Streatham-Croydon recorded their seventh win of the season at Frant road on Saturday with a 28-19 victory over Old Oundelians, writes Ben Alsop.
They certainly made it difficult for themselves though by having three players sin-binned in quick succession in the second half.
It was a game that promised much during a first half which ebbed and flowed with both teams trading penalties and attacking positions.
The soft spring sun and gentle breeze lent itself to quick, fluid rugby and it was the visiting side who seemed perversely at home.
Streatham started slowly, a calling card of their season so far, and were soon down 6-3.
It has often taken a leading performance to galvanise Streatham and thankfully such a performance was forthcoming from flanker Tim Riley.
Ever willing to make yards with ball in hand and prevent the visiting side making similar inroads, he was eventually rewarded in the final throws of the first half with a try following a strong, dominant Streatham scrummage.
This try was the second of the half for the home side who, through Captain Brian Dargan, had opened their account with one of the tries of the season.
It was a try that owed much to spontaneity and quick hands following a swift attack down the left hand side of the pitch which saw three offloads in quick succession before Ian Park straightened the line to eventually feed Dargan to touch down.
A dominant end to the first half looked set to herald a comfortable win for the home side but with Old Oundelians scoring first after the break, such a prediction looked on decidedly shaky ground.
It must be admitted that Streatham did their utmost to not simply shoot themselves in the foot but blow their feet clean off and beat themselves over the head with them.
In quick succession the referee saw fit to sin bin three Streatham players for a litany of offences, including swinging and missing with the fist, handling in the ruck and being persistently offside.
The numerical disadvantage did result in a visiting score but with three players out of action plaudits must be heaped upon the remaining members of the home side.
It turned out to be a defensive display of some repute and was justly rewarded when both Aaron Brown and Simon Hampton touched down to allay any fears of a visiting resurgence.
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