On Saturday this 1st team ran out against Old Ruts knowing that they had to get our basics right. Knowing that a win would take the team to within a point of 4th place the fixture took on a little bit of added spice as it would allow Streatham a chance to close the gap with the top of the table and get their season back on track.

With several changes to the team the squad were keen to get off to a flying start. And straight from the kick off the team set out their stall with some good phase play followed by a cheeky box kick over the top which the Old Ruts Full Back dropped forward under pressure, the ball then bounced straight into the hands of the on rushing Kai Cassemis would gleefully dived over for the opening score within the first few minutes of the game.

Just a few minutes later Elvin Grant was given a pass surrounded by several defenders whom he fended off and his acceleration took him away from the last man for Elvin to score on debut. This was just the start that Streatham were looking for, 10 minutes gone and 12 points to nil ahead.

What followed was effectively 20 minutes of good hard defence by the team combined with a little lapse of concentration when it came to the attack as first the players tried to bring the Joie de vivre then came a little unstuck and then started to force passes. In shot the boys were a little bit guilty of thinking the flood gates were just going to open and seemed to forget that Old Ruts weren't as bad as the opening 10 minutes had suggested and that actually we were going to have to work hard for it.

And then Streatham regained their control with first Grant scoring his second of the day followed by Ed Williams scoring his first of the day scoring of a pass from the imperious Cassemis.

Streatham went into the break 26 - 0 ahead.

The second half got off to a cagey start as once again Streatham gone the defence off to a massive start, lead very ably by Man of the Match Michael James Parker who really put a barnstorming defensive performance in all the way through the game. The holes started to appear and the team started to really find some space to attack and but for the final pass not sticking to hand there was a really concern from the home supporters that a seriously large score was on the cards.

However Old Ruts opened the second half with a penalty on 10 minutes and then 20 minutes in after a constant barrage of defensive effort, Jack Peddle chased a charge down kick to score his first try for the club in three years. 10 minutes later Max Dawe, another enjoying his first real start scored his first of the match.

Old Ruts scored a try against the run of play following a few minutes of unnecessary penalties conceded by Streatham but by this stage the game was already put to bed. Dawe then scored a few minutes before the end of the game to wrap up the scoreline.

Defensively there were some massive performances by Streatham and with three first team regulars due back next week, it is really difficult to see how we can fit everyone in.

Streatham close out 2014 against Merton at Home on Saturday