Bromley RFC VS Heathfield and Waldron

GREAT WEEKEND FOR THE CLUB

Saturday started with a very well attended Ladies Lunch, ninety plus and with two home games, there was a real buzz about the place. The first team were matched up against Heathfield and Waldron who are experienced campaigners at this level. The away side had the benefit of the slope and the sun, which was shining brightly down the pitch in the first half. Consequently, they kicked the ball high and deep into the Bromley half looking for errors. After two minutes they got the reward of a penalty for not releasing at the breakdown. It looked like a pretty sure fire three points but it was dragged wide. After this escape, Bromley went on the attack and surged upfield. They themselves were awarded a penalty for a tackle in the air which was dispatched to the corner. The ball was won cleanly and the forwards had three or four rumbles towards the try line before second row Ansell got his hands on the ball and instead of grunt he used nifty footwork to get Bromley’s first try which was brilliantly kicked by Johnny Griffiths. Five minutes later the home side were again calling the shots and H&W were penalised at scrum time and this was again kicked to the corner. Ball won and the forwards had three massive drives towards the try line. To their credit, Heathfield held this up over the line leading to a dropout under the posts. This was caught and again the forwards drove this on but this time the backs were released, the cover was sucked in and a long pass released winger Mirchandani who secured the ball and sped over from twenty metres. This was again expertly converted from the touchline by Griffiths and after about fifteen minutes Bromley were 14-5 ahead and looking good with all key components of their game looking well drilled and executed.

However, Heathfield had shown glimpses of an attacking threat in their backs with the number ten and the back three particularly prominent. On nineteen minutes they showed what they were capable of when good interaction between their forwards and backs led to right winger Slinnhawkins evading two would be tacklers and scoring in the bottom right hand corner. No conversion. However, the home team were very much up for the challenge and on twenty eight minutes after a dominant scrum Bromley produced a wonderful passage of play with the ball being passed through multiple hands before Haisell applied the coup de grace and the team richly deserved the applause they got. Heathfield and Waldron then applied heavy pressure for the last five minutes of the half and Bromley survived several assaults on their line but cleared the danger when they turned over a lineout. Half time 19-5 to Bromley

There had been indications in the first half that Bromley had the ascendancy at scum time and two minutes after half time there was a further indication of this when after a massive push the backs were released and almost got over in the bottom left hand corner. Six minutes later Ansell performed miracles to keep the ball in play and the ball ended up with Miles who scattered a few defenders, the ball was whisked along the line and Hawkins (not Slinn) joined in at pace from full back and sliced through the remaining cover for another terrific score which with the conversion eased the score to 26-5 and the bonus point bagged. Ten minutes later and again after great work by Miles, the ball was in the hands of the backline and with the ball being transferred quickly Hawkins was in again and with another super conversion Bromley were out of sight at 33-5.

Bromley were now in complete control and after a succession of scrums near the try line the referee awarded them a penalty try and the home side were up to forty points but were not quite done yet. The final try was also very well executed with lovely passing and handling shown by Pillow and Ansell leaving Alex Griffiths to run in and complete the scoring. Final result 45-5 to Bromley. This was probably the type of performance that the coaching staff and players have been building towards and now the trick will be how best to deploy the various skills and strengths this squad of players has to reach the next level. All the players put their heart and soul into this to create an all round terrific team display but I think Ansell and Miles deserve highlighting as their all round work throughout the entire game was outstanding. To be fair both teams will probably think they left a few scores out there but that is in a perfect world. Also credit to referee Mr Simon Goatcher who controlled the game expertly allowing the players to play and explaining decisions concisely, therefore, producing a really entertaining spectacle.

Elsewhere the seconds travelled to Cranbrook for a Kent Counties 5 league fixture. With Bromley riding high in the league and Cranbrook at the other end this, on paper, looked like an away win. However, as has been proved many times, there are no easy games in league rugby and a tremendous battle ensued. The teams were locked at 10-10 and due to the tightness of the contest one further score would probably be enough and Bromley delivered it to win 15-10 and was glad to get home with the points. Over on pitch two, the thirds were up against Dartford Valley in a Merit Table game and put in a storming performance to emerge as victors 53-5. Then on Sunday the Colts travelled to Dover for a league fixture and came away with a 22-3 win to seal a great weekend for the club.

Next Saturday we are due to put out four sides for the first time in a number of years which has been part of a long term strategy to get people playing rugby and enjoying themselves. So if you want to join in make yourself known. Every fixture looks challenging but that is the way it should be, Firsts are away at Ashford, the seconds at home to Colfeians, thirds at home to Beckenham and the fours away to Westcombe Park. 2.30 kick offs and we wish them well.