The unseasonal sunny weather and mild temperature meant that the match was played in ideal conditions for running rugby. It was Kilburn who took early advantage with centre Peter Donaldson scoring a try under the posts in the first ten minutes. Winger, Hughie Malloy added the conversion to give Kilburn a 7-0 lead. The visitors proceeded to show more attacking endeavour for most of the first half with their forwards edging the battles up front but failed to add to the lead.
Moments before halftime, the Cosmos missed touch with a clearing penalty kick. OMT returned the ball with interest. After two quick phases, centre Da Rocha touched down for a try in the left hand corner. The difficult conversion was missed but the score marked a distinct shift in momentum that continued into the second half.
The home side took a 10-7 lead just four minutes after the break. The impressive Da Rocha scored his second in the corner after good handling up the right. The conversion was again missed.
Six minutes later, the hosts spun the ball wide off an attacking scrum for a try this time in the left hand corner by Josh Quinton-Smith. Despite another missed conversion OMT were now in command at 15-7. Further misery was inflicted on the visitors midway through the half. A clearance kick off the back of a defensive scrum was charged down. Trapp pounced on the loose ball to add another try. The missed conversion meant that the Cosmos remained within two scores at 20-7. The home side added a further penalty to put an extra gloss on the final score at 23-7.
With the sun in their eyes in the second half, Kilburn struggled to deal with OMT’s persistent aerial bombs. As a consequence the home side had a huge territorial advantage which provided the platform for the turnaround.