A tremendous first half performance from Old Priorians - including twelve points from the boot of Ross McIntosh - helped them see off Beaconsfield at Wasps FC on Saturday, the match ending in frantic fashion as darkness descended upon Twyford Avenue.

Beaconsfield looked very lively in the opening stages of the game and were first to put points on the board via an early penalty, only for the Twisters to hit back quickly with Guy Djedje able to get himself over the whitewash, McIntosh converting for a 7-3 advantage. Being as it was that OPs had the wind with them in the first half, the chances to go for points was too much to turn down and McIntosh slotted two penalties in quick succession to put his side 13-3 up with around 25 minutes of the match gone, both kicks taken from a considerable distance and well executed.

Stefan Tsang's excellent charge down within the Beaconsfield 22 metres allowed Will Curd the chance to pounce on the ball as it entered the in-goal area, appearing to win the battle and put another five points on the board. He made if four in two games minutes later with a close range effort, before Rhodri Darwent was the benefactor from a rolling maul to secure a try bonus point and appear to put Priorians out of sight, 32-3 the score at half time.

The second half told much a different story as the resurgent Buckinghamshire outfit looked to get themselves back into the match, scoring their first on 53 minutes to reduce the arrears slightly. As time ticked on, however, the Twisters defence remained resolute, until the 70th minute when Beaconsfield made another breakthrough, following it up with their third of the day minutes later to put OPRFC players and supporters on edge.

The supposed lack of time left in the fixture may well have buoyed home spirits, yet another twenty minutes passed before the clock went into the red, perhaps due to a mixture of stoppages and especial diligence in the referee's timekeeping. Beaconsfield pounded and pounded in their search for another try, but were unable to find a way through, settling for a kick at goal in the last play to make sure they came away witha losing bonus point - 32-25 the final score.

Perhaps one of the most impressive first halves by the Twisters in recent memory, this was a richly deserved five points against a side who have always caused Priorians problems in the past, digging in when necessary to grind out an excellent result.

It moves OPs up to 8th in the Regional 2 Thames table as they face Belsize Park next Saturday.

OPRFC Scorers

T : Djedje, Curd 2, Darwent

C : McIntosh 3

P : McIntosh 2