Finchley 1 step closer to silverware!!

Finchley were looking to use this fixture to get their season back on track after 2 disappointing loses in the league, it was also a chance to give some new faces a chance to show their credentials in the 1st team.

Finchley got off to a great start applying early pressure on the Hitchin pack and some good running in open play. Will Eaton provided Bryden Fraser with a pass that capped off a nice move to open the scoring early for Finchley, Tuft converted.

Hitchin then kicked off and Finchley immediately made yards into the oppositions half, this resulted in an error form the Hitchin back line that Alex McCarthy pounced on and passed on to James Collingwood who slid over for the 2nd score of the game, Tuft converted 14-0.

After this early spell of dominance some lapses in concentration and some good work by the Hitchin pack meant the men in red in white had to absorb some pressure in their 22. Although some great defence and solid clearance kicks by Williams, Saliba and Mclatchie meant that Hitchin could not capitalise on this pressure.

Some good play from Finchley towards the end of the half pinned Hitchin back and should have resulted in more scores.

14-0 at half time.

Following some stern words from James Clarke at half time Finchley came out all guns blazing in the 2nd half and quickly scored through Victor Coker, with the big man collecting a the ball after a charge down by Alex McCarthy. Missed conversion 19-0.

Finchley then made some personnel changes which saw Padriag Lynch move to full back and Joe Mclatchie into the 12 spot, Will Dalton also came on for his usual 30 minutes of tackling and generally making a nuisance of himself.

Soon after these changes Finchley won a scrum against the head and quickly moved the ball out to Coker who crossed the line for his 2nd of the afternoon. 24-0.

For the next 20 minutes things descended into a typical winter day of rugby with both sides not putting plays together and preferring to have a good old fight than play rugby.

After this the Finchley team were able to put together some nice passing to send Padriag Lynch over for his debut try for the 1st team.

Final Score 34-5

This win helped the men from Summers land to gain some confidence before the next 4 leagues games before the Christmas Break and showed the coaching staff that we have some good strength and depth in the team.

All 19 played well with Bryden 'the pacifist' Fraser, McCarthy and Williams standing out, but Man of the Match went to the ever consistent James Collingwood

Next week sees league action resume against bottom team Stevenage and Finchley will be looking for a big win to propel them back up the league before the tough test of Fullerians on the 30th.