Brentwood 8 Barnet Elizabethans 25

Barnet Elizabethans bounced back from their shock Herts Cup defeat with a gutsy display in a convincing away win over Brentwood, several places above them in the London League Division Two (North).

With injured captain Steve Robb sidelined, possibly for the rest of the season, ex-skipper Lee Gray took charge, knowing that he did not have a full squad to call on.

But he had no cause for worry as BEs produced some very determined rugby, particularly for 25 minutes in the second half when Brentwood threw everything at the their goalline.

BEs, with the advantage of the slope in the first half, quickly raced into a 6-0 lead through two penalties from Nick Hillard.

The backs ran well and had the final pass been more accurate they would have found themselves with more than a 20-3 half time lead. David Lewis was only a few inches from a try after a good run and a chip through kick.

However, it was a score on the opposite wing that followed. After working the ball across to the left flank, Mark Caylor took on his opposite number for a run to the goal-line, before chipping through with a clever kick; the ball bounced menacingly for the defenders and Caylor, but James Spragg touched down just inside the deadball line, with Hillard adding the conversion.

BE's were guilty of losing their control, and Brentwood replied with a penalty goal during a brief spell on the attack.

However, BE's responded with a try from a lineout. McKinnell took the catch, Gray drove over, and Hillard again converted.

At the start of the second half,sloppy defence allowed Brentwood back in the game with a try, and BE's were on the back foot.

But they held out, and took charge again with Spragg sealing their victory in great style. After selling several outrageous dummies, he ran around unopposed for his second try.

BE's will be out to continue that form when Old Merchant Taylor pay a league visit to Byng Road this Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm.

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