Michael Jobling's dramatic try in the final play of the game saw Old Priorians avenge defeat earlier in the season to beat Beaconsfield 32-30, inflicting only their third loss in the league during this campaign and extend their own winning run to five games, twice coming back from double digit deficits to secure a famous victory at St Benedict's Playing Field.

Beaconsfield were able to dominate early on and deservedly went over for the first score from a rolling maul having been able to kick deep into OPs territory, the conversion missed ; it didn't take long for them to then open up an eight point lead as the Twisters gave away a penalty in a kickable position, slotted for the extra three as the promotion contenders started well.

Priorians then applied heavy pressure on Beaconsfield and thought they had crossed for their first try only for the ball to be adjudged held up, the team having to be satisfied with taking three points via the boot of Will Taylor as the Buckinghamshire outfit were equal to the attacking efforts of the hosts. Indeed, they managed to rip the ball from the hands of OPRFC a couple of phases after the restart before venturing towards the line, a speedy move finished off well near the posts as the ensuing conversion made it 15-3.

OPs would realistically need to score next to keep themselves in the tie and they did so with aplomb, a lovely move from the lineout set piece seeing Ethan Wetherell neatly setting Raphael Mutu up for a storming score, coming on to the ball at pace from around 25 metres out and deploying both deft footwork and strength to get the first Priorian try of the day. Taylor was able to add two more and a twelve point gap became five.

The Twisters were awarded a penalty restart and an excellent kick from Taylor - taking his side to within ten metres of the Beaconsfield line - gave them more than a sniff of crossing the line once more. Penalties piled up and Priorians took full advantage, Mishka Fibbens crashing over from short range to wipe out the deficit and put OPs into the lead towards the end of the half.

Further attrition yielded little for OPRFC and they were made to rue this as Beaconsfield nudged ahead before the break via another penalty, 18-17 the half time score with not much to pick between the two sides, the defensive efforts from the visitors perhaps the ultimate difference in the first 40 minutes.

The start of the second half was a reverse of the first, OPs able to gain some momentum and went 20-18 up after a successful shot at goal from Taylor with about 55 minutes played ; but, as had been the case before, when one side scored, the other would immediately make amends, and this time it was Beaconsfield's turn, showing ingenuity from a line out at the 22 to fool Priorians and reestablish superiority.

Priorians came back with interest as the topsy-turvy nature of the game continued, held up once more by the generally impressive Beaconsfield defence. Having seen off the threat, they worked their way back down the pitch and after a couple of linebreaks, had gone over the whitewash once more with the clock ticking towards the last ten minutes and the scoreboard reading 30-20.

OPs would need to remain calm to get anything out of the tie and remained patient in their quest to cross the line, aided by penalties that led to crucial field positions. The hard work of the forwards paid off and it was Fibbens again who got the try, taking his tally to ten for the season for the 1st XV and more importantly, giving new kicker Charlie Harte an easy conversion, 30-27 with around five minutes to go.

Deep into the match, Priorians were awarded a penalty just inside the Beaconsfield 22, with options aplenty - a kick to goal would seal a draw, any other avenue would provide a foundation to go for the win. A scrum was called with the attack split, going left at the Pavilion End with the ball spilling into open space. Harte's attempted fly hack through was fielded by a Beaconsfield player who attempted to kick out to end the game, only to slice his effort twice, handing the ball back to the Twisters. One carry took the ball up to the line where Rory Gaffney passed the ball blind to Michael Jobling, reaching and scoring as Perivale erupted with time up. The conversion was missed but was very much immaterial - OPs had secured a famous home win.

Tense rather than thrilling, this was a statement win for OPRFC as they continue their good form in 2026, vanquishing the ghosts of the past and seemingly lifting the curse of the last minute loss and turning them into wins. A high quality victory against high quality opponents, this bodes well for the rest of the campaign as the side look to break records.

Next up is Teddington on Saturday 7th March, away at Bushey Park.

OPRFC SCORERS

T : Mutu, Fibbens 2, Jobling

C : Taylor 2, Harte

P : Taylor 2