A thrilling and over-whelming start to this mid-table clash secured all 5 points for a rampant Met XV. A fixture that has fallen foul of unavailability for both sides over recent years did at least get under way on a damp December afternoon. Sadly, Purley John Fisher made the kick-off short of several key players, and were no match for a Met side that was purring in all departments.
The Met backs had far too much zip for the valiant visitors. Two tries in the opening four minutes blew away the visitors. Sam Druce added another try to his burgeoning points tally and the flying Sunni Jardine ran in a first half hat-trick, plus a drop-kicked conversion. Dylan Richards scored the all-important bonus point try, having been restored to the back of the scrum, supporting a break by skipper Joe Stirrup. Stirrup had another outstanding game at half-back, having a hand in much of the Met’s best work.
PJF boast a big, if not particularly mobile, pack but the Met front five did a good job of managing the set piece. Ferguson and Short disrupted the opposition’s throw while securing their own comfortably.
A new back three combination of Jones, Daley and Payn marshalled the back field competently while Kallum Rees was a vital link between the half-backs and the explosive Jardine.
It looked as good as any XV the Met has put out this season and, in all honesty, a match for every side above them in League 2. Admittedly PJF we’re limited in what they could offer, but you have to beat what is in front of you.
The visitors suffered a run of injuries that cleared their bench. The Met sportingly reduced their own on-field compliment to keep the match a contest but the referee sensibly called time early, leaving Purley with their respect intact, while the Met claimed 5 vital points to take them up the table.