BA encounter turbulence as they crash to defeat

PINNER & Grammarians ran in 10 tries in their 58-12 non-league demolition of British Airways RFC at Shaftesbury playing fields on Saturday.

Centre and man of the match Chris Hall dived over early on, with full-back Mark Razzell converting, before Reza Sibilant scored the second try after good word by the pack.

Acting captain Aaron Nicholas soon darted in from 40 metres for the third score for a 19-0 lead.

However, BA rallied and number eight Mark Pamplin barged over before Rob Lowe converted Lee McCrae's score for the visitors after Pinner had carelessly squandered possession.

With only a minute of the second period gone BA were adjudged off-side from a scrum on half way.

A quick series of interchanges between Sibilant and Lane saw prop Simon Whitcombe crash over in the corner.

A few minutes later Pinner won a scrum on their own 10-metre line. Scum-half Lane broke clear and once more Sibilant was on hand to run in the try, converted by fly-half Paul James. Hall grabbed his second try of the afternoon while, from the restart, left wing Danny Allen cruised past two opponents to go over in the corner.

Angus Wilson scored a wonderful length-of-pitch try while Nicholas earned his second of the game soon after as BA's wheels came off.

A minute from time BA fumbled the ball in their own five-metre area and Pinner flanker Alex Wheeler gathered and drove in for the hosts' final try. [25cf] The pre-match President's Lunch was attended by former players, supporters and parents from the Minis section.

Guests included Councillor Susan Hall, portfolio holder for Leisure Services and Deputy Leader of the Council, and Dee Heath and her daughter Charlotte of club sponsor Vintage Wine Bar.

Club president David Hiles announced that he and chairman Andrew Wright had reached agreement with Councillor Hall, Harrow Council officers and Rick Bruin of the RFU for the latter to provide substantial grants for new drainage to be installed on the lower pitch, with Harrow contributing matched funding. [25cf] HARROW RFC followed up back-to-back league wins with a 12-5 friendly win over USC thirds.

This Saturday they travel to face Hayes in the league.