After a demolition of the opposition the previous week, winning 70-0, Strets were well aware that this would be a very different kind of fixture. Old Paulines have joined us on our difficult and unfortunate journey over the past two seasons, being our relegation partners. Similarly, they had also had comfortable victory over their opposition last week, so this game became an early season top of the table clash between two teams who aim for promotion. It was an exciting day at Frant Road, not least with the days fixture, but also it was Ladies Day, with the bar flowing with plenty of prosecco bringing plenty of fans down to the club on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in South London. A 2s fixture happening at the same time really brought a positive atmosphere and energy to the club.

The team were buoyed early on after learning that inspiring Mens captain Freddy Green was back to lead the boys out after missing the first game of the season. The pre-game warm up featured focus and calm, with players understanding the different task at hand compared to last week. Team run throughs looked sharp, and with no words needed to pump up the team, SCRFC came out to encouraging cheers from spectators to start the game.

A pleasing recurring feature that seems to be developing at the club is a ferocious first 5/10 minutes, with some powerful running and quick ball. This is a far cry from previous seasons, and is something emphasised by new coach Jesse Mackewn and fly half Adam Sheehy. Old Paulines were immediately put on the back foot and rocked with an early try being scored by the home team. Unfortunately too many concussions for the writer of this match report over the years means that I am unable to remember specific try scorers and how they scored, but see a summary of who scored in the match result pane. I'm pretty sure old sexy voice, 9 Tom Bugge, scored the first with a dart around the ruck.

Two or three more tries followed as Streatham-Croydon continued there early dominance, including one by the aforementioned inspirational Freddy Green. A prominent feature which the club always takes pride in is our dominant pack at scrum time. This was no different today with the Streatham-Croydon front row putting on a masterclass of a performance, aptly supported by the engine room at second row behind them. Unfortunately in this period, vice captain and former prop Charlie Pattihis picked up a injury to his quad which prevented further participation in the game. After his stellar performance as captain the previous week, this was a blow. A bit of a midfield rejig then took place, with our hooker Rolstone Langmead going to 12 and another VC Max Thomason heading to 2. Unfortunately our injuries did not end there. Soon after scoring his second of the day, Tom Bugge looked as though something pinged whilst running and took himself off. Following an ACL injury not long ago, no chances were taken as Jonny Orrit, making his debut for the club, coming on sparking another midfield rejig. Freddie Smart, dominating his opposite number at 13, was then moved to 9 to make room for our forward partnership of 12 and 13. Former club captain Adam 'Barney' Barnes then followed after tweaking an already injured ankle, bringing on player coach Jesse Mackewn for his club debut at 7.

Unfortunately these injuries occuring within 15 minutes of eachother impeded the momentum that Strets were building. Old Paulines, looking to test a fresh midfield partnership managed to break the line with some crisp passing to score in the corner. Conceding a try was a new thing to experience for this 21/22 Strets team, and it seemed to rock the boys. Old Paulines scored again, putting Dan Pinn under pressure with some strategic kicking.

Half time, and the message was centred around composure. The team began to play a bit frantic, and needed to tighten things up. However Old Paulines scored again in the corner, with some pace in their midfield exploiting a new and improvised backs line. Que slightly concerned faces on the home side line, who have seen heads drop over the past few seasons and know what that inevitably means.

Not this Strets team though. After some choice words said to the team by senior players, Adam Sheehy and Freddie Smart controlled the game beautifully, with some tight and aggressive running from forwards to slow the game down and keep position essential. However we still went wide when we needed to. The boys turned it on again. What followed was some great play resulting in many more tries, with Freddie Smart completing his hatrick, Sheehy (also scoring 6 cons with the boot), Max and Jonny on his debut all going over the white line. No more points were conceded.

The character shown by the boys to slow down, take a breath and take back control of that game was the main positive for the team. The ability to change mindsets collectively has been a perennial problem, following a difficult period for the club. Top of the table match, convincing win. Lovely.

Next week Strets travel to Woking, in what will be another big fixture as the Mens 1st XV continue in their pursuit of promotion.

Man of the match - Freddy Green (not self-nominated...)
No dick of the day was awarded, however a pint was "downed" by the lynch pin of the scrum, Chis, who dominated his opposite number and provided front foot ball consistently through his powerful scrummaging.