Deal & Betteshanger VS Bromley RFC

GRAND DAY OUT FOR BROMLEY

After last week’s win over Charlton Park Bromley had another difficult fixture away to Deal and Betteshangar. They travelled to the seaside with a strong squad so there was an expectation that they could put in a good performance. However, as occurs every week this season so far, there were multiple changes in the pack with some injured players returning to the fray and positional changes. Banfield and Carroll returned to the front row, Brown and Pullen renewed their partnership in the second row and Tommy Scott stepped into the back row. Deal has not been a happy hunting ground in the past for the black and ambers so the players and the coaches knew that they would have to be at their very best to get anything out of the game.

Similar to the away game at Folkestone Bromley got off to a fast start and improving young flanker Oscar Gray scored a try after good build up play and with the conversion the away side were 7-0 up. However fifteen minutes in and Deal reduced the deficit with a penalty and it was 7-3. This did not deter the away side and they got back on the attack and were awarded a penalty near the opposition ten metre line. Johnny Griffiths hit it straight and true and the seven point margin had been restored. Shortly afterwards and Bromley were back in the Deal twenty two and with a lineout in their favour. The catch and drive was repulsed but after a couple of phases, scrum half George Scott spotted a gap, sped through it and he was over the whitewash. With the conversion, it was 17-3.

The hope now was that Bromley would push on. However, after a bout of aerial ping pong, the home side managed to find some space and scored a breakaway try which was converted. Close to halftime one of the Deal players sustained a nasty injury which resulted in a lengthy stoppage of play. At the break, it was 17-10 to Bromley and the game was in the balance.

Deal applied early pressure at the beginning of the second half but Bromley repelled it and struck. Tommy Scott got his hands on the ball and delivered an amazing off load to Robbie Brown who in turn set up the backs to create space out wide and Rice delivered a perfect pass to winger Alex Griffiths to score in the corner – no conversion and the score moved out to 22-10. Bromley could not shake off Deal and back they came with a penalty to reduce the deficit to nine points. The next score would be crucial and Deal knew they had to chase the game. For the next ten to fifteen minutes they threw everything at Bromley stretching them defensively all over the pitch. Bromley were up to the challenge and displayed great discipline and structure in this phase of the match. After being pinned down for a long time they struck and delivered the coup de grace. Deal, running out of options, kicked through which led to Bromley picking the ball up and delivering a crushing counter attack ending with James, the poacher, Powell cruising through, scoring and putting the game to bed. Bromley win 27-13 and with the bonus point to boot. Next week it is back on the fun bus away to Thanet Wanderers.

COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH, JOE SIMPSON:

“The long trip to Deal can always be tricky. They haven’t lost many home games over the last few years and it has proven to us before to be a difficult place to visit. We knew this but wanted to get back up the Charlton Park win with another win.

We wanted to prove that we can beat traditional London 2 teams not just on home turf. The bonus point win was, of course, superb, but the boy’s attitude towards improving and wanting to score even more points was also really pleasing for me and Paul. This young team have a real desire for even more W’s.”