Old Priorians stretched their winning run with a win against relegation threatened Old Haberdashers', a late James Paxman try sealing the win as they fought back from 28-14 down at half time to eventually secure a 38-35 victory in a thrilling game of rugby.

Haberdashers' - who, realistically, needed to come away with something from this fixture to retain hopes of survival in Regional 2 Thames - got off to a dream start, Joey Gatus making a devastating break from the kick off to advance deep into the OPs 22, setting up a relatively easy chance for the first score with a little over a minute played, the conversion also successful to stun the Twisters.

Priorians were then able to get some purchase in the tie but began to amass penalties, from which Habs looked to capitalise ; a tap and go was taken around ten minutes in, kicked through, the return kick by OPs charged down and the Hertfordshire outfit eased in for another to stretch their lead out to 14-0, with respective recent form going out of the window.

Old Haberdashers' were guilty of their own indiscipline and Will Taylor's kick deep into opposition territory from a penalty set a foundation for a classic catch and drive, Ben Ridley the ultimate benefactor as the maul rolled inexorably towards the line. Taylor's impressive conversion halved the deficit with around a quarter of the match played.

Looking to restore balance, OPRFC appeared to take control of the tie and found themselves in good positions, culminating in a scrum just inside the Haberdashers' 22 metre line ; two tight phases later and a Rory Gaffney snipe produced the second OPs try of the night, his well angled run ensuring a score under the posts with Taylor able to add the extras and level the match with ten minutes of the half left.

Further indiscipline from the Twisters cost them following the restart - no strangers to the quick penalty, Habs floated the ball wide and made the space to score a mere two minutes after Gaffney's effort to hit back immediately, another fine conversion making it 21-14.

Some further push-and-pull followed as the half reached its conclusion, Haberdashers' gaining a try bonus point on the stroke of half time after a number of penalties against OPs meant they were camped back on their own line, the visitors taking the blind option for a relatively easy score to end the first 40 minutes very much in sight of a win, 28-14 at the break.

Priorians had to start the second half well - despite being down to 14 men - and came out firing. Tomek Tsang's break and kick forward forced a goal line drop out, his side playing intelligent rugby to move back into the 22. Luis Gomez-Rose capitalised from a lack of good defence at the breakdown to find his way through the gap and make it eight tries for the season, Matt Ilube converting with Taylor still off the pitch.

The numerical disadvantage did nothing to dull the OPs drive, who looked much the better team in the opening quarter of the second half ; indeed, Haberdashers' were beginning to accumulate a number of penalties themselves. With Taylor back on the field of play, he launched another kick to touch from the penalty as the Twisters looked to deploy the rolling maul once more ; Gaffney's impressive dive pass to Ilube was sublimely finished by the Nigeria international, an outside/inside step flummoxing would be tacklers as a try bonus point was secured for the hosts. No conversion, which would have levelled proceedings.

As the match headed into the final twenty minutes, there may have been a feeling in the Perivale ranks that a fightback win was on the cards, further served by James Paxman's try just beyond the hour after a well timed pass from Taylor as his side took the lead for the first time. Ilube's aesthetically pleasing conversion made it 33-28 to Priorians, though with plenty of time for things to change.

Habs - living off relative scraps for most of the half - benefited from yet another penalty against OPs and it was their turn to catch and drive, any resistance proving to be futile as the maul headed in under the sticks to set up an easy conversion to put Haberdashers' back in front with ten minutes to go, the tie set for a grandstand finish.

A somewhat cynical high tackle by the Haberdashers' loosehead saw him sent to the bin for the remainder of the game, from which Priorians looked to capitalise ; it set off a chain of penalties that proved to be fruitful, as the Twisters edged and edged towards the line as the clock began ticking down into the final minutes. Good phases played, OPs earnt the right to go wide and a looped pass to Paxman (now on the opposite wing) saw him dive in for his brace and potentially the match winning try, 38-35 as it went unconverted.

Three minutes still left to play, OPs had to be careful with possession and were eventually rewarded with a penalty in the final minute, kicking to touch, playing one phase before Gaffney booted the ball out to the sounds of the final whistle.

In keeping with recent performances, this was another high scoring, entertaining encounter, Priorians showing enough resolve to find a way back into the match against a fired up opposition who have shown an upturn in form in the last few fixtures. Gaffney was voted player of the match for a fine showing at 9, capped off by his first half effort.

The Twisters head to long term rivals H.A.C next week in a match that could help decide the title, while Haberdashers' are up against Aylesbury in a relegation grudge match.

OPRFC SCORERS

T : Ridley, Gaffney, Gomez Rose, Ilube, Paxman 2

C : Taylor 2, Ilube 2