A second half comeback wasn't enough for Old Priorians Saints to beat Chiswick, losing 40-26 but assuring themselves of a playoff spot in the process.

There were ominous signs for OPs as Chiswick went into an early 7-0 lead, puncturing the line to cross for their first try with five minutes played. However, Priorians did well to regroup, and were able to hold off the opposition onslaught until the 20th minute, the pressure finally telling for the promotion hopefuls second try of the afternoon, also converted, for 14-0.

Despite a distinct lack of territory, it was the Saints who were next on the scoresheet ; James Paxman's tremendous break - utilising footwork and agility - saw him travel 70 metres into the Chiswick 22, where quick thinking from scrum half Dominic Grzegorzek put hooker Coel Ellis in on the blindside, able to make a dash to touch down for his side's first try of the afternoon. A fantastic conversion without a tee from Paxman cut the deficit to seven points with a little over five minutes before half time, being 14-7 as it was.

Poor exits and disorganisation from the restart allowed Chiswick the chance to capitalise once more and on the stroke of half time extended their lead once again, utilising an overlap for a relatively easy score, impressively converted, as it 21-7 at the end of the first 40 minutes.

With a a degree of balance to the game, it was much a case of whoever started the second half the brighter would probably go on to win - with that award going to Chiswick. A dominant opening ten minutes saw them score three tries to advance the scoreboard to 40-7, as the match threatened to run away from the Saints.

A huge momentum shift towards OPs then materialised as indiscipline crept into the visitor's ranks, receiving two yellow cards within minutes of each other to leave them two men down for a period of play. It was during this phase of the game where the Saints proved to be fruitful ; a well judged snipe from Grzegorzek made it 40-14 with a quarter an hour to go, then in the closing stages scored two more through props Adam Gurdikyan and Funbi Osuntoki, the latter proving to be the last action of the game - though not before a high pressure kick for Jacob Richardson, coolly slotting the ball between the posts to secure a bonus point for the Saints, 40-26 to Chiswick at full time.

While the score is probably reflective of Chiswick's status as the best side in the division, OPRFC will be delighted to have partially recovered a 33 point deficit to come away with more than enough respectability in the result ; the security of a playoff spot was also due reward for their endeavours.

Samuel Green was elected player of the match for his tremendous work rate and excellent ball carrying and there were also excellent performances from Osuntoki, Paxman, captain Tom Raine and Grzegorzek, as well as impressive debuts for Richardson and David Jobling.

There are now two fixtures left in the league season - the rearranged match against Ealing 1871 next Saturday (counting for double points for both teams), then Grasshoppers on the 6th April.

OPRFC SCORERS

T : Ellis, Grzegorzek, Gurdikyan, Osuntoki

C : Paxman, Richardson 2