Time For Tiffin

It was a tough fixture with OTs showing why they were at the top of this league. Quick aggressive back play had PJF on the back foot from the off as they failed to collect the kick off and OTs ran in their first try within a minute of the start.

Stung by this PJF, retaliated through a cleared penalty kick that set up a line out some 15 metres from OTs try line. A well taken line out and drive saw flanker Philip Jones cross to even the scores t 5-5. Club Captain, Dan Martin, then exchanged penalties with his OT counterpart. PJF were then on the up as they attacked through quick hands and piercing runs deep into their opponents half. Winger Mark Trumper was unlucky not to score as he rounded off a fluid move only to be held up short in the corner. From this territorial advantage PJF’s forwards exerted pressure on the defence in both first and second phase plays. One sortie resulted in prop James Quigley crossing the line to score PJFs second try.

Another Martin penalty was followed by a slicing break by scrum half James McPartland ably supported by Jones. The following passages of play ended in the ball being spun down the line onto Trumper’s wing. This time he scored and took PJF into halftime 23-11 ahead.

OTs came out of their blocks with a Boom and before PJF could take stock OTs had scored 2 quick tries and converted one. With the scores now level at 23 all it was anybody’s game. PJF however ground out the required possession and territory through good forward graft. Dominant in the scrum and a nuisance in the line out they unsettled the visitors and put them on an uncomfortable back foot. A sharp burst of rain favoured PJF as the ball became slippy and forced OTs into several handling errors. Taking advantage PJF twisted the defence across the paddock until Dan Leidecker, fly half and midfield Marshal, cut back against the grain and slid in for PJFs fourth try and well earned bonus point.

As hard as OTs tried PJF matched them in defence, Martin slotted another penalty to leave PJF ahead 31-23. A nervous 5 minutes ensued as OT threatened to hit PJF with a swift counter attack. But winger Nick Owen was on hand to use a cool head to ensure there were no damaging breaks.

So PJF hoi themselves to seventh in London 3SW and this coming Saturday they visit Teddington.