East London outfit Old Streetonians had their grip on the London North West II league loosened on Saturday after a 9-6 defeat to West London.

East London outfit Old Streetonians had their grip on the London North West II league loosened on Saturday after a 9-6 defeat to West London.

The title is still theirs to win, however; they are only one point behind the new league leaders, but with two games in hand. Five wins from the remaining six games will see them champions and promoted for the third season in a row.

Street started strongly, and the dominated the first half, but Street could only manage one penalty and had a slender 3-0 lead at the break.

The scrum was particularly dominant, threatening score tries on numerous occasions, but scuppered by the treacherous conditions.

A run of eight consecutive penalties against Street, perhaps two of them justified, the rest mystifying, took all the first half momentum from the visitors.

The West London no.10 was having an off day with the boot, but after missing his first five attempts and being replaced, Street began to be punished on the scoreboard for their misdemeanours at the breakdown.

The score was soon 9-3, but despite the difficult conditions and baffling refereeing, Street can only blame themselves.

The second half performance lacked intensity from the backs, whose tactics, allied with poor execution, were poor. Too much ball kicked away meant too much time defending rucks and giving away more penalties.

Cheshunt away next week will be a tough challenge, but Street must return to winning ways.

The backlash may have started on Sunday, as Street met Twickenham in the Middlesex Bowl. With several players playing both weekends, Street put 33 unanswered and clinical points on their South London rivals, to move into the semi-finals of this tournament.

Next up will be London Nigerians, hopefully in better conditions for rugby.