Bromley RFC VS Charlton Park RFC

WIN WIN WIN FOR BROMLEY

On Saturday Bromley had three teams out with the firsts playing Charlton Park, the twos away at Dartfordians and the threes at home to Southwark. Availability was better this week making selection less of an issue but some noticeables still missing.

The ones hit the ground running and were 12-0 to the good in the first ten minutes with two excellent team tries rounded off with aplomb by Pillow. There was a contrast in styles between the two sides with Bromley being more expansive and adventurous whereas Park were attempting to utilise their big forwards initially without much success. Bromley kept playing at tempo and the points flowed with three further tries before half time scored by Laws, Richardson and Hawkins. They were all well crafted and finished off but all were out wide making the conversions difficult but number ten Johnny Griffiths knocked three of them over to leave the half time score at 31-0 to Bromley.

The only real down side of the first half was a yellow card for David Banfield for some scrummage offence or other. Another card to put in his album. The beginning of the second half seemed to indicate that the Bromley show would go on as, straight from the kick off, Hawkins was released in space and there was only one outcome as he dashed through a gap to score in the corner. That was as good as it got for the home side as Charlton now had the advantage of the slope and with clever use of their pack they began to put the squeeze on Bromley and five minutes later they scored an unconverted try and then minutes after that they repeated the dose. Bromley defended well but struggled to get into the opposition twenty two and when they did they coughed up possession. The game seemed to be petering out but the away side kept coming aided by any number of penalty awards eventually leading to two yellow cards for Powell, penalty try, and Laws I think. This certainly helped Park and they scored another try at the death to leave the final result at 36-22 to Bromley and a five point bonus point victory.

After last week’s narrow loss, it was important that Bromley responded and there was much to admire in their first half performance and the fight they had to show in the second. However, there are areas they need to sharpen up on but it does not need me to highlight them as the coaches and players will be working to improve.

Meanwhile, the twos had a very tricky assignment away at Dartfordians in their second game in Kent Four. This encounter lived up to expectations and the boys battled heroically to get the victory with a penalty kick at the end to win 24-27. Dartfordians away is not generally a happy hunting ground for Bromley so to get the win, and in those circumstances, was probably very satisfying. The threes were at home to Southwark in a merit table clash. They had a core of experienced players and they needed them to overcome an abrasive challenge from the away side. The outcome was decided in the last play of the game with a converted try giving them the spoils 21-20.

So a good day all around but no time to rest as more challenges lie ahead so attending training and getting game plans right will me highly important in the coming months if this type of success is to continue. Those challenges start this coming Saturday with the first team crossing the road to play Park House, the twos at home to Old Colfeians and the thirds, also at home, taking on Elthamians. Three very demanding fixtures but exciting for all involved.