out, Kavan broke away, scooped it up and ran in from around the 22 metre line probably reminiscing of his days being in the back line.

The cheer went up for what was a really good passage of play, but also of relief at getting that score.

This was a good, tight game of rugby, with it being a real guessing game as to who would come out on top.

The return fixture should be a cracker.

Another challenge next week, so we go again.

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