A spirited second-half performance by Barnet Elizabethans saw the team earn a 17-17 draw against Finchley last Saturday in London Three North West.

On a testing pitch which was waterlogged in places, both teams slipped and slid their way through the match with any bouncing ball becoming a complete lottery.

Finchley had most of the first half, scoring a penalty inside two minutes and extending their lead when one high kick was misjudged by BE’s full-back and the scrambled loose ball was touched down over the line for a try.

The hosts went further ahead when BE’s made an unforced error at the back of the lineout, allowing Finchley to grab a second converted try to make it 14-0.

BE’s elected not to kick at goal despite being awarded three penalties inside the home 22, and failed to take advantage from open play.

Finchley led 17-0 at the break but, inside a minute of the restart, BE’s were back in the game when captain Peter Moulton followed up a high kick and carefully dribbled the loose ball for a try which Gareth Chapman converted.

BE’s worked hard for their second try which Chapman scored and there were tense moments as they tried to salvage the game before a forwards’ move saw man-of-the-match Jim Mansfield force his way over for the equalising third try.

Had the last-minute try been scored in a more central position, the visitors might have been able to steal the win, but the conversion proved too tough and BE’s had to settle for the draw.

BE’s have no game this weekend so their next match is at home to Haringey on December 8 at 2.15pm.