Two weeks after the wanderers impressive performance at home, they stepped in to unchartered territory to Finsbury Park RFC for the first cup game of the season.

Kick off was swift and Finsbury took little time to shift gears and batter the Writtle defence with forward runners running deep from the 9 and 10. Chopping them down to begin with proving difficult at the start and Writtle knew more was needed as a switched off fidel got smashed into the inner mantle after poor tackle form.

Finsbury continued with the ebb and flow of their attack, issuing the wide pitch to crash left and right leading to a simple overlap and a try in the second minute, worrying the wanderers. “Oh goodness gracious me” said Dom or words to that effect. But Writtle weren’t going to just roll over and that was shown in the actions next.

The Writtle kick back saw Kieran Redfern turn majestically and catch the kick off and present, some well drilled runs in the backs gave Writtle five meters plus each time and some threatening runs out wide gave the chosen one, skipper Andy May space to put his head down and dash through the centres and slap it down.

With this try came confidence for Writtle in both attack and defence. Neutralising the big runners especially from plays from line outs with chopping tackles from Tom Fleming and Angus Forshaw, developing from the last game played, put Writtle back in it and as a result, Writtle being able to play with the ball gave Oliver Redfern the time to create opportunities with the space giving Andy May another opportunity to break the sound barrier, running through Kiwis like a green grocer in a hurry and score to put Writtle in the lead.
This being said it was not at all with ease, quick thinking and acting under pressure from a unrecognisable James Gresty and George Ketley meant that big line breakers from Finsbury were met with nothing but cold hard shoulder keeping the lead for as long as possible.

Finsbury Park returned the kick and knock ons and the scrappy play allowed for easy ground to be made against visitors Writtle and the 10 wriggled through a grasping defence to make the game 14-12 to Writtle due to Rob Ketley's kicking form being spot on. The form continued and both teams traded tries to see out the second half.

Writtle began the second half with great continuity however began to tire and lose their way. The fatigue meant that once behind a recovering Writtle line, Finsbury could release their pacy outside centre and winger who scored two in quick succession against a tiring but not defeated Writtle side.

To create space Finsbury incorporated pick n’ go’s into their arsenal but the Writtle pack appeared much more wise too it and didn’t give an inch. Star performance in the pack from the retuning Angus who played with admirable heart defensively and offensively for the whole 80 minutes with the win at Steak, alongside The dynamic duo Elliot Symons and Tom Fleming for persistent rucks and an.... alright bosh. Kieran Redfern played ok, earning hardest tackle of the match...against the referee.

Andy May run well fast to score his THIRD try of the game.

Despite the result which was partly to do with the lapse in the second half, the performance shown was without doubt the best show of grit from individual players this season and for a long time before that. Players played for the badge as well as each other and as a result, conceding early doors, which would usually result in a walkover mad Writtle fight back and fight hard. To continue with that attitude and build for the rest of the season could and should yield promising results for the league matches ahead.

Match Report by: Fidel Decloquement