Orpington welcomed Snowdown to Hoblingwell with both teams hitherto unbeaten this season. Neither side really knew what to expect as only a handful of greybeards and wizened veterans survived from the last encounter between the teams (that might be a slight exaggeration but it's been a while nonetheless). The conditions always looked like they would play their part and the floodlights were required from the start as the heavens opened; running rugby looked unlikely with the pitch heavy underfoot and a stiff breeze blowing down the infamous Hoblingwell slope.

Snowdown began with the elements in their favour and wasted no time in taking the lead following some indiscipline from the home side. A kick to the corner was followed by quick lineout ball and a slick move in the backs saw their centre go under the posts unmolested for a 7-0 lead.

Orpington initially struggled to impose their game on the visitors but cracks gradually started to appear in the defence; Luke Cooper almost broke free before a barnstorming run down the wing from Kieran Reed and Tim Olaniyan also looked dangerous returning any loose kicks. The home side were rewarded following a period of pressure as Snowdown ran out of numbers and Cooper crossed for an unconverted try after good hands from James Bridges and Roy Benyon.

A penalty from Bridges put the home side in front before a second uncharacteristic defensive lapse allowed the visiting scrum-half to snipe through a gap close to a ruck and finish well to put his side back in front, the simple conversion making it 14-8.

Orpington made a concerted effort to tighten up their game and were starting to assert their dominance in the scrums and through their driving play from the lineout, which was functioning superbly in the conditions. Snowdown were lucky to get away with pulling one maul down as it was about to go over the line but were unable to prevent Phil Lewis from battering his way over from short range. Charlie Warner also muscled over following a powerful driving maul and the home side held an unlikely 18-14 advantage going into the break following a half that could easily have been viewed in terms of damage limitation given the conditions and the strong start from the visitors. A late yellow card for the Snowdown did them no favours either side of the interval.

Orpington knew that an early score was crucial in forcing their opponents to chase the game against the elements and Cooper duly obliged, scoring in the corner despite claims of a forward pass in the build-up, which may have had some merit. Orpington were unable to build on their advantage and close the game out as comfortably as they would have liked, however, as Snowdown repeatedly battered at the home defence for several minutes. Orpington were lucky to stay at full strength during this period as a succession of penalties, mostly for offside, kept Snowdown deep in opposition territory. The Orpington defence was nothing short of heroic during this period as they repeatedly scythed down the marauding hordes of attackers, Gavin Jones and Joe Tang particularly prominent, although everyone played their part. Eventually, Jones did stray offside once too often and the referee dispatched him to the naughty step to contemplate his misdemeanour but the defence held firm in his absence and Orpington won back possession, allowing Bridges to clear the lines to relieve the pressure.

Seemingly undone by their inability to make their pressure tell on the scoreboard, Snowdown were splintered by a break from Warner, who looked like he might go the distance but, as the cover arrived, neat interplay between the galloping lock and Nick Byworth saw Steve Ashby streaking over from what is no doubt being reported in some circles as 50 metres by now. It is unclear whether the dive was for show or the scrum-half had just run out of energy by the time he reached the line.

Suddenly, Orpington found themselves 30-14 ahead and playing all the rugby. Working through the phases, the home side pulled Snowdown from one side of the pitch to the other before finding Lewis lurking in the wide open spaces, giving him the opportunity to stretch his legs and go under the posts. With virtually no time remaining, the visitors kicked off once more and Jones, no doubt energised following his period of rest and recuperation, embarked on a mazy run before feeding Cooper in space (albeit not much space) and sending the flying centre on his way for a now obligatory hat-trick, the conversion from Bridges bringing proceedings to a close and allowing the soaked spectators to make a desperate break for cover and some well-deserved nourishment.

The final score was, perhaps, a touch harsh on Snowdown but Orpington have shown this season that they are prepared to play for 80 minutes and have weapons all over the park. The victory was hard-earned and based on a strong forward effort, Jon Doyle leading from the front and enjoying his best game in an Orpington shirt; however, man-of-the-match went to Warner for an all-action display.