East London 3'sV May & Baker 2's

EL3's match was moved to May & baker at late notice because of a fixture clash at the Memorial ground. EL's preparations were hampered by the late arrival of the kit due to, transport problems.
From the KO May & Baker showed strong & direct running, skills which caused EL problems. Early pressure led to a try for the home side. The conversion was missed.
EL then worked hard from the restart to put pressure on the home team. From the first scrum it was obvious that EL were going to dominate the set piece. A series of scrums & probing runs by the backs resulted in EL being camped in the opposition 22. Sustained pressure led to EL being awarded a penalty. John Higginson converted 5-3. London continued to press hard, but were foiled by some determined tackling from the home side, who also tested the EL defensive line. London kicked forward & put pressure on the home full back who had his clearance kick charged down London Full back Frank Murphy pounced on the lose ball for an easy try. John Higginson added the extra points 5-10.
During the half time break EL were informed by the referee that the 2nd half would be uncontested scrums, due to May & Baker not being able to cope with the EL scrummage.
The early second half pressure came from Bakers strong running backs, off the static scrum. they slowly made their way to the EL line.
From a scrum the home No 8 picked up & drove over, the try was converted. 12-10 from the restart London lost possession & the home centre went in for a try which was also converted 19-10.
The game then became a succession of both teams working hard to either close the game out or rescue it. The tackling was strong & both sides had several opportunities to score, poor handling was to blame for most of the missed opportunities After some EL pressure John Maher was released on the left wing, he stepped in wrong footing the defence to go in under the posts. John Higginson kicked the conversion with a drop goal 19-17 The referee indicated that there was three minutes left. London regathered the kick off & worked hard to make progress up the field EL were turned over illegally penalty to EL in their 22. EL hit up the middle committing the defence, after two more drives which brought EL up to the opposition 10 meter line, the play was becoming ragged & London were aware that this was their last chance. John Higginson broke to the left & was confronted by a single defender, in a classic 2 on 1 he commited the man & offloaded to Matt Kiernan who was left with the run in from just inside the 22. With two tacklers coming in Matt kept a cool head and dotted down as soon as he crossed the line. The conversion was missed 19-22 Full time. The away win points for London will be valuable in a very hard league.