Streatham-Croydon, under new Head Coach, Bob Dickinson, got off to a winning start overcoming Mill Hill RFC 34-22. Preseason training has gone very well with a significant increase in numbers and a number of new recruits promising a good season for all 3 senior men's sides and with the ever expanding ladies, girls and junior sections there is a real buzz around the club at the moment.

The senior XV made the long trek across London with a different looking squad. From the start they performed well as a team with some notable performances however simple errors and a number of new combinations taking time to gel meant that Mill Hill were able to match Streatham score for score until the latter part of the game. Streatham's scrum, with 'Bubba' Darlington returning from a long term injury was dominant with debutant Garth Biggins not only providing power in the 2nd row but was prominent in the loose as well and Martin Hindshaw moving into the front row for the first time, was a very physical presence around the park. New back rower Jordan Bradley was also as significant presence. Vinnie Auguistine got the first try following excellent phase play from the forwards but Mill Hill hit back with a quick score before excellent paly by the Streatham centres but the South London side 10-5 up only for a missed tackle to allow Mill Hill another score. Streatham followed with more pressure but were unable to get over the line and a break out and some elusive running by the very quick Mill Hill winger saw them go in under the posts for a 17-10 half time lead.

Streatham started the second half strongly and good approach play from the back row saw Chris Geary, an influential figure at full back, go over to bring the score back to 17-15. Debutant Dominic Gallagher then replaced Bradley and had an immediate making a big hit in midfield snaffling the loose ball and evading several would be tacklers to score. The resulting conversion kicked by Kai Cassemis put Streatham 22-17 ahead only for another missed tackle enabling Mill Hill, who to their credit kept coming back at Streatham, a further score to level things at 22 all.

Skipper Cassemis and Vice captain Jack Peddle, who ably led the team throughout, then marshalled their troops for a big final effort which resulted in multiple phases of driving play by the forwards with Augustine eventually powering over which with the conversion kicked by Cassemis again meant Strets were 29-22 up but not to be outdone and following further good driving work from the forwards replacement prop forward Parker powered over on the final whistle to make the final score 34-22. Streatham will be pleased by the result but also will know that there is a lot of improvement to come and with a number of players returning from unavailability and injury completion for places will be high.

Next Saturday Streatham have the next round of the cup at home to Essex Outfit Stanford-Le-Hope and will be hoping to continue the positive start to the season