London Three North West St Albans 13 Finchley 20 ST Albans lost their unbeaten record when they were surprisingly beaten by Finchley on Saturday. The two sides were well matched but St Albans were missing regular kicker Mark Kentish

London Three North West

St Albans 13 Finchley 20

ST Albans lost their unbeaten record when they were surprisingly beaten by Finchley on Saturday.

The two sides were well matched but St Albans were missing regular kicker Mark Kentish and managed just one penalty while Finchley kicked two conversions and two penalties.

St Albans started the game at a furious pace and pinned Finchley back inside their own half, finally breaching the visiting defence on 10 minutes. Possession from a scrum was spread wide and an inside pass saw centre Martin Alderton crash through.

Two minutes later St Albans extended their lead when a good three-quarter move unleashed winger Ed Coy to sprint clear and score in the corner.

Finchley battled back, as the St Albans scrum, in the absence of injured captain Brent Green, could not establish their usual superiority. Two penalties ensured Finchley reduced their deficit to just 10-6 at the break.

In the second half St Albans held sway for 20 minutes but failed to show the cutting edge evident in their previous fixtures. A good penalty from Andrew Still kicked against the wind extended the lead to 13-6 but it was not enough of an advantage.

St Albans eventually buckled, as the direct approach from Finchley paid off with the forwards driving over in the corner. This was expertly converted and Finchley secured the 20-13 victory five minutes later with another converted score.

St Albans will hope for a much improved performance next week when they travel to London Nigerians.

Herts Middx merit table

Hampstead II 86 St Albans II 7

St Albans III 0 Enfield Ignations 32