Bromley RFC VS Vigo RFC

INVIGORATED BROMLEY SEE OFF VIGO

What a difference a week makes. The sun was out, the pitch was firm, the BBQ was on and Bromley welcomed Vigo to headquarters. Our opponents are a well established side and definitely posed a challenge as was proved in the first half. Vigo had the better of the early exchanges and on five minutes when Bromley had not retreated ten metres the visitors elected for a shot at goal and duly got the three points. The next ten minutes or so were keenly contested with Vigo having territorial advantage and consequently possession of the ball. However the home sides defence was sound and they gradually began to get a foothold in the game. On eighteen minutes Vigo knocked the ball forward in midfield and this was swooped on by George Scott who made a break and slipped a pass to prop Ben Smith who made a few yards before giving a cute pass to the returning Nathan Wilson who bundled his way over to the left of the posts and Johnny Griffiths added the extras. Four minutes later another loose ball was picked up by Bromley and they drove towards the line orchestrated by scrum half Scott. This led to a penalty which was kicked to the corner and a slick catch and drive move ended with Miles caressing the ball over the line. The home side did not really kick on from there and let Vigo control the game without ever being really threatening. Just when it looked as if the black and ambers would get to half time with a reasonable lead the one minute to go curse struck again when they made a real hash of trying to clear their lines and paid the price when the Vigo number eight picked the ball up from the base of the scrum and crashed over. Half time 12-8 to Bromley and all to play for.

Straight from the kick off Bromley surged down the pitch and fly half Griffiths made a fabulous break which was carried on by George Scott who fired out a scoring pass to Alex Griffiths. Two minutes later and Bromley were on the march again when a kick to the corner led to a lineout and another catch and drive ended with the all action Robbie Brown scrambling over to secure the bonus point. Ten minutes later a great kick by fly half Griffiths resulted in panic in the away sides defence and they could not get the ball away and Monk made them pay with a touchdown which was brilliantly converted. Vigo did not give up and continually tried to breech the home sides defence but Bromley were all over them putting in several crunching tackles. After a plethora of turnovers by both sides Bromley emerged with the ball and good hands by the home team released Pillow who skipped his way over for a fine converted try. Into the final ten minutes and with the large crowd relaxed and the match won Bromley put the icing on the cake with two fine tries from Laws who is developing into a real handful. For the first good work by Bird put the ball into the hands of the effervescent Ben Smith who cleverly put Laws in to score in the corner and shortly afterwards a storming break by Brown gave the backs the opportunity to go through their paces and provide Laws with the opportunity to stride over for another converted try. Final score 46-8 and a job well done.

By their standards Bromley had a poor day last Saturday but today they were very much on it and although not always perfect they looked really good in certain periods of the game and their second half performance was very assured. Although never having the joy of playing in the front row myself it was fantastic to see Smith, Carroll and Miles expressing themselves with a number of barrelling runs which I am sure they will regale to anyone who will listen – probably the front row union. Next week they travel to Heathfield and Waldron and hopefully all the troops will be available for selection. In theory the seconds are playing Southwark Lancers and the threes Charlton Park but who knows at present.