The 1st team travelled to Mitcham this week for what was turning out to be a very crucial game. Having lost 4 in a row the boys were determined to actually make amends for the poor first half against Worth Old Boys. Training during the last couple of weeks had focused on enabling the players to see their options more clearly and equipping them with alternatives when the base structure wasn't playable.

And during the game it was plain to see that the hard work had paid off, and before we wait any longer it must be said that this game was an entirely one sided affair, which could have been a rout if final passes had gone to hand.

Significantly for the game, last minute changes to the starting line up actually paid dividends early on. From kick off Streatham were out to make a mark, with a good chase seeing Martin Hindshaw smash the ball carrier to the ground with Michael James Parker then clearing through the opposition guards to force a turnover from which Mitcham were penalised for hand in the ruck and coming round the side. The penalty kicked for touch, Streatham then caught and drove towards the line with the ball being grounded successfully. Unfortunately for the pack the referee was unsighted and the try disallowed. Streatham then responded by staying in the Mitcham 22 for the next 15 minutes although unable to convert the final pass into a scoring one, with several opportunities being squandered.

The game then settled into a rhythm of long periods of Streatham dominance being camped inside the opposition half but never quite being able to find the scoring pass and then Mitcham finding an opportunity, normally through penalties, to clear their lines. Finally early in the second half on a Mitcham put into the scrum 10 yards from their line, Streatham drove through a stole the ball against the head and Jonny Korcz at Number 8 was able to pick the ball up and cross the line virtually unimpeded. Tim Perry slotted the conversion.

And that was all there was to the game. Streatham could have had several tries but for the final pass and the pack were their usual dominate self and Jake Doherty again putting in a massive defensive display to win Man of the Match.

Next week brings fellow strugglers Old Glynonians down to Brigstock Rd for another must win hame. Streatham will feel a lot more confident going into the game having finally gotten the monkey off their back by winning a game, but actually more significantly by actually preventing the opposition from scoring which after the Worth result was a return to type for the 1s.