MET CLINCH "LE CRUNCH" CRACKER

A fabulous celebration of the Met Police RFC centenary season was played out in front of a packed and raucous Imber Court crowd with the Met claiming a famous victory over their Parisian counterparts.

A fixture that was first played in January 1924, ending in a 0-0 scoreline, was joyously repeated, this time with several tries and all the accoutrements of a modern sports fixture - music heralding every score, National Anthems, a minute's silence in remembrance of fallen colleagues, and a large Police presence, although this time their eyes were on the game rather than the crowd. The evening was enhanced by the support of Forensic Analytics and long-time MPRFC sponsor, Met Friendly. It was a rare yet pleasing sight to see the stand full of spectators. With cameras and drones encircling the playing area, PA announcements in French, it had all the makings of an outstanding International clash.

The Parisians warmed up with some ferocity and belted out La Marseillaise. They kicked-off in similar vein and within three minutes referee Mike Essen stamped his authority on the game, issuing a yellow card to Erwan C for dangerous play in the Met's 22. The Met weathered the early storm, taking advantage of the man advantage and the French reorganisation to work their way up the other end where Sam Druce kicked the first of three penalties to open the scoring.

It was a short-lived respite. From the restart, Paris forced the Met backwards and a failure to release gave the French No.10, Thibault Foutré, a chance to level the scores.

Not to be outdone, the Met went straight up the other end and powerful play around the fringes saw the Met pack force its way over the line for hooker Sam Bailey to emerge with the ball and 5 points to his name. Druce added the extra points, as we have come to expect.

With Paris Police returned to its full complement, Foutré issued a warning to the Met banging over his second penalty, this time from just inside the Met's half. Everything Foutré did on the pitch had a stand-out element of class about it; this was merely the first example. Not to be outdone, Sam Druce has also brought a touch of class and control to the Met outfit. As the home team once again found themselves making progress in the French 22, the ball moved right to left and back again until Druce found himself with space to run in under the posts. The Met had established a 17-6 lead with excellent cohesive play but there was a sense in the crowd that, with the game entering its second quarter, the Paris XV was warming to its task.

A superb break by Foutré gave the French a platform in the Met defensive third. Although the Met defended the gain line stoutly, while managing to keep the referee happy, and Rory Payn making an exceptional intervention as the line beckoned, somehow Foutré created a space out of nothing off the side of a ruck and popped a pass to supporting centre Nathan D-C who dived over the line, giving Foutré the simplest of conversions.

The momentum had now swung firmly in Paris's favour but the Met defence was, for the most part, impermeable. It was the sublime boot of Foutré that was to break the blue stronghold. A glorious kick from hand pinned the Met back on their own line. As the French moved the ball to the right then rolled back in field, it was that man again who slid through several despairing tacklers to add his own try to the tally. The conversion meant that half-time arrived with Paris 23-17 to the good and the Met were going to have to play out of their skins to stop the game from hurtling away from them in the second half.

Paris made a number of half-time changes to give the travelling party game time. The Met also made changes, with Will Ferguson replacing the injured Huw Longden and Olly Newton bringing his skills to the party. The second half brought a period of stability, in the scoreline if not emotions. Firmly reflecting most Anglo-Gallic encounters, with Mulberry handbags being twirled and Louboutins were stamped but Mr Essen dealt with the tantrums, and the language barrier, admirably.

Somewhat against expectations, the Met regained the lead after a period of pressure on the French 22 and once again it was hooker Sam Bailey who carried the ball, along with both sets of forwards, across the French line. The conversion put the Met one point in front as the clock ticked into the final quarter. The Paris forwards started to lose some of their composure which was only exacerbated as they were repeatedly penalised for failing to release and playing the ball on the floor. Olly Newton forced his way through the French fringe defence to extend the Met's lead, Druce again adding the extra points.

The game then swung back in French favour. The French half-backs were pulling the strings but still the Met defence remained resilient. The Paris pitchside management became increasingly frustrated with Mr. Essen's interpretation at the breakdown but in fairness to the referee, he let the game flow and at times it appeared to his assistants that both teams were infringing simultaneously. The free-flowing spectacle certainly kept the crowd warm and engaged on what was becoming a bitterly cold evening.

Paris edged their way back into the game as prop Alex F barrelled his way over. Fautré completed his "hero du match" performance with the conversion that left Paris a single point adrift at 31-30 and eight minutes remaining. Many may have observed, your correspondent amongst them that in the last 10 minutes of every close game at the RWC, the referee was the most important individual in deciding the outcome. To an extent the point was proved here, although the Paris forwards became somewhat reckless in their search for a match-winning score, whilst the Met remained solid and resolute. Two kickable penalties were taken by Druce completing his 22-point haul and assuring a memorable victory for the Met.

It was a superb display by both sides, with the Met clearly raising their performance level to match a very accomplished Paris Police side who were several levels above the Met's Surrey League opponents in terms of skill and physicality. The crowd returned to the warmth of the Imber Court bar in great humour and the bonhomie between two great Police teams continued long into the November night. No doubt Paris will be itching for revenge which certainly bodes well for the establishment of a regular fixture between the Met Police and the Paris Police.