Streatham travelled to Bec Old Boys in Tooting for their toughest fixture so far with the home side always being a difficult side to beat on their sloping and narrow pitch. Bec have also started the season well and were just one place behind Streatham in the League so this was always going to be a difficult encounter.

Prior to the match a minutes silence was held as a mark of respect to those killed and injured in the terrible events in Paris overnight.

Constant rain and driving wind made for the most difficult conditions this season and mean that Strets had to play a more limited game plan than they have adopted so far this season. With a side featuring several changes due to injury and unavailability Adam ‘Barney’ Barnes made a notable League debut at No8 with several surging runs and big hits whilst Jody Freeman stepped into the front row. Starting off with the slope in their favour Elvin Grant intercepted and early Bec move to run in from his own 22 and score what was to be the only try of the day. Bec responded strongly and controlled possession for much of the half but failed to threaten Strets line thanks to some strong defence. When Streatham did gain possession they looked dangerous with ball in hand and one break by Williams fed skipper Cassemis and then was continued by Josh Smith who fed Grant who was only stopped by a last ditch Bec tackle. Streatham then conceded two penalties which were well kicked by the Bec fly half for them to take the lead 6-5 before another surging movement saw Streatham awarded a penalty which Williams slotted to make the score 8-6 at half time.

Playing up the slope in the second half Streatham conceded an early penalty to go behind once again but then managed to control possession for much of the half. Despite constant pressure inside the Bec 22 the Thornton Heath side were unable to cross the line despite Allsop, Ogbonna and Smith all going close but the only reward was a Cassemis penalty to take the lead once again at 11-9. Bec are a side with character and with the light fading worked their way onto the Streatham half and were awarded two penalties in the last minute. The Bec fly-Half kicker narrowly missed both so in the end Streatham will feel fortunate to of won a game which should have been settled earlier in the half.

Next week Strets face another tough match at home to London Media and with several players returning from unavailability and injury the selectors will be making some difficult decisions.
Streatham’s 2nd XV continued their good run with a 32-5 win over Racal-Decca 1st XV whilst the 3rd XV lost narrowly to Merton having already been awarded the League points when Reeds 3rd XV cried off the scheduled fixture.