Finchley 0

Woodford 19

Finchley had Woodford under siege for the opening 20 minutes of Saturday's London League Division Two (North) match at Summers Lane.

But the leaders held firm, took a 12-point lead against the run of play and chipped away at a Finchley defence already disjointed through an injury to Tim Galligan, before finally seizing the initiative in the final quarter and stretching their unbeaten record.

Even so Finchley spurned the chance of three points from the only kickable penalty they were awarded in order to attack the Woodford line.

Woodford kicked off with a stiff, chilling wind at their backs. Despite this, they were under fire for the opening quarter and only resolute

tackling from their young defence kept out the inventive home outfit, urged on by a large crowd.

After 22 minutes, Woodford broke free and took an unexpected lead when talented right wing Stuart David ran at a hesitant defence and threaded his way through, slipping the ball inside for Peter Vahmann to plunge over near the corner.

The lead was extended within five minutes when a wind-assisted punt caught Finchley off balance, and a double overlap left David with the formality of strolling over beneath the posts for a try, converted by Andy Weeks.

Already limited by the absence of Hughton Campbell with a thigh injury, the Finchley threequarters were further unsettled by Galligan's enforced withdrawal. A reshuffle saw Nick Salem move into the centre and substitute Simon Lewis come on at wing.

Finchley should have reduced the arrears soon after half-time when second row forward Ian Minichello pursued and gathered a loose ball and set off on a lone 50-metre dash for the line. However, the fast-chasing Woodford defence hauled him down and, without support, the chance was lost.

Finchley were further hampered by a leg injury to hooker Mark Peplow. But their forwards only conceded superiority in the final quarter as the visitors used their two beanpole lineout specialists to telling effect and put Finchley under immense pressure.

A series of tap penalties were staunchly resisted, but the first and only tackle that was missed allowed hooker Childs to burrow his way over for a try, converted by Weeks.

On Saturday, Finchley's quest for league points continues with a visit to Old Albanians.

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