Strets kicked off their 19/20 season with a feisty home game against Met Police, on a roasting late September Saturday. Even though Strets were missing a fair few key players, it is a testament to our preseason recruitment that they were able to field a very strong 1st XV.

The game began frenetically, with some of the defending from the Strets line not as dominating as they would have liked. We saw a brief glimpse of what new full back Rob Cahnn can do, before experiencing a horrible double leg break and being taken to hospital. Met Police came with a clear gameplan of kicking in behind, and early in the first half this tactic paid off with Joe Reynolds just short of touching the ball down before the Met Police winger. Strets replied shortly after with a well converted penalty from 10 Harry Peddle from in front of the posts. Unfortunately, Strets conceded two more tries, both converted, with some sloppy defending far from the high standards Strets usually hold themselves at. Just before halftime however, some lovely link up play between former prop Charlie Pattihis and new player Freddie Smart sent Joe Reynolds speeding away to score their first try of the season, converted by Harry Peddle.

At half time, the message was to be more dominant in contact and control the ball better. Another converted try scored by Joe Reynolds followed to bring Strets to within 2 points of Met Police. Unfortunately, in a heads gone moment, inspirational captain Freddy Green decided to kick the Met Police 9 3 feet from the referee. In the melee that ensued afterwards, yellow cards were issued to Freddy Green and a Met Police player for his part in the scuffle. Strets battled in the last ten minutes, however to no avail, as Strets fell two points short, gaining a losing bonus point.

Not the scoreline Strets were looking for, but plenty of positives to take forward and work on ahead of our next game, away to London Media.

Man of the Match: Freddie Smart, playing his first game for Strets and performing well at 12 and 9.
Man of Steel: Phil Maytom, consistently winning collisions and making yards from 15.
Dick of the Day: Freddy Green, for booting the nine in front of the ref and finding himself in the bin.