January 31, 2001 9:42: ELEVEN tries, three yellow cards and a horse could all be seen at London Nigerians' Linford Christie Stadium as Bishop's Stortford produced their best performance of the season to score a vital 38-32 win.

The result saw Stortford leapfrog above their hosts into second place in the league.

The visitors were out of the blocks fast, driving up the field before the ball was released to Haysom who burst over the line with Haslam adding the conversion.

Stortford quickly increased the lead as Woodford and Floyd gave Nick Doyle a one-on-one with Dave Essien and he rounded his opponent to touch down. Smith then scored under the posts from a well-worked move to leave Bishops good value for their 19-0 lead.

A 16-man fracas saw Faiers trudge to the sin bin for the second consecutive week and he was joined by a Nigerians player.

The home side scored an unconverted try then a second Nigerian went to the sin bin as the half-time whistle blew.

The second half was a cracker with Bishops looking unassailable at times, and at others looking decidedly wobbly. Nigerians scored a penalty and a try to narrow the gap.

Stortford extended the lead through Smith and Haysom to leave the hosts needing at least three scores to win.

They got two to move within six points of the visitors. Play was disrupted as a horse rider gatecrashed the proceedings, galloping on to the pitch.

The match was eventually re-started with the horse off the field and Bishops defended for their lives in the final minutes to deservedly take the spoils.

London Nigerians32

Bishop's Stortford38

(London League division two north)

STORTFORD: Martin, Faeirs, Keen, Taylor, MacHardie, Collenso, Cook, Smith, Woodford, Haslam, Doyle (sub: Green 45min), Haysom, Paget, Waddell, Floyd (sub: Rosie 79). Sinbin rep Logan for MacHardie 35-45.

Stortford seconds beat London Nigerians seconds 31-20, the thirds beat Cambridge 51-5, the fourths lost 10-5 to Shelford and the colts beat Stockwood Park 33-0.