A day full of controversy and upset.

As the sun rose over the greenery of Downhills Park, all seemed as it should. However, this was not the case! Shockingly, Enfield turned up to the ground early, despite the thrilling morning of rugby that kept Finsbury Park players glued to their TVs. After some impromptu pitch maintenance, both teams warmed up as expected. This normality was short lived, for the ref was to declare the pitch unplayable and we were all to travel into the highly maintained lands of Enfield.
Once the two teams arrived, warm up continued but the kick off time was inevitably pushed back. Despite an unorthodox start, the Fins boys seemed switched on and ready to rumble. As the game commenced, it became clear that it was to be a hard-fought battle. Some hard-hitting attacks caused Enfield to give away a penalty within kicking distance, allowing Ed to slot one through the uprights, putting Finsbury up by 3.
Shortly after, some gloriously glamorous gliding from the Finsbury backs allowed Gus to run in a try with ease. Unfortunately, the conversion was missed but Finsbury were now up 8-0. Was this 8-point lead the undoing of Finsbury? Did the team become complacent? Whatever the cause, the game started to unravel for Park’s 1s. Enfield’s forwards were dominating line-outs, taking advantage of the refs inability to keep the scrums legal and the rucks consistent, leading to some poor discipline from Finsbury. Consequently, Enfield were able to slot over a penalty. 8-3 Finsbury Park.
8-3 it was, but not for long. The Enfield boys used their forwards effectively against Fin's less effective than usual defence, this allowed them over the line for their first try. With the conversation, it was now 8-10. Another penalty given away meant 3 more points for Enfield. Now feeling the pressure, Finsbury turned the intensity up a gear forcing Enfield to kick the ball out for the relief of the half time whistle.
After much needed wisdom from Gaz, Finsbury were ready to start the second half. Amazingly, the Park boys were able to ignore all the wisdom from Gaz and conceded yet another try, not to be converted. 8-15 to Enfield. The onslaught of less than lawful forward work from Enfield continued. Nevertheless, Finsbury carried on their hard work and a break from Chris Green looked like a try for sure. A successful off load to Paddy kept the dream alive! Short lived was this dream, as Paddy's pass to Chris Neels was uncharacteristically poor, leading to a knock on.
More forward play followed by more forward play and it seemed like Finsbury would not score again. Suddenly, an almost demonic call from chief supreme Evan, for his obedient prop to, “Get the fudge out of the way!” (I adlib so to retain grace) meant an almost intercepted pass and lead to an incredibly executed try. Evan, with another successful conversation from Ed, leads his team to a 15-15 score. Finsbury were not able to rejoice for long, as their ill-disciplined nature meant another successful penalty kick from Enfield. 18-15 in favour of the Ignatians.
Another use of their superior lineouts gave Enfield the platform they needed for a dominant rolling maul resulting in another try to be converted. 25-15 to Enfield. The last 10mins of the game were infuriating for the Fins boys as they upped the intensity one more time. Alas, t’was not enough. The final whistle blew and Enfield had defeated the previously undefeated Finsbury Park. All hope is not lost for the Park boys, for the season is young and full of potential! Out of the darkness sparks the brightest of lights. Knock us down, we’ll get back up, break our bones and their grow back stronger! We are Finsbury Park and we will come back stronger!