FRIENDLY: Uxbridge 13 Old Abbotstonians 22
Uxbridge failed to make the most of their first half wind advantage as Old Abbotstonians overturned a 13-7 deficit to record a 22-13 pre-season win.
Kyle Buckingham gave Abbots the lead with an opportunist try when a penalty attempt was missed, although Uxbridge were convinced the ball had bounced dead and then back in play.
The hosts hit back, Dan Pitkin with the initial break before winger Simon Batts clattered through the last defenders to score in the corner and Michael Wey-mouth added a penalty to take them 8-7 in front.
Another poor Abbots clearance kick was picked up by full-back Phil Orrell who was hit by his third high tackle, which was finally penalised, and after the forwards did their bit the backs were unleashed and Batts showed more great finishing to grab his second try.
Uxbridge continued to dominate against their higher league opponents but wasted chance after chance with poor passing or silly errors and Abbots, under new coach Alec Brooks, made them pay.
Now it was Uxbridge's turn to struggle to clear their lines and after Abbots squandered a few chances scrum-half Ed Woolley went in under the posts, with Elliot Wake adding the conversion to put them back in front at 14-13.
The game was end to end in the last 20 minutes until Jamie Jamieson put a delightful little grubber kick through for winger Ron Payne to gleefully touch down in the corner and Jamieson added a late penalty to seal Uxbridge's fate.
Abbots host Verulamians in their opening Herts/Middlesex Division One fixture at 3pm on Saturday, while Uxbridge travel to Hendon in Division Two.
* Uxbridge II borrowed some players from Old Priorians and trailed just 5-0 at half-time before the floodgates opened and Priorians eased to a 34-0 victory.
Uxbridge Twos face Stevenage III in a friendly on Saturday.
See www.uxbridgerfc.co.uk for more information on the club.
* Abbots II turned a 5-0 half-time lead thanks to Jonathan Huxley's score into a decisive 18-0 advantage after Ben Ambrose and James Wall also crossed and Huxley added a penalty, before Weybridge Vandals grabbed a late consolation try to complete an 18-5 score-line.
Training for Abbots seniors takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7-9pm, and juniors on Sundays, 10am-12noon. The junior section is also having a fun day for anyone who would like to try rugby, 10.30am-1.30pm on September 28.
