A crisp autumn afternoon in Acton hailed Finsbury Park Super 2's 3rd game of the season. After a dirty deal involving a lot of beer and sly tactics, Captain John Musson abdicated the responsibility of writing a report on the match and it fell instead to a royal Flucker.

The whistle blew and kick off was followed by an absolutely ferocious chase and tackle. Finsbury started with some strong levels of intensity as planned but some sadly merely hypothetical tackles resulted in the first score of the game, leaving Acton up 7-0.

Play resumed and it was time for the first scrum of the game. The combined might of Buckley, Musson, Crowie, Griffiths, Graham, Micklethwait, Platt and Murray ensured the retention of the ball by Fins against some strong west-Londoners. Pete Murray gathered the ball, respectfully declining the gracious offer of support from his backs and went on the first of many post-scrum runs. Alas, possession was lost, but Aslan managed to intercept a pass and level the number of tries. Matt converted, levelling the score overall.

Two very well-matched teams continued playing against each other, but the next score came from the home side after an audacious kick from the right hand side of the 22 to the back left of a narrow try-zone. No rational person could have expected that to be scorable, so to a large extent these next 5 points for Acton are merely a testament to their own naivety in the judgement of projectile motion. Nevertheless it gave them a 12-7 lead.

The Herculean effort throughout the game from Finsbury Park was a recurring positive theme and like all great battles, some casualties came to be. Glen Crowie, having been a stalwart of the front row from the first whistle, was tackled off the ball, twisting his knee. Rather than kick the ass of his assailant in a non-rugby-ish but clearly morally legitimate way, Glen chose to excuse himself like a gentleman and enjoyed a nice sit down with Zoe. We wish him well, and if you would like to donate to his fund for a personal wheelchair, please feel free to do so but note well that he is completely capable of walking around.

This left the Fins in a mildly awkward position. After some googling of the finer details of the laws of the game, the referee informed us this meant we had to continue playing with only 14 men since we had no substitute front row players. This, however, is famously a scenario for which Finsbury Park Super 2's are astonishingly well-prepared. Last week they secured a result with a 1-point difference in scores with 13 men only.

Half-time arrived and valid praise was shared, as well as an understanding that our strength and best chances of success going forward lay with improved ruck-security and utilisation of the wings. Acton were also insulted for being a bit on the old side which boosted the morale of the youthful and beautiful Super 2's.

When play resumed Finsbury continued to show themselves in an excellent light, with Durrell Carter embodying the sought after ruck-security like a bouncer of Mount Olympus. Small chinks in the armour of our credit-worthy defence led to the concession of some penalties (despite the referee's plea before the game that no penaties be conceded because he "did arms" in the gym the day before...), one of which was capitalised on by Acton's number 10, a strong kicker in fairness despite the obvious personality flaw of choosing to play for a West London club over the unquestionably most desirable rugby association inside (or out) the M25: The Fins.

Effort, effort, effort, dedication, dedication, dedication - Aslan Debut-Fly-Half Kaplan drew inspiration from poorly Glen and invited a dangerous armless tackle from an Acton player. This resulted in a steal of the ball and, shortly after, another Acton try. Aslan voiced his concerns about this dangerous illegal play but the referee insisted that he can only take action on what he sees.

Undeterred, Finsbury Park continued to play for each other and for the club. Alec MickIethwait managed to combine the whole team's commendable work ethic with skill and luck, sneaking through a gap left by two Actonian forwards before graciously passing the ball to George MacDuff who placed it into the goal area with all the skill of a 6 year old who has learned how to put hints into lathe correct box. More impressively still, he converted this try from the 5 metre line and brought Finsbury within 8 points of the home team.

Hearts were in the game, Jersey's skills as a waterboy were on full display, Zoe had started to regret agreeing to be physio and Finsbury Park were making the most of every moment left in the game. Carries were being made by debut (to rugby union altogether) Vlad, classy kicks were a feature of the game thanks to debut (to Finsbury Park) Sam P, and spectating players from the later-to-play first team were wearing cowboy hats in a mad show of support. Unfortunately, no man (or rugby club) can control everything. Acton cheekily got one more try on their home turf and won the game 25-14.

Finsbury Park RFC

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