Martin Voller laments the loss of UEL’s undefeated home record.
UEL 1st (5) 5
London Metropolitan University 1st (10) 25
UEL’s unbeaten league record was brought to an end by a London Metropolitan side who played the majority of the match a man light.
Despite last week’s exit from the BUCS Cup at the hands of Goldsmiths, UEL men’s team went into this week’s fixture undefeated in the league.
But they never really kicked into gear and London Met, who were yet to win this season, raced into a 0-10 lead after Josh Graham’s early penalty and Ben Harvey’s converted try midway through the first half.
Harvey sailed through UEL’s defence to score, but shortly afterwards he was shown a red card for persistent dissent towards the referee.
The East Londoners seized the advantage. Their best spell of the match came towards the end of the first half, when Rob Gardner powered his way over the line after a sustained period of pressure.
But UEL failed to push on in the second half. Graham’s penalty put the Met eight points up before Brandon Kent intercepted Bradley Cock’s pass and ran from inside his own half to score the visitors’ second try directly under the posts.
Despite Graham’s conversion, which gave London Met a 15-point, lead, UEL didn’t give up. But their poor counter-rucking and ill discipline cost them dearly.
Finally, Sam Brown went over in the corner to round off a convincing win for the visitors.
UEL remain top of the South Eastern 4B league, but will be equaled by King College 4th if they win their games in hand.
UEL
Tries: Gardner Con: None Pen: None
London Met
Tries: Harvey, Kent, Brown Con: Graham (2) Pen: Graham (2)