A good way to start the new season!!

With the weather playing a factor in the proceedings it became clear early on that the team that could execute on their patterns of play and put together phases of play would have a good chance of taking the spoils.

The match started with Hitchin kicking off and for the first 10 minutes to became clear that both teams were getting into the swing of the 2018 season. In this first period of play both team were putting in lots of territorial kicks and backing this up with good defence. With Finchley also turning over the ball in the opening exchanges it became clear that if the forwards could continue in this vain it would provide the backs with the counter attack ball they would need.

The first try of the afternoon however came from a moved used well by Finchley over the years. With a Finchley scrum on the half way line, Jack Mousley was able to pick and offload to Inigo Saxon-Stone, who shifted the ball quickly onto Tom Lewin, although the number 14 had a lot to do for the spectators it was never in doubt that the winger would finish off the well worked move. Try converted by Tom Williams, 7-0

Following this early try the men in red and white came under some pressure from the opposition but due to some fabulous last ditch tackling and some powerful hits Finchley were able to keep the visitors out.

After relieving this pressure, Finchley were then straight on the attack. Will Eaton fielding a kick in the back field and making a fine run that provided the backs again with the quick ball they needed. Some great offloading from Dom Goring and Jon Ferriday meant the ball found its way to Saxon-Stone who dived over for Finchley’s second try. Converted by Williams, 14-0.

Once again following this try Finchley found themselves under pressure which led to the the home side conceding a try from the scrum. 14-5

With the away team getting into the game this lifted their spirits and following the re-start the Hertfordshire men looked like a different team. With the Hitchin number 4 breaking down the side line it looked as though Finchley’s lead would be short lived, but an excellent tap tackle from David Tufft brought down the Hitchin player. The away team then tried to force the pass somewhat and spilt the ball, this was pounced on and shipped wide to Goring who showed his opposite man a clean pair of heels to go over for Finchley’s 3rd try before half time. Conversion missed, 19-5.

The 2nd half got underway and the home side were quite clearly still sucking on their half time oranges, which led to Hitchin running in the simplest of tries to make the score 19-12.

With the game now in the balance and both teams looking for the next score, there were a number of mistakes made by both sides which meant the game was tense for those on the side lines.

Finchley were however through Williams able to convert a penalty during this period which put the home side 2 scores ahead. 22-12.

With the game teetering to an end Finchley left their best and bonus point try late. A quickly taken tap penalty by Saxon-Stone put Finchley on the front foot, he then offloaded to Williams who in turn found Ferriday who floated a lovely pass over the top to Lewin and the winger finish off from 40 metres out. Williams converted, final score 29-12.

The home side could not have asked for a better way to start the season, a bonus point win against a team who have caused them problems in recent years. It is fair to say that Finchley will no doubt come across some sterner tests this season but if this group of players can stick together and train together then the Finchley faithful will be able to look forward to watching more of the same free-flowing rugby this season down at Summers Lane.

Next week Finchley welcome OMTs who also got their season off to a winning start.

Up the Finch!!!