A stunning comeback from Old Priorians - including a fifteen minute hat trick for Will Curd - was not enough to defeat Belsize Park, who scored a last minute try to also deny the Twisters a losing bonus point in a tale of two halves in Regent's Park.

There was a degree of balance in the opening minutes of the game, Belsize eventually forcing the issue after being rewarded with two penalties that took them into the opposition 22 ; a clever grubber through to the wing following an aborted maul was gathered in the corner for a well worked score to open the host's account for the afternoon, converted for 7-0.

Priorians temporarily went down to fourteen men at the end of the first quarter, Park taking full advantage of having the extra man as they raced into a 26-0 lead, utilising the kicking game to excellent effect and wrap up a try bonus well within the end of the first half. Matt Ilube got one back for OPs as the Twisters put together some well worked phases, the Nigeria international wrestling himself over under some heavy pressure.

Belsize stretched their lead out once more just before the end of the half, OPRFC lax at the scrum and allowing the ball to be hooked against the head, the defence exposed again by a kick into space, well gathered to make it 31-5 to the Central London club as the whistle blew for the break.

Things got worse for OPs with around half an hour left, with perhaps the try of the afternoon - a kick bound for touch was brilliantly kept in and regathered by Park, scything through the defence before making a pass to allow them to go in under the posts, converted for 38-5 with little hope on the horizon for the visitors.

However, a yellow card given to Belsize Park appeared to turn the tide in favour of the Twisters ; having given penalties away in a dangerous area, Priorians worked the ball up towards the line, Curd diving and darting through the defence to get a score from the base of the ruck, in a good position for Charlie Harte to convert which was duly delivered. The try scorer was once again involved for the next try, his break then leading to the ball being recycled wide where an expert pass from Stefan Tsang on to Guy Djedje gave the latter a clear run at the line to pull the score back to 38-17 a touch into the last quarter.

A well timed interception from Curd allowed him through the Belsize defence, dashing 50 metres to claim a brace, another conversion cutting the lead to fourteen points ; the hat trick was completed thirteen minutes from time as OPs turned defence into attack, running a free kick from deep as Michael Jobling's surge took his side into a good position. A penalty was kicked to touch in the 22, the resultant maul meaning Curd claimed his third - 38-31 as the last ten minutes approached.

Momentum slowed slightly for Priorians but they still appeared to have the upper hand heading into the later stages ; however, the ball was knocked forward from a scrum, Belsize taking the opportunity to press forward, able to finish the move well to make sure of victory and deny a second point to OPs, 45-31 the full time score.

Another exciting clash between these two sides, with the Twisters' marvellous recovery a testament to their resilience ; not only this, it shows a distinct strength in depth given some current injuries within the 1st XV. However, there will be disappointment with the first half performance, where perhaps a strong Belsize Park side could have been limited in their scoring.

There is now a two week break until the next first team fixture, an away game agains Teddington on the 14th November.

OPRFC Scorers

T : Ilube, Curd 3, Djedje

C : Harte 3