Charlton Park RFC VS Bromley RFC

GLOOMY DAY OUT FOR BROMLEY

Having not played since the 3^rd December Bromley had another difficult away game at Charlton Park. Bromley had the majority of their front five forwards available for one of the few times this season which was a bonus but there was a reshuffle in the back row as the excellent Nathan Wilson has departed to pastures new in Canada and the combative Godden was not available and so the back three was made up of Monk, Walder and Haizell (who went off early due to a head knock) and was replaced by Ansell. One or two injuries in the backs meant a slight altering of personnel. That said it was a strong side that took the pitch and the hope was for a good game against a Park side who have been on an excellent run of form.

Early indications for Bromley were good as they controlled territory and possession for the first twenty minutes or so of the game and were rewarded early on with a try by Monk wide right which went unconverted. They created other opportunities but were unable to convert these and in the end this was to prove decisive as the weather was deciding where this game was going to be played wit the wind blowing down the pitch and in the away sides favour in the first half. Slowly Charlton began to assert themselves with good defensive work particularly at the breakdown and they kept Bromley at arms length for the rest of the half. The home side were awarded two long range penalty attempts as the half closed and one was successful leaving Bromley only two points ahead and this did not seem enough and so it proved.

Charlton Park now took a firm grip on the game with their forwards driving powerfully and Bromley on the back foot. On forty five minutes Park set up a catch and drive and although repulsed several times they forced their way over and were ahead for the first time 8-5. The game was now up for grabs with Park on the front foot and Bromley defending for their lives which they did remarkably well driving their bigger opponents back on several occasions. However the penalty count against them was rising making it increasingly difficult for them to get out of their twenty two. With the intensity there came frustration among the away sides forwards with some of the treatment they were getting at the breakdown which went unmarshalled and this exploded about sixty minutes in when after another ruck a Bromley player was left prone on the ground and several Bromley forwards were incensed and an exchange of views was expressed. The outcome for Bromley was not good with Monk having to leave the field injured, Banfield yellow carded and Park getting possession of the ball.

This obviously affected the away side and shortly after they conceded another try and at 13-5 down they had a mountain to climb. Try as they might they got little change out of the home side and they ended up the victors. Apart from the first twenty minutes this was not a great performance by Bromley. The forwards worked tirelessly but the attacking plays broke down far too often with players getting isolated in contact, some wayward passing in promising positions and far too many knock ons. The penalty count against them was also far too high and killed momentum. Charlton Park deserved their win as they ultimately controlled the game more efficiently, their passing and ball retention was superior and from the sidelines they seemed to want it a bit more. However, Bromley will come again and they welcome Thanet Wanderers next week.