Ashford RFC VS Bromley RFC

DEFIANT BROMLEY OVERCOME ASHFORD

Bromley set off to Ashford knowing they had a very difficult game on their hands and it was going to take a huge effort to come away with a win and that is exactly what came to pass. The team showed a few changes from last week with Pillow moving out onto the wing to accommodate returning skipper George Scott and Powell reverting back to centre. On the bench, Godden and Walder both surfaced after a few weeks’ absence to join Carroll.

For the first ten minutes Ashford were all fire and brimstone pinning Bromley in their twenty two and laying siege to the try line. Their big powerful forwards made any number of surges and when that did not work the backs went through their paces stretching the away side’s defences this way and that. Bromley were heroic making endless tackles, Banfield made a monumental turnover, Hawkins delivered one astonishing relieving kick and when required the forwards drove back the frenzied pick and goes. One ferocious assault got the home side over for what looked like a certain try but no, held up. Having weathered this Bromley were grateful to latch onto an Ashford knock on just outside their twenty two and centre Griffiths got the ball to his brother Alex who made ground but a despairing tackler managed to just about grab his shirt, or else he was away, and he was bundled into touch. At the resultant lineout, Ashford knocked the ball on leading to a scrum which the black and ambers won cleanly. The ball was transferred and the two centres Griffiths and Powell combined to send the latter crashing through the middle of a startled home defence. Powell ploughed on veering over to the right where for all attempts and purposes he was stopped a couple of times but no he just kept going and suddenly he was through and cantering in under the posts for quite an astonishing and exceptional try.  Conversion good, twelve minutes on the clock and 7-0 up.

The next twenty minutes were hotly contested with both sides trying everything to get on the scoreboard but both sets of defences were absolutely terrific and would not be breached. Inevitably this led to a bit of kick tennis to jockey for position but neither side particularly benefitted. It was during this period of play that Tommy Scott had to retire after being on the end of a thumping tackle which led to the all action Godden entering the field of play. As the half was drawing to a conclusion Bromley started to go through the gears with J. Griffiths just pulling a penalty attempt across the face of the posts and then Hawkins instigated a threatening move with a clever chip through which was picked up by Rice who slalomed across the pitch, he had Pillow outside him in space but in trying to glide through a gap to deliver the try scoring pass he got blocked off. In the ensuing melee the scourge of Bromley, giving away a penalty in a promising position, reared its ugly head and the chance was gone and the interval came with the away side having a narrow advantage.

The challenge now was to build on their lead and try to put the game to bed. Easier said than done. Forty two minutes in and Bromley got the perfect start to the half. Near the half way line Ashford were penalised for a late hit, not the only one, and this was kicked towards the corner. Bromley caught and drove but the home forwards were penalised for collapsing this and J Griffiths knocked over the kick and Bromley were two scores clear. Ashford redoubled their efforts and it was all hands to the pumps for Bromley. On fifty five minutes Bromley began to creak and gave away two penalties in quick succession leading to a home lineout fifteen metres out. The away forwards switched off for a moment and they were caught out by a quick throw and in the blink of an eye Ashford were over in the corner – no conversion – 10-5 and game well and truly on. Neither side wanted to give anything away and a period of tactical kicking unfolded which, to be honest, the home side had the much the better of with too many of the Bromley kicks going straight to hand and inviting attacking options for Ashford.

However, Bromley got through this period and began to dominate and with the lineout working nicely and the scrum becoming increasingly dominant Bromley had the key to unlock Ashford to take the spoils. This paid dividends on seventy one minutes when after sustained pressure Griffiths knocked over a super kick after Ashford were penalised. Daylight, no, Ashford penalty two minutes later 13-8. As the time ticked down going into the seventy ninth minute Bromley got into a good field position and were awarded a scrum. Cometh the hour cometh the eight men. The pack set themselves and with the away supporters roaring them on they shunted the opposition pack backwards at a rate of knots. Penalty, no nerves Griffiths slots the points, a few minutes of injury time to run down, and the whistle goes, 16-8 Bromley.

This was a terrific game between two well matched teams with every player involved giving their all and the sympathetic referee letting the game flow. Bromley were defiant and faced up to a serious physical challenge with skill and bravery. They emerged victors due to great defence, taking their chances when they had them and a powerful display by the pack both in the loose and the set pieces. Credit to Ashford who gave it everything and challenged Bromley all over the park which led to an engrossing and exciting match for the large crowd many of whom had enjoyed a club lunch but not all. The seconds could not get a game but the thirds made the short journey to Dartfordians and put in a very strong showing to emerge with a comfortable win. Next week the firsts are at home to Cranbrook, unsure who the seconds may be playing and the thirds are up against Erith at home possibly.