Bromley RFC VS Sevenoaks II RFC

SEVENOAKS WIN AGAINST SPIRITED BROMLEY

Yet another wet, windy and bitterly cold Saturday for this clash between Sevenoaks Seconds who were third in Kent Counties One and Bromley who were second. On paper, it looked like it could be a tight contest and so it proved. Considering the awful conditions the pitch was in remarkably good condition but the wind, blowing diagonally across the pitch, was going to be a factor. Bromley showed a number of changes from the previous week with Withers coming into the front row, vice captain Brown returning, Taylor restored to the back row, George Scott starting his first full game of the season at scrum half and Powell resuming at centre. The bench, again, completely different.

It was expected that Sevenoaks would be strong considering the quality of players they have at their disposal and the first twenty minutes of this game looked pretty ominous for the home team. Playing up the hill they struggled to get out of their half being constantly squeezed and harried all over the pitch. It was no surprise when they conceded first. On seven minutes the away side had a lineout about twenty metres out. The catch and drive was initially repulsed but they kept recycling and their very large blond back row cashed over left of the posts and with the accurate conversion it was 0-7. Ten minutes later they were back again when, with good play, they created an overlap for their left winger to score. Another big chap – they had several of those. Difficult conversion missed. 0-12.

However, Bromley heads did not go down and they slowly but surely began to throw a few shots of their own. On twenty five minutes after some rollicking forward surges Banfield unleashed himself through a gap, skittled a few and Pillow, seeing an opening, appeared in support to get his hands on the ball and cruise over the line for an excellent try which was complimented by a fine conversion by Johnny Griffiths. This inspired Bromley and their frozen supporters and they now played their best rugby of the game not giving any quarter to their illustrious opponents and it paid off. On thirty seven minutes after going through several phases Powell, arriving at pace, roared through a gap and brushed past would be defenders to score a cracking try wide left and with an unbelievable conversion by Griffiths into the wind Bromley were ahead 14-12. They still kept coming and the pressure told with Sevenoaks yielding up a penalty in front of the posts which was duly knocked over to conclude the half. 17-12 to the home side.

If truth be told the scoreline could have been very different as both teams spurned changes to add to their points tally. From a Bromley perspective, prop Miles had a powerful run ending with him over the try line but he could not get the ball down and he was deemed held up and they also had a couple of catch and drives taking them to within a whisker of scoring but battling defence kept them out.

Although ahead there was a long way to go and as in the first half Sevenoaks were the dominant team for the first twenty minutes or so of the second period. They astutely used the wind to keep Bromley pegged back and on forty four minutes they had a lineout around the twenty two metre mark. They set up another catch and drive and although it appeared to have been repulsed on several occasions they just kept coming and eventually scored. With another unbelievable conversion, they retook the lead 17-19. The game was really afoot now and exchanges became intense, lively and boiled over on a couple of occasions with one individual from the opposition backs seemingly heavily involved. The excellent referee dealt with it cooly and calmly, issued stern warnings to both sides and the game settled down. Around the sixty minute mark George Rice entered the field of play eager to get stuck in. Shortly afterwards, the Sevenoaks pugnacious number fifteen went off on a little jinky scouting trip up the middle of the park. He did well and passed the ball only to be completely levelled by the afore mentioned Mr Rice. On sixty two minutes George departed the field of play to resume his position on the sidelines. Late tackle, yellow card and penalty to Sevenoaks. This was dispatched into the Bromley twenty two. catch and drive, try, no conversion and it was 17-24.

Bromley had no option but to go into all out attack mode and on sixty five minutes they got a kickable penalty to reduce the deficit to four points. They kept attacking but it was a bit frantic and wrong options taken gifting the opposition ball when they looked threatening. Going into the last few minutes Bromley, at last, got themselves close to the try line and Sevenoaks began coughing up penalties. The heat came on and time and again Bromley tried to crash over the line but heroic defence by Sevenoaks kept them out. Eventually, Bromley tried to go wide and a potentially try scoring opportunity went abegging. The whistle went and Sevenoaks seemed very pleased with themselves judging by all the hooting and hollering that went on. Bromley were a bit more resigned as they had an opportunity but it was not to be. Final score 20-24.

Did Sevenoaks deserve to win – probably. Could Bromley have won – probably. Bromley played some good stuff, scored two excellent tries, scrummaging was strong, defence magnificent at times and catching and handling by the back three in difficult circumstances was of the highest order. Sevenoaks equally were a fine side who were just a little bit more clinical than the home team in the key moments of the game and you could only applaud their defence at the end to defend their line. My own man of the match is David Banfield who used all his experience and guile to inspire those around him and it was a great pity he picked up a knock five minutes from the end as his know how may have made the difference in those last few minutes.

The second team ventured off down the M2 to play Sheppey. Conditions and the opposition proved to be very tricky and a very young side gave a good account of themselves but came second 19-33. The third team’s opposition Bexley cried off. It was a home game for them. Very disappointing and despite the best efforts by the guys behind the scenes no alternative fixture could be organised.

And so we come to the half way stage of the season. In Kent Counties One no real surprises to see Canterbury and Sevenoaks at the top of the pile. Bromley have done very well and are third with only two very narrow losses and have picked up points in every game played. They know they can compete with every team in this league but also know there are areas of their game they can improve on. At the other end of the table there are three teams adrift of the rest but two of those teams recorded away victories on Saturday. No easy fixtures for any team in this league. The seconds, new, to Kent Four. have done very well with five victories, one draw and five losses accumulating thirty one points. The thirds appear to be top of the Kent Metropolitan League but Blackheath, who have played less games, would seem to be clear favourites to win this division as they are averaging well over forty points a game and not letting in too many.

Next week the firsts are away at Charlton Park which is traditionally not a happy place for them. The seconds are at home to Dartfordians and the threes are away at Dartfordians. All matches kick off at 2-00pm.