Match Report

 Haringey 28-22 Bedford

15/08/04

The Grand Final of the London League 2004 season brought together two of the year’s newly formed clubs, both of whom put on an impressive display before the Skolars v Barrow game at New River.

 

The early stages were tense with neither side creating many chances until Tommy McCollin slipped through the line for Bedford on 15 minutes. Haringey responded with a simple try from dummy half for Eddie Mbarga, with Jacques Dezarnaulds converting. The lead was short lived however, a clever dummied step and pass from player coach Abe Kerr putting Andy Biggs in at the left corner to give Bedford an 8-6 lead at the break.

 

The Hornets’ youngsters sprang to life in the second half with Daniel Thompson and Adam Murphy scooting over for tries from dummy half in the first five minutes. This back-to-basics approach paid further dividends when the strong running Mario DuToit shrugged off two would-be tacklers to score. When prop Mbarga scored his second try bursting through the line the game looked won at 28-8. However, the Tigers were determined not to give up and two quick tries brought them back into contention. Long passing to the wing found Lee Crawford out wide and Matt Sudworth’s 50 metre run to the sticks gave Bedford confidence.

 

With a minute remaining Phil Walker’s bomb was fumbled and Parwaz Khan was quick to pounce on the loose ball, but the comeback was just too late for Bedford as Haringey hung on to secure the Gordon Anderton Trophy.