After an eagerly anticipated wait for their first home fixture, Finchley welcomed a large crowd to the club. Before kick-off, supporters remembered the late John Carey and shared their sadness at the news that Cathy Byrne had died on Wednesday 30 September.

Finchley made a lively start. Strong pressure from the forwards created the opening, and Man of the Match Eoin Byrne crossed near the left corner to give the home side a 5–0 lead.

Wymondham had possession but struggled to turn it into points, while Finchley continued to threaten. Robbie Melling gathered his own kick ahead inside the Wymondham 22 and raced over on the right wing to make it 10–0.

On 28 minutes, Finchley produced a well-worked backs move, shifting the ball from left to right and back again. Seb Edwards finished on the left wing to extend the lead to 15–0.

Finchley looked well placed but began to lose their grip on the game. Wymondham took advantage: centre James Ketteridge crossed near the posts on 38 minutes, and stand-in fly-half Ollie Hinsley added the conversion. Hinsley had stepped in because of a bereavement in the first-choice fly-half’s family.

The visitors struck again just before half-time, with right wing Jake Girdler scoring and Hinsley converting. Finchley’s 15-point lead had been cut to just one: 15–14 at the break.

Finchley needed a strong response, and Cian Fitzgerald delivered, scoring the bonus-point try to make it 20–14. Edwards then crossed for his second try of the afternoon, and Dom Goering’s conversion gave Finchley some breathing room at 27–14.

Wymondham were far from finished. They capitalised when Finchley’s defence momentarily slackened, with Henry Wootton scoring their third try. Hinsley converted to make it 27–21.

The visitors kept coming. After building pressure from a penalty, Wymondham sent Ollie Charlish over on the wing. The try secured their bonus point and, with the conversion missed, left Finchley clinging to a 27–26 lead and facing a nervy final minutes.

Then came the Kiddle brothers’ moment in the match - see photo. Ed crossed on the left for Finchley, earning bragging rights over his brother Sandy, who was playing for Wymondham. Goering added the conversion to make it 34–26.

Finchley’s defence held firm through the closing moments to secure a hard-fought win and make it two victories from their first two league matches.

The final whistle was followed by a lively clubhouse, as supporters from both sides shared memories and enjoyed the occasion. Finchley travel to Wanstead next Saturday, 10 October, looking to keep the momentum going.

Finchley Man of the Match: Eoin Byrne
Wymondham Man of the Match: Ollie Hinsley

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