Majestic Magenta hammer Homerton

On a blustery day at the House of Pain, Downing lined up against Homerton for their first fixture of 2013. With Downing fielding an almost full strength team, Homerton could only muster 13 men. It was never going to be the visitors’ day. After the ensuing thrashing,  Homerton find themselves looking dolefully down at Division 2, thinking about life in an easier league.

Downing, on the other hand, took full advantage of the John’s-Jesus cancellation to go top of the league with a clinical performance. It was all over by half-time, as Homerton’s already depleted team was further reduced by injury, and the second half was played as a 10-a-side friendly.

The tries came from all over the pitch from Downing, but it was particularly the backs who tormented their opposition. Rees created holes all over the pitch and Janman scored a brilliant individual try with some scintillating footwork. There was a special moment for Oliphant as well as he scored his first two tries in the Magenta and Black. Rough-Witta, Guest and Hall also found their way onto the score sheet, Tombs kicking five of his seven conversions.  It was agreed that the score should be left at 50-0, and the second half was played out amicably by those who remained on the pitch.

Downing remain unbeaten at the top of Div 1, but have several matches left to play in the league as cuppers gets underway. They know that greater tests await them. Relegation looks inevitable for Homerton, although they may find some respite in Cuppers.