Parr Hare & Hounds 10 Haresfinch 40 HOUNDS' long-awaited first game of the season ended in a not-unexpected defeat by neighbours and old rivals Haresfinch.

But the final scoreline doesn't reflect a typically competitive local derby and with the return of a couple of missing players there is no reason why Hounds can't preserve Division Three status.

The inclusion of four converted wingmen in the Hounds pack suggested they would struggle in the set scrums and Finch grabbed three heels against the head, all of which led to tries.

Hounds started well and should have had more to show for their efforts than a penalty by stand-off Dave Meadows. But once Finch had taken the lead with a touchdown by second-row Paul Horsley there was an air of inevitability about the outcome. Two further tries by strong-running centre Iain Kenyon - one of half-a-dozen former Hounds players in the Finch ranks - and a disputed touchdown by player/coach Billy Platt saw the visitors lead 16-2 at half-time.

And when another former Hounds man John Jackson grabbed Finch's fifth try straight after the re-start, the game was as good as over.

Winger Lee Jones stretched the visitors' lead further before Hounds replied with a powerful effort from prop Karl Grounds.

Further tries by Gary Hudson, Tony Seabrook and Jackson put Finch clear but Hounds had the final say when centre Ste Hill grabbed a 60-yard solo try direct from a re-start kick.

The Haresfinch man-of-the-match, sponsored by Franco's Wholesale, went to prop Frank Goodier with Seabrook and Jackson also in contention, while for Hounds prop Paul Proudlove was a tower of strength with second-row Phil Thompson and loose-forward Ian Sherwood also prominent.

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