Match Report

  S London II 22-38 London G  

28/04/07 (Courtesy of South London Storm)

South London Storm II lost their one year home unbeaten record to the London Griffins on Saturday in 25 degree heat 22-38. Storm in their first match of the season never really got out of the starting blocks against a Griffins team who seemed undaunted as they took to the field for the first time against the reigning champions. The Griffins started strongly and scored from close range after only four minutes through full back Mark Price who slipped through the Storm defence.

 

It only took the Storm two minutes to get back into the game after a strong break by in form Stand off Chris Bevan, with Tom Farrar finishing the move under the posts to give them the lead. They extended this lead with a try down the middle from debutant Don Crawford, Pitchfork again converting for a 12-4 lead.

 

The Griffins came back on 12 minutes when second rower Adam Hill narrowed the score, Chris Heading converting. Pitchfork then barged his way over from 10 yards out to score for the Storm but his own missed conversion meant the score was at 16-10.

 

Arguably the turning point of the game came when hat trick hero Liam Bayly scored his first two tries within a 6 minute spell to leave the half time score Storm 16 Griffins 22.

 

Storm started the second half the brighter and youngster Einstein Ntim made a 50 yard break to score. Pitchfork converted to take the score to 22-22.

 

The Griffins worked hard to take control. Storm were put under pressure by superb defence lead by Rob Douglas and Chris Heading before Damian Thomas was able to dash half the length of the pitch to put Griffins 26-22 up with a great intercept try. Three Minutes later Thomas was over again and Chris Headings conversion put Griffins 32-22 up with 12 minutes left. More superb defence left the Storm struggling to break out of their half and with the pace of Owen Bayly, Mark Price and Liam Bayly, the visitors continued to press.

Five minutes from full time Liam Bayly completed his hat tick to leave the score South London Storm 22 London Griffins 38.