Date: 3rd Sept. 2007

Verulamians kicked off their season with a friendly against Beaconsfield at Cotlandswick. Vees were looking to follow up a good pre-season with a first win under the belt. But the first half seemed like it could be another long season for the London Colney based side. With a lot of new and old faces in the line up, Vees struggled to find any continuity in possession and discipline in defence giving away too many penalties. The quick Beaconsfield backs made the most of turnover ball to score three tries and The visitors raced away to a 20-0 half time lead.

The half time talk by coach Andy Wakeling seemed to turn things around for the home side as they settled into a more controlled game. Despite> the game going to uncontested scrums early in the 1st half after Beaconsfield lost their hooker, Vees heavier pack started to exert the pressure. Strong running from Fagen, Spyropulous, Wildey and Falder, constantly caused the visitors problems and started to create gaps out wide for the backs to exploit. Fly half Munien make the most of the space, helping Coyle, Gardner and Liddiard to all cross the line, rewarding the forwards efforts. The forwards then took a more direct route with old head Ward and new recruit Fagen both crashed over the line from close range, Liddiard adding the extras with the boot.

Despite a strong finish they had left themselves too much to do in the end losing 29-34. But Vees take a lot of positives into next's weeks last pre-season friendly away at Barnet.

Date: 3rd Sept. 2007

Verulamians kicked off their season with a friendly against Beaconsfield at Cotlandswick. Vees were looking to follow up a good pre-season with a first win under the belt. But the first half seemed like it could be another long season for the London Colney based side. With a lot of new and old faces in the line up, Vees struggled to find any continuity in possession and discipline in defence giving away too many penalties. The quick Beaconsfield backs made the most of turnover ball to score three tries and The visitors raced away to a 20-0 half time lead.

The half time talk by coach Andy Wakeling seemed to turn things around for the home side as they settled into a more controlled game. Despite> the game going to uncontested scrums early in the 1st half after Beaconsfield lost their hooker, Vees heavier pack started to exert the pressure. Strong running from Fagen, Spyropulous, Wildey and Falder, constantly caused the visitors problems and started to create gaps out wide for the backs to exploit. Fly half Munien make the most of the space, helping Coyle, Gardner and Liddiard to all cross the line, rewarding the forwards efforts. The forwards then took a more direct route with old head Ward and new recruit Fagen both crashed over the line from close range, Liddiard adding the extras with the boot.

Despite a strong finish they had left themselves too much to do in the end losing 29-34. But Vees take a lot of positives into next's weeks last pre-season friendly away at Barnet.

Graphics & Design: S. Mandelbaum (shalom@mandelbaumonline.net)