Starting In Style

Eddie Jones has been training his squad in Italy in preparation for the scorching conditions expected
in Japan, while the Welsh have been greasing their balls to simulate the extreme humidity. Little did
they know that if they had just stayed in North London they would have experienced temperatures
unheard of in September. These were the conditions greeting the Finsbury Park 2 nd XV on their first
league game of the season. With lots of new faces, the squad was eager to impress against a
previously unknown Bishops Stortford side, and ensure Fortress Downhills maintained its formidable
title.
After an emotional speech from captain Johnny Gowing it was time for kick off. Bishops Stortford
started with intent, using their big runners to piece together the phases. This was swiftly ended by
the first of many turnovers by John Musson, earning a penalty for the home side resulting in the first
expedition into the opponent’s half. They say if you want to play like your heroes you have to train
like them. This was certainty the case for John Portsmouth’s preseason, who spent the summer
religiously following Andy Goode’s diet plan of frozen pizzas, and pints in the Fullback. This payed
dividends, and he commanded his forwards around the pitch. Red, Blue, Flash and he crossed the
line. Textbook stuff.
After the intial breakthrough the gaps started opening. The back row combination of Danny Ray
Griffiths, Joe Flatley and Alex Moran linking together through delicate offloads to pierce through the
defence and proving too mobile for the heavy Bishops Stortford pack. The open play suited the
pacey backline with Jake Painter (ironically playing left wing) and Bertrand Debeuf making solid
ground. Allez les Fins! Allez les Fins! More trys followed from Joe Allen, Flatley, DR Griffiths, and Nick
Tewson, with Rich Handley surprisingly adding the extras. Half time 40-0.
Bishops Stortford came out fighting in the second half, but desperate defence from the towering
combination of Stephen Morse, Alex Thomas and Rob Simpson denied them on the line multiple
times. At this point the sun got better of everyone and the game turned into chaos, starting with a
yellow card for Rich Sheridan for making a tackle, and then 5 minutes of uncontested scrums for an
unknown reason. The hard ground was battering bodies and twisting ankles, which allowed Will
Monk, Jay Holmes and Santiago Garcia to add a new energy to the Fins defence. However, after
consecutive penalties, this was finally broken and Bishops Stortford crossed the line. Further tries
were exchanged; Maxwell de Podesta and Waldo Alejandro Castillo Cennerazzo claiming these for
the Fins. Jajajajajaja.
With the standard of play dropping rapidly, the defence became sloppy and further penalities
followed. Rich Sheridan was once again shown a yellow, “But sir it wasn’t me!”. It was me. Woops. I
spent the last minutes on the sideline complaining, but I don’t think much else happened. Final score
59-26.
A great win to start the season and an opportunity to blow the last of the cobwebs off. The 2 nd XV
will be looking to build momentum next week in what is set to be a tough challenge away at Enfield.
Special mention to league debutants Joe Flatley, Jay Holmes, Santiago Garcia, Maxwell de Podesta,
and Joe Allen who all put in performances worthy of the Finsbury Park jersey.
MOTM Joe Flatley
DOTD Rich Sheridan