Finsbury Park travelled north to Royston desperate for a win after a poor run of results. Despite the winless run the team were in good spirits as everyone met early and travelled up on the train together - all save Josh, who didn’t want to go breaking habits.

The team was greeted at Royston by gale force winds as Storm Malik rolled in. The pitch was surrounded by what we Londoners could only describe as a mountain range and made for an epic setting. In the absence of regular coach Gareth Chapman, who was off sunning himself in the Bahamas, injured flanker Will Thomas stepped up to manage the lads, even buying a new coat to really look the part.

The game started physically and Royston welcomed young Finsbury Park Fly Half George into the game early, folding him up like a well-oiled deck chair. The Fins however were able to make the most of their tailwind, with centre Hugo kicking the corners and securing yet another 50:22. Fins forwards kept piling on the pressure, with front rowers Alex and big Sam getting the better of the opposition pack and driving them back towards their try line. With no.8 Pat finessing the ball from the back of the scrum like world class Bristol City playmaker Andy Weimann, the Fins looked destined for a rare push over try before the momentum was stopped just before the line. However they didn’t panic and produced exceptional hands to whip the ball out wide to Hugo, who dotted over from an inch or so out (5-0 Fins).

Finsbury Park continued to look dangerous with Scrum Half Rich and Fly Half George pulling the strings. The Fins backs were really starting to purr as Josh busted over the gain line into the 22 and freed up his hands to produce a perfect pass to handsome winger Freddie [Ed. distasteful but I’ll allow it] who scuttled in for the second try (12-0 Fins). Royston hit back however, marching up the pitch with strong carries and benefitting from Fins ill-discipline and converting a penalty (12-3 Fins). Royston exerted more pressure through strong carrying and won a penalty on Finsbury Park’s try line. A quick tap and go caught Fins napping and saw Royston dive over to score an all-important try against the wind (12-8 Fins).

The Fins replied well with exciting attacking play taking them deep into Royston’s half. More good scrummaging from the titanic Fins pack led to a great opportunity as the backs moved the ball wide. Fullback Jordan whipped a long pass wide to electric winger Conor who ran in for a well deserved try. Royston did have a camera on the sidelines but apparently the TMO couldn’t make it - nonetheless, there’s no doubt that pass was flat as an orange. Fins went into half time leading 19-8 with all to play for.

The second half was a tense affair with Royston getting the upper hand for large periods. However they could not fully assert dominance due to the heroic efforts of flanker Santi, the Columbian Colossus, who tackled ferociously and smashed rucks like a man possessed. Frustration grew for Royston and the red mist came over their second row who tip-tackled Fin’s destructive kiwi Sam Johnson and received a yellow, with Sam proclaiming himself lucky to still be alive.

The second half continued, Fullback Jordan carrying well into the wind as kicking became difficult, showing off with typical steppy line breaks. However, the Fin’s discipline cost them and they were marched back from a pen to kicking range, which was taken (19-11 Fins). As the game tightened up the forwards produced some stellar carrying with flanker Max, hooker Fred and prop Sam getting over the gain line well. The latter only seemed stoppable with a no arms challenge, leading to a second yellow and a red for Royston’s number 8. Second row George Stewart-Phillips also looked good in the loose before being tackled by the air.

Royston weren’t finished yet though and they produced an excellent break down the wing to dive over for a try to make the score 19-16: squeaky bum time. Things were starting to look destined to go the way of recent results. The Fins however seemed to respond to the pressure and fronted up well. An excellent break from talismanic no8 Pat who showed off his ballet like feet, and a timely interception from debut winger Dave Meiklejohn, relieved pressure and earned the Fins a penalty, which was kicked deep into Royston’s half. Fred nailed his arrows and the ball was booted into touch to earn a deserved win on the road for Finsbury Park.

A great win in tough conditions and a 100% win ratio for stand-in manager Will Thomas, whose sights are now set on climbing the coaching ranks to one day manage his beloved England.

MOTM Santi Garcia
DOTD Fred Bromley [Ed. shame no-one could remember why - some things are just lost to the winds of history]