Finchley RFC kicked off their clash with Hackney in electrifying fashion, wasting no time in stamping their authority on the game. A penalty in Hackney’s 22 after just three minutes set the stage for Hugo Murray, who sliced through the defence on the right wing to dot down and give the hosts an early 5-0 lead. Despite controlling possession, Finchley struggled to convert pressure into points until the 21st minute, when livewire winger Michael O’Reilly produced a moment of magic. Collecting the ball on the left flank, O’Reilly weaved across the entire pitch, evading defenders before crashing over on the right to extend the lead to 10-0.

Hackney retaliated swiftly, capitalizing on a Finchley error in the 27th minute. Fullback Ryan Marshall seized on loose play, launching a blistering solo run from his own half down the left touchline to score a superb individual try (10-5). Undeterred, Finchley’s response was emphatic. A clever tap penalty just three minutes later saw the forwards battering Hackney’s line, with Sam Green powering over on the left to restore the 10-point advantage (15-5), a lead they carried into halftime.

The second half began with Finchley in ruthless mood. A barnstorming run from centre Ed Kiddle ignited the attack, with swift interphase passing allowing Green to thunder over for his second try—and Finchley’s bonus-point score—just minutes after the restart (20-5). The hosts’ dominance only grew. A daring short lineout in Hackney’s 22 on 49 minutes saw flanker Cian Fitzgerald crash through a gap to notch Finchley’s fifth try (25-5).

The floodgates had well and truly opened. A quick-tap penalty on 62 minutes sent O’Reilly scorching through a tired defence for his second try (30-5), before the winger completed his hat-trick nine minutes later. A relentless forward drive created space for O’Reilly to dive over untouched, capping a stellar personal performance (35-5). The final flourish came from replacement Alex Tagg, who finished a slick left-wing move in the dying moments to seal a resounding 40-5 victory.

Looking Ahead
Finchley’s 1st XV now enjoy a fortnight’s rest before traveling to Hackney Marshes on Saturday 1st March to face Old Streetonians. With momentum firmly in their corner, the squad will aim to carry this clinical form into the latter stage

Match Reporter -Steven Rigby