Chingford 5

Barnet Elizabethans 28

A long-awaited first win of the year over lowly Chingford ensured Elizabethans' safety from the drop and restored some much-needed confidence.

The home forwards came out spoiling for a scrap, but Elizabethans skipper Richards led by example, refusing to take a backward step.

He was ably supported in some torrid exchanges up front by seasoned campaigners Gray, Aspinall and Morris, and the home side weathered the storm.

Given a better platform, BEs backs were finally able to show their ability, and full-back Stuart Borst in particular revelled in the wide open spaces.

He opened the scoring with a fine try from distance, and Dean added a second before Chingford replied.

BEs were in charge in the second half with Caylor, Bott and Geekie crossing the line and Borst running riot.

Spragg landed a penalty to complete the scoring and a win created by the Herculean Richards and the hard men in the Elizabethans pack.

o Elizabethans second team were edged 20-10 by Hertford in the semi-final of the Lambs Cup after a titanic struggle.

Morris and Harper scored tries for BEs, but a lively Hertford outfit finally took the honours in a thrilling contest that was a fine advert for the strength in depth of local rugby.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.