Old Freemans 12 Streatham-Croydon 5

Despite outscoring their opponents by one try to nil, Streatham-Croydon slipped to their first league defeat in three months at second-placed Old Freemans on Saturday.

From the start the referee chose to set the tone by awarding a penalty to Freemans as a Streatham tackler was judged to be impeding the ball.

Although three points down, it was the visitors who began to dominate possession and territory.

Matt Roberts at inside centre added extra weight to the Streatham midfield and good yardage was made but Streatham's attempts to spread possession wide often saw the ball going to ground.

Although outsized, Streatham had a comfortable day at the scrummage, repeatedly forcing Freemans backwards. This led to Streatham's try midway through the first half. Having won a five-yard scrum in front of the Freemans posts, fast ball was provided for winger Gavin Calloo who went over for his 12th try of the season.

With only a two-point lead to defend, Streatham started the second half positively.

Gradually Freemans reverted to a kicking game, using their knowledge of the sloping pitch to gain territory.

Unfortunately for Streatham, the referee awarded a series of kickable penalties for killing the ball to launch Freemans into a seven-point lead.

Streatham's best oppportunity came in the dying seconds as fly-half Will Manns intercepted a stray halfback pass and darted towards the Freemans line.

With good support from both Dean Taylor and scrum-half Spike Williams, a try seemed certain until the visitors were denied by a last-ditch tackle by the Freemans fullback.