Action from the Old Mid-Whitgiftians v Woodford match.

Against indifferent opposition Mids should have acquired their firstleague points of the season at Highams on Saturday.

But an ill-starred game ensured their barren spell of six successivedefeats is not yet over and their London Division One status by no meanssecure.

Their first half display was a perfect example of wet weather rugbyduring which they kept the ball close and maintained a territorialadvantage by sensible running combined with excellent tactical kicking.

These tactics gave them a 6-0 lead from penalties by John Broughton.

Although conceding a penalty to Woodford's John Dwight early in thesecond half, Mids remained good value until 16 minutes from the end whendisaster struck.

Dwight's 35 metre penalty, having drifted wide, was knocked onconceding a five metre scrum.

From this, Woodford attempted a shove-over in which scrum half, JontyPollard, added his weight.

Ignoring this, referee David Roabertshaw chose to penalise Mids forinterference and his award of a penalty try converted by Dwight settledmatters.

So Old Mid-Whitgiftians are languishing at the bottom of the table stillsearching for their elusive first point.

Despite an empty points bag Mids are saved from the disgrace of lastplace cushioned as they are by Southend who have conceded more tries andpenalties.

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