Beccehamian RFC VS Bromley RFC

DISMAL DECEMBER FINALLY ENDS FOR BROMLEY

Losing to Beccehamians 0-46 last Saturday was hard to take but they played well and thoroughly deserved the win. Bromley had played pretty well throughout the season and got themselves into a good position in the league table. They had a very difficult set of games in December with Dartfordians at home and Canterbury and Beccs away. To get anything out of those games they needed everybody fit and available but the gods were against them and consequently, they were beaten in all three. Against Dartfordians they lost several key players before and during the game to long term injury and this was backed up by losing several more in a bruising encounter at Canterbury. The net result of this was a long debate as to whether a team could be fielded as six of the front row were out and seventeen in all not available for selection. As it was Joel Chance, who has barely played any rugby in the last year, stepped in to hook and Steve (Santa Claus) Griffiths at the ripe old age of 56+ came in at prop. Without these two no game would have been possible. Bromley had a very young bench with little first team experience at Bromley between them but they all got game time.

With so many changes it was going to be difficult for Bromley to be cohesive and structured but for the first fifteen minutes or so they held their own but found it difficult to exit their half. However, the pressure told and in the space of the next ten minutes Beccs ran in three tries two well constructed and the other off a poor lineout from the away side. 0-17. Bromley now had to get to half time with no further additions to the scoreline and regroup. However those old gods were conspiring against them again with Ansell and Chance having to retire, the referee remorselessly penalising the black and ambers and then having to play nine minutes of injury time. In the last minute of injury time, Bromley were penalised yet again, this was kicked into their twenty two and with a sweeping backs move the home side were in again and with a very good conversion they had what to all intents and purposes was an unassailable lead.

The start of the second half started of with Bromley on the back foot and five minutes in gave away yet another penalty in front of the posts. Surprisingly the home side decided to kick this as it was a prime attacking position. 0-27. At this stage the writing was very much on the wall but to Bromley’s credit they decided the best form of defence was all out attack and for quite long spells they dominated territory and possession and a few decisions actually started to go their way. However, Beccs are a dangerous side if you give them time and space on the ball and they manufactured a number of tries from deep as Bromley ran out of defenders. So the final whistle went and Bromley were well beaten and disappointed not to register on the scoreboard but they turned up and fulfilled the fixture. This is two years in a row they have gone to Sparrows Den ravaged by injuries and unavailabilities and had forty points plus put on them. If they get to go again next year hopefully they can turn up with everyone fit.

On the next pitch, Bromley thirds were up against Beccehamians thirds in a friendly fixture. They were here two weeks previously and got soundly beaten. Lessons were learned and they put up a much more robust challenge this time and restored a bit of club pride with a 36-17 win. For the first team, the man of the match was Steve Griffiths who remarkably played a full game and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. Nothing but admiration for him from all those Bromley supporters watching and a proud day for his family. The third team man of the match was Nick Formoy who has not played a lot of rugby in the last couple of years due to health issues and it was great to see him performing so well.

On Boxing Day there will be an inter-club game kicking off around 11.30 with a 10.30 meeting time. The bar will be open. Anyone who fancies a game, contact Dan Carroll or Ben Bromage. The next first team fixture is not until 6^th January at home to Dover. That gives three weeks to try and get all these injured players back up to match fitness. Not aware of any other games on that day as yet.