Bromley RFC VS Crowborough RFC

TRY FEST FOR BROMLEY

With changes to the forwards and the backs from the team that played last week, there were opportunities for some of the younger members of the squad to show what they could do in this home game against Crowborough. Playing down the slope the away side made a fast start and Bromley was under the cosh and struggling to contain their opponents. In the sixth minute, Crowborough seemed destined to score but the try-scoring pass was dropped. However, they were not to be denied and one minute later they launched a rapid attack and with the ball going through several pairs of hands the space was created for Streeter to score in the corner and with the conversion narrowly missed it was 0-5. During this ten minute spell, Bromley could have cleared their lines by putting the ball out of play and giving themselves a breather but they seemed to want to play from all positions and Crowborough took advantage.

The home side was stung into action and upped their game with Griffiths making a strong break up the left-hand touchline offloading to George Scott but good scramble defence got to him just short of the try line and the chance was gone. Two minutes later from a scrum number eight Wilson made a surging charge which was followed up by hooker Banfield who secured the ball and powered over. With the conversion, it was 7-5 to Bromley after fifteen minutes. Five minutes later Bromley was awarded a penalty about thirty minutes out and although well struck by Griffiths it shaved the post and the scoreboard was untroubled. No worries as straight from the twenty-two drop out Wilson caught the ball and offloaded to the marauding Hawkins who teased the opposition before passing to right winger Pillow who displayed skill and strength to get over the line and with Griffiths’ conversion Bromley had a nine-point lead.

In the twenty fifth minute, Bromley scored one of their trademark bonkers tries. They were awarded a penalty in their own half. Kick it up the touchline, secure territory and have the throw-in at the lineout. No too obvious. Plan B is a crossfield kick in the general direction of Griffiths on the wing. In theory, he is supposed to catch it and run sixty metres to score top left corner. No, the kick lacks legs and is gobbled up by one of the Crowborough backs who is presented with a clear run to the line. Somehow Bromley covers it but the away side is in full attack mode and only several crunching tackles keep them out. Then, as they did regularly through the game, the home side turned the ball over near the try line. Kick it out scream the crowd. No, let’s run it. George Scott led the charge upfield and with support from Wilson and Griffiths and a couple of hairy passes fly half Rice flew over between the posts for a converted try. Great stuff.

In the next ten minutes, Bromley created chances to increase their lead mainly running from deep with Hawkins, Scott and Bender to the fore but the scores eluded them due to good cover defence and a little indecision with the final pass. Crowborough kept themselves in the game and had sustained periods of pressure but they found Bromley a tough nut to crack. However, five minutes from the break they were awarded a penalty which they kicked to touch. From the resultant lineout, they secured the ball and Skinner picked a good line down the blindside and he was over and with the conversion by Cinch the halftime scoreline was 21-12 to Bromley and all to play for.

Things got even more interesting as early in the second period Cinch knocked over a penalty to bring the away side to within six points and game on. This really woke Bromley up and with the forwards providing a steady stream of the ball the backs got to work, Crowborough was chasing shadows and the score mounted. Centre Bender was first to trouble the scoreboard quickly followed by George Scott in under the posts and then a nice moment for debutant Storey to get a try courtesy of Monk and Wilson. There were three more tries with the last being scored appropriately by Banfield who had a fine game. This week he managed to stay on the pitch for most of the game. Final score was 57-15 to Bromley. Crowborough battled hard for long periods in this game but eventually was outgunned. Next week the firsts are away at Aylesford Bulls. A tricky fixture but the team will travel in good spirits after an uplift in performances and after today selection will be interesting.

Elsewhere the seconds bravely went across the road to Park House for a friendly against our neighbours. They returned victorious with a hard-fought 12-7 win. Congrats to them. At home, the thirds took on Dartfordians FOURTH team who proved to be more than useful. A high-scoring and feisty encounter ensued with the final scoreline being thirteen men to Bromley and fourteen men to Dartfordians and a differential of fifty points to the away side. Bromley did score over thirty points. Silly game rugger. Next week the seconds and thirds have no fixtures. Hopefully, this can be addressed to keep interest going.