Hackney side lose two in two weeks

London Division Two North East

Canvey Island 49 Old Streetonians 32

Old Streetonians continued to learn hard lessons on Saturday, after their second consecutive defeat in two weeks.

This is not a feeling the Onians are used to, having risen to these giddy heights of London II with three successive promotions. But the harsh realities are there for all to see, with the Islanders proving to be the fitter and more physical side, powering away with three converted tries in the final 10 minutes.

“We just weren’t physical enough today” said captain Nick Barham.

“We struggled all over the park, but it all comes down to physicality and aggression, and we didn’t show enough of either. We’re going to have to turn it on next week if we’re going to turn this season around.”

It could have been so different for Street. In blustery conditions, they showed good hands to put their in-form wingers in space for two scores within the opening 20 minutes, to go 14-0 up.

Perry and McAndrew will again be battling it out for top try scorer this season.

But Canvey soon found their rhythm, their rumbling game around the fringes making consistent yards against a fragile Old Street defence.

It wasn’t particularly sophisticated, but it was effective; 3 tries and a penalty put the hosts half time lead at 22–14.

Street battled back early in the second half, with two penalties from Dan Massie bringing the score back to 25 – 20.

But another penalty for Canvey meant Street were pushing for two scores going into the final 10 minutes.

Their cause wasn’t helped with a raft of injuries, hooker and captain Mackay leaving with a gash to the head, and McAndrew departing with grazed knees to leave Street down to 14.

The challenge was too much for a tiring Street side, who had no answer to Canvey’s backs ruthlessly exploiting the space.

Aided by some lacklustre defence, Canvey were left to run-in three unanswered scores in the final minutes.

Once again, Street lacked the physicality required to compete.

There is no shortage of skills, but no platform is being provided for them to be used. Street need to toughen up, and fast.

Old Streetonians: O’Shea, Mackay (Barham 70), McCarthy, Silverstone, Fountain, Andrews (Douglas 50), Webster, Gibson, McAtominey, Ingleby, Perry, Atkinson (Atkinson 60), Goss, McAndrew, Massie.