Hackney Marshes outfit end their losing run

London North-East Two

Old Streetonians 27 Beccles 15

Old Streetonians ended their four-game losing run with a win over bottom of the table Beccles on Saturday.

It was not a vintage performance, but Street did enough to stop the rot and put an end to any thoughts that this was going to be a long tough season.

Street, after all, have not been used to losing for the past four seasons.

After a lacklustre first half, and after conceding early in the second half, Street came from behind to take the points, the only disappointment of the day was that the four try bonus point was not taken, against one of the weaker defences in the league.

Street started slowly, and conceded early, as they have so often this season. Unable to deal with the driving maul, Beccles rumbled over from a lineout after Street failed to clear their lines in the opening exchanges.

Barham replied with two penalties, before Beccles cancelled one out, to take a two point lead into the oranges.

As Street tried to run out of their own half in the second period, now with the wind at their backs, a dropped ball and turnover allowed Beccles to score in the corner, and a good conversion saw the lead stretched even more.

It was vital for Street to get back early, and almost immediately the home side were on the attack.

After some good tactical kicking from fly-half Dunn, Street mounted an assault on the Beccles line.

Some fine hands through the backs line found Perry on the right, who showed good strength to drive over with tacklers hanging off him.

Swainston was next to cross, being put through by the mercurial Dunn after he ghosted through a gap in the line.

An easy conversion saw Street go into a 20 -15 lead, and take control of the game, dominating the remaining territory and possession.

They didn’t have it all their own way though, a break from halfway was neatly cleaned up by Perry on his own line, the winger showing he’s more than just a finisher.

As Beccles came again, with about 15 minutes now remaining, a long pass from their scrum half was picked off by Barham in the centres.

With work still to do to beat the covering defenders, Barham arced his run to finish under the posts.

Now all that was on offer was the bonus point; for Street for the fourth try, for Beccles to finish within seven points.

It was Streets turn first, the forwards trying to bash away after a lineout in the Beccles 22.

When this came to nothing, and the with the clock already past 80 minutes, Beccles launched a series of attacks that made over half the pitch from their own line.

As Street struggled to contain Beccles, the division’s bottom side were halted only by an indiscretion at the ruck, ending an entertaining finale to what turned out to be an entertaining game.

Street make the long trip to Ipswich this Saturday, where they face a team with the same win-loss record as them.

A win will be crucial for the London side to maintain any momentum gained, and pull them clear of the relegation scrap.

Old Streetonians: O’Shea (Hollingsworth 40), Mackay, Wollaston, Silverstone, Jones, Andrews, Purser (Mills 40), Atkinson, Georganas, Dunn, Atkinson, Swainston, Barham, Perry, Massie (Hossack 60).