A cold and frosty day at Barn Elms playing fields saw PJF turned up and met a less than enthusiastic opposition. Riled by the fact that the home team were prevaricating about playing the game because of the frost, having given the go ahead on Friday but then had not communicated their feelings before the deadline for calling off the game. PJF were keen to play. The game kicked off and the opposition looked unenthusiastic for the task in hand and were soon under pressure. PJF piled on the pressure and were 5-0 up within 5 minutes. 'This was going to be easy.' PJF thought and took their foot off the pedal. Exiles came roaring back, shrugging off their early reticence driving up the middle and forcing PJF onto the back foot. The response forced PJF into conceding a number of penalties in their 22. Exiles then kicked one of their penalties to close the gap. From the kick off Exiles drove into PJF using the short passes up the middle of the pitch before switching it out wide, they were beginning to create overlaps that were starting to make PJF's defence look naive. Eventually the pressure took its toll and from a driving maul Exiles drove over the PJF line close to the posts. The extras were added and PJF found themselves 10-5 down. Roused into action PJF strove to reverse the momentum Exiles had created. After a number of rucks and mauls PJF crashed over the Exiles line to level the scores. There was still time on the clock for the half to take another turn and after a maul close to PJF's line an Exile broke from the maul to find no body at home and they scored, a try cheaply bought. Tha half closed out with a score of 17-10.

At half time PJF had the speach from Henry V from Callum which incorporated contemporary vernacular to crystalise the meaning for the listening audience. This seem to galvanise PJF and it was like watching a different side in the second half. The defensive line was up fast forcing Exiles into errors. The errors led to PJF pressure which resulted in penalties. Eventually a penalty within kicking range was awarded. Joe Rendell kicked the points nad the gap closed to 17-13. From the restart Exiles tried to reimpose their control of the game but PJF's defence was sharper in the half and they forced the turnover. In the ensuing drive down towards the Exiles half Ben Payne picked up a yellow card. This did not deter PJFs determination and a few minutes later PJF had another penalty within kickable range. Joe stepped up and slotted the 3 points, it was now a one point game.

FRom the restart Exiles again starte to exert some pressure but the PJF defence held firm and again turned the ball over and a sweeping move down the pitch saw PJF go over to take the lead 17-23 after the extras were added. Exile were beginning to flag, reduced to 14 through an injury PJF were starting to win the battle for control. After a turn over in the PJF 22m Phil Jones broke out of the 22m and made it to almost to the half way line before off loading to George Goldspink who ran the remaining half to cement a solid lead. The kick was missed. After a passage of play PJF found themselves in the Exiles 22m. Luca Bellavia toook the ball on and having run a few yards across the pitch was half tackled and had the ball dislodged. From the following passage of play an incident happened that resultes in Bella being shown a red card. From the penalty Dom Hughes tackled the Exiles ball carrier. Although he was driven back and picked up Dominic did not turn the player t dmp him on his head or neck, however the referee penalised Dom and a few seconds later produced as yellow card. Reduced to 13 men with about two minutes to play PJF faced up to the penalty and Exiles tapped and went, but they met stern resistance and the pressure resulted in PJF being awarded a penalty with a little under 2 minutes on the clock. Sensibly the opted to go for the points which Joe stepped up and kicked. The final score 17-31 to PJF.

A footnote to the game saw, to their great credit, an Exiles player talk to the referee explaining that Bella had not in fact thrown a punch and all that happened was that the Exiles player had been pushed. The referee agreed to mention this in his report and that he may have been mistaken. So hopefully Bella will not be suspended. The game had been tough and a test of character for PJF who played probably their worst half of rugby of the season during the first 40 minutes. In the second half they made amends and won the game. Next week PJF entertain Whits at the Pightle. The match will be preceded by a lunch. If you want to attend but haven't as yet let me know, please e mail me by clicking this link. We look forward to an excellent weekend of rugby at the Pightle next week.