OLD ALBANIANS were undone at fierce rivals, Bishops Stortford, as OA's slipped to their first away defeat of the season.

In treacherous conditions, the OA's defence held firm under early pressure and an early exchange of penalties were all either team could show for their efforts.

Pete Harries looked to have given the OA's the lead going into half-time with another penalty, but Stortford replied with a penalty of their own as nothing could separate the teams at the break.

Ten minutes into the second-half, OA's tried to change the flow of the game by replacing Dai Harries with Jefferies although Stortford continued to press and were looking the more likely to score.

A good kick into the corner gave Stortford a line-out ten metres from the OA's line and they made the most of the good position, executing a well-drilled catch and drive to score.

The score seemed to spark OA's into life and an exchange of kicks saw Stortford penalised for holding onto the ball in the tackle as Pete Sarries converted the penalty to bring the visitors to within two points.

Pete Harries had a chance to give OA's the lead with fifteen minutes remaining but his attempt from out wide just drifted past the posts.

Some desperate defending managed to keep Stortford at bay but the hosts eventually broke through to score the decisive try.

Another catch and drive from the line-out enabled Stortford to go over for the converted score as the home side took an enthralling match 18-9.

October 11, 2001 19:14