In a pulsating clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats the touchline, Finsbury Park Rugby Club and Hendon Rugby Club battled it out in their first/last warm-up game before the new season.

Both teams displayed incredible skill, determination, and resilience throughout the match, but it was Hendon who emerged victorious, narrowly edging out Fins in a high-scoring contest.

The match began with a bang, Jay Moriarty's opening kick was knocked on by opposition putting the Fins straight on to the 22 metre line. The Fins did what they could to capitalise on this: a scrum leads to a penalty, leads to a lineout, leads to a maul, leads to another scrum.

This scrum saw the ball going out to our blindside winger John Startin, who did his best to run laterally across the pitch, but was caught up in triple coverage. A lofty attempt from Startin to offload the ball lead to your author receiving a mind spinning hospital pass, a surprise tackle from behind, and in all the confusion caused him to present the ball to the opposition....

Hendon capitalised on this and with the help of a penalty kick, worked their way up to the Fins 10 metre line with a lucky break through the centres. Looking to redeem myself from my faux pas just minutes ago, your narrator worked with No.15 James Stables to close down the attackers and made a try saving tackle 5m out from underneath the posts.

Play slowed down and the ball changed teams a lot over the next 10 minutes, however it was inevitable that somebody would score soon - and Hendon were the first over the line. A try in the corner and a missed conversion put them in the lead 5-0.

Another 10 minutes go past and Hendon are in full control of the ball; they win 3 scrums in a row and march their way forward into Finsbury territory - they work the ball well from side to side and put it down just outside of the posts. Converting, they make it 12-0.

2nd quarter begins and Finsbury Park are hungry for points. The kick return is knocked on by Hendon and Park pushes forward, the forwards doing a great job working it from side to side, drawing in the enemy and eventually forcing a penalty. Jay kicks for touch and it's a Finsbury Park lineout. Sean Ridley, playing his domestic debut, sends the ball in perfectly. Caught and taken by the Fins, Sean rushes in to join the maul, but not content with his contributions already, he guides the pack over the line and puts the ball down for Finsbury Park's first points. Marc just misses the conversion. 12-5.

It's a Finsbury Park ball. Playing to our structures we work it from side to side and up the pitch, every ruck is being secured and Hendon don't know what to do. A ball is passed out right then back across to the left to number 10. Jay storms forward and after a textbook dummy steps on the gas and races past the confused defenders to put it down straight under the posts. Startin converts. 12-12

The seesaw battle continues as a few lucky breaks from Hendon see them break through the line with their big props and score under the post, twice in quick succession.
19-12
26-12

Half Time

Hendon kick off and earn a few early scrums: using these, they work the ball out to their wings who cut inside and slip past the defenders to put another try down just outside the posts. Hendon converts 33-12.

But the game isn't over yet. Marc takes over and kicks off leading to a moment of inspiration from No.8 Pete Murray to chase down the ball to tackle the Hendon prop and cause a crucial knock on. A show of dominance that would set the tone for the rest of the game.

The ball changes sides multiple times, with debut scrum half Dan McNeaney confidently shifting the ball from side to side. Over the following quarter both teams escalated the intensity in their tackles, but only one side kept cool under the pressure as Hendon is given their first yellow for a high tackle.

We're into the final quarter; Fins win a scrum and want to go wide but are stopped short by an eager Hendon forward. However that tackle would be their downfall, as Jay is down in a ruck, a red ball is played out to Prop Charlie Stevens who switches on the afterburners and launches off into an impressive sprint straight through the line, throwing in a dainty step against the Hendon 15 to put himself safely into space and running it in underneath the posts. John converts 33-19.

If you didn't believe me that a prop had the speed to break through the line, you'll be in deep denial when I tell you the same man did it again immediately afterwards. From our 22 to theirs, Charlie steamed past 5 Hendon men to be stopped just shy of the try line, if only he'd had some backs that could keep up. Eventually the team showed up to secure the ball and after a few clean phases of play, outside centre Josh Tysseling got ball to hand and ran it over the line for another try. John converts 33-26

Hendon restart and the name called out for the catch is Ed Allington: whether it was the heat, the sun in his eyes, or the number of tackles he'd put in so far, it was too much for him and the ball is dropped, causing his teammate to knock the ball on and earn himself DotD. A scrum in Fins 22 is exactly what Hendon needed to regain some momentum and they wasted no time sending out wide. After a few phases of play they find a weak spot in the defence and put the ball down in the corner. Missed conversion 38-26

Another kick off and another forced turnover, Fins fight valiantly and win a scrum, then a penalty kick for touch, and Hendon receive another yellow for high tackles. Unfortunately the ball is lost forward out of the lineout, but quick reactions from the pack saw them drive back the Hendon offence and force a fumble. No hesitation from debut second rower Joe Bell as he dives on the ball over the line to secure the try and win him MotM. John misses conversion, 38-31.

In the end, despite Fins' valiant efforts, Hendon emerged victorious with a final score of 38-31. Fins may have fallen short, but their fighting spirit will undoubtedly see them bounce back stronger for the start of the regular season!

Tries: Sean, Jay, Charlie, Josh, Joe
MOTM: Joe
DOTD: Ed