Crowborough RFC VS Bromley RFC

BROMLEY ADAPT TO CHALLENGING CONDITIONS AT CROWBOROUGH TO GET THE WIN

Bromley’s first team travelled to Crowborough on Saturday in good spirits after a hard fought win the previous week. The team showed significant changes from their last outing with Banfield and Holland coming into the front row, Harding in the second row, Tommy Scott and Gray in the back row and Richardson and Laws in the backs. There was also a completely different bench of Steve Griffiths, Edmunds and George Scott the captain who has not played since August due to a bad knock picked up in a pre season friendly. Great to see him back fit and healthy. In the last two seasons when Bromley have travelled to Crowborough conditions and the pitch have not been great and this time was no different with Storm Bert producing a difficult swirling wind and persistent rain which got steadily worse as the game went on reducing the pitch to a glue pot by the end. However congratulations to the home club in getting the game on as cancellations can be a bit of a pain.

Both teams like to play expansive rugby but this was not the day and it quickly became apparent that Bromley were not for playing in their own half with Johnny Griffiths and George Hawkins pinning the home team back with howitzer kicks which had their back three scrambling around trying to clear their lines not always successfully. The away side were quickly into their stride and on three minutes were awarded a lineout on the opposition twenty two. There was much celebrating amongst the sizeable away support when this was caught but better was to follow as the pack drove the ball forward moving sideways across the pitch with the sat nav directing them towards the posts and with the try line approaching ‘Fingers’ Banfield took control and guided his frame over for a very satisfying forwards try. Number ten Griffiths converted and Bromley were 0-7 to the good.

Bromley were mainly in control and kept the pressure on and on thirteen minutes were awarded a penalty for offside and Griffiths again obliged.

Bromley kept coming and could have scored three more tries but they were held up over the line after doing all the hard work, Laws made a storming run up the left wing but with one defender to beat and Richardson in support but he did not pass and was buried by a very good tackle and finally one of the Bromley back row charged down a kick but in the process of picking up the ball to score it was dropped. Crowborough fought hard and were difficult to break down but they found it very hard to get on the front foot due to Bromley’s tactics and a suffocating defensive effort by the away side. Half time duly arrived with Bromley leading 0-10 but by no means secure.

As in the first half Bromley were on the scoreboard quickly. On forty three minutes they were awarded another penalty for a high tackle and there was no debate accumulate the points and Griffiths duly delivered. Twelve minutes later a poor relieving kick by Crowborough was picked up by Pillow and he set off on a little gallop which culminated in another penalty with the same outcome. 0-16 Bromley and still well over twenty minutes to play.

By this stage Bromley had deployed all their bench with evergreen Steve Griffiths on to give David B his customary rest, Edmunds in the back row and skipper Scott restored to number nine. However the weather was deteriorating quickly and playing became a bit of a lottery and the ball a bar of soap with multiple knock ons and scrums. It was a blessed relief when the referee, Mr Barter, who controlled the game well in demanding circumstances, blew his whistle for no side.

Today Bromley showed that they could adapt their normal game to tricky ground conditions and very inclement weather. It was not really a day for the backs but defensively they were very solid and worked the spaces well to give Laws his chance. More a day for the forwards with the front row comfortable scrummaging and prominent around the park, the second row of Pullen and Harding worked their socks off and both put in some huge tackles and the back row were like hungry hyenas scavenging all over the muddy terrain. It was no shock to see prop Aaron Miles being awarded Man of the Match as he seemed to particularly enjoy romping through the mud and left his impression on several of the Crowborough defenders. Four points secured and second place in the league with the last fixture in the first half of the league season coming up which is against Sevenoaks at home in two weeks time on December 7th, 2.00pm kick off. All supporters would be very welcome to attend this fixture.

Back at Barnet Wood Road, the seconds were entertaining Medway Thirds. The twos have suffered a couple of reverses recently and were chomping at the bit to get back to winning ways and they stepped up to the plate. In a high scoring and very competitive game they ran in seven tries and recorded a 43-22 win. Try scorers were Forey (2), Weekes (2), Rowe (2) and Carroll with West converting four. Man of the Match was Tom Rowe. According to the fixture card they are due to play this coming Saturday, 30^th November, away to Thanet Wanderers in the Kent Shield. If not their next league game is on the 7^th December with a delicious away fixture at Sheppey. Also at home on Saturday were the thirds who have been in good form. Their opponents were Blackheath. This was supposedly a top of the merit table clash but ‘The Club’ arrived fully loaded and although Bromley took an early lead they were put to the sword 7-52. The away side were on a different level to anybody they have faced so far but good luck to them.  Bromley’s Man of the Match was Callum Houghton. Next time out the thirds are away at Bexley also on 7^th December. So another weekend coming up which is technically blank – what can you say.