Cranbrook RFC VS Bromley RFC

BROMLEY WIN ON THE ROAD AT CRANBROOK

On Saturday, Bromley’s first team travelled into the countryside to play Cranbrook who are having a bit of a mixed season results wise. On paper, the team looked strong showing several changes from their last outing against Canterbury. Banfield and Miles came in as the starting props, Haisell was at eight, Tom Powell returned at nine with brother James at thirteen and Joey Richardson got an opportunity on the wing. The bench comprised of Withers, Gray and Pillow.

Although the weather was grey and gloomy and the temperature somewhat chilly the pitch looked in good nick and perfect for a game of rugby. It did not take long for Bromley to get into their stride and on four minutes James Powell made a powerful burst down the pitch and when he was eventually halted the forwards hoovered up the ball, steamed towards the try line and Banfield was over converted by Johnny Griffiths, in fact, he had a perfect record off the tee with seven conversions out of seven. For the next ten minutes or so Bromley were knocking on the door but Cranbrook defended with great gusto until the seventeenth minute when the first try was reprised with Powell again surging towards the try line, tackled short, the ball moved right, forwards stuck it up their jumpers and Banfield was in again. Would he go for the hat trick? Smart money on the sideline said no. More about David later.

Shortly afterwards Tom Powell took a knock and was substituted as a precaution and Alex Griffiths came into nine from the wing and Pillow took his place and he soon made his presence felt. On thirty one minutes Hawkins fielded a kick through and set off on one of his mazy runs beating several defenders and he was through with the full back to beat. He unselfishly passed to Pillow who made scoring look easy as he cantered in. Seven minutes later there was an almighty scramble on the Cranbrook twenty two metre line and Godden popped up with the ball. He deduced there was nobody at home and strolled over for another score. Bonus point secured. Half time was fast approaching but Bromley were not quite done yet as they produced a terrific team try just before the break. Most players were involved in a multi phase attack and it was left to James Powell arriving at pace to muscle his way over. The whistle went shortly afterwards and Bromley were 0-35 to the good.

With the game effectively over, could Bromley remain focused and push on. Two or three times this season they have got themselves into commanding positions only to let the opposition back into the game. It was pretty evident early in the second half that this was not going to happen today. From the whistle, Bromley were at it defensively and offensively. Five minutes in Bromley were awarded a lineout fifteen metres out. A clean catch led to a powerful surge towards the try line and hooker Milne was credited with the touch down. Five minutes later Cranbrook were penalised for a high tackle and Johnny Griffiths knocked this down the touchline. The lineout led to another catch and drive which Cranbrook just about halted but committed many bodies to do so. Consequently, Alex Griffiths delivered a try scoring pass to brother Johnny who dotted the ball down close to the posts. There were nearly thirty minutes to go but surprisingly the end of the point scoring for the away team.

They had further opportunities with Pillow making a startling break up the middle of the pitch but this petered out, Griffiths fly hacked a ball up the pitch and in the ensuing foot race and mayhem that followed Bromley scored again but when the referee eventually got there he disallowed it. Not sure why. Then the curse of the penalty reared its head and Bromley had a lot of defending to do in the last ten minutes or so and they did this pretty effectively. With a couple of minutes to go Cranbrook were close to the Bromley line and looking threatening but the forwards piled in and turned over the ball. Kick it into touch and game over. No

Mr Banfield emerged from behind the posts with ball in hand and started running up the field. Probably 80 to ninety metres to go for his hat trick try. He thought better of it and lived up to his recently acquired nickname of ‘Butterfingers’ by producing a delicate off load out of the back of his hand. He had not checked his rear view mirrors for support runners as there was nobody there and a Cranbrook player gleefully picked up the loose ball to score a try which was converted. What can you say? Anyway final whistle went soon afterwards and Bromley had a very satisfactory win 7-49. 

Man of the match was Harry Taylor who gave it everything throughout the match and has emerged as a key component of an exciting back row unit. However, there would be quite a few candidates for man of the match as this was a very good, well structured team performance. There are still aspects to work on but a style of playing is emerging that best uses the skill set of this group of players. Back at home, the seconds took on Kent Four leaders Canterbury Thirds. This would be a test as to where this young group were and what they might need to work on to improve. It proved to be a very hard fought game with little to choose between the two sides. However, Canterbury were a little more experienced and street wise and took their opportunities when they came whereas Bromley probably left a couple of scores out there. The away team took the spoils 13-29 and the seconds have a bit of homework to do. Their man of the match was Jake Morris. The third team game was postponed as the opposition could not raise a side.

The first team have two very challenging games coming up with the first at home next week against a much improved Heathfield and Waldron side who have been in the top two league positions most of the season. That is followed by a trip to Crowborough who are notoriously difficult to overcome at home. The seconds travel to Faversham and the thirds are due to play Kings College Hospital Seconds away.