Beckenham RFC 1st XV vs Crowborough RFC 1st XV

Beckenham RFC 1st XV 20 V’s With 75 minutes gone, Chris Yates lined up his third penalty of the afternoon in this keenly fought contest where there was never more than a score separating the sides, and sweetly slotted the ball between the sticks to put the visitors ahead by a point.
Following the mornings snow this game was at one point likely to join the long list of cancelled fixtures in the south east, but by kick off the pitch was in remarkably good condition and ideal for quick open rugby.
The scene was set in the first twenty minutes when both sides tested each other with defences nullifying attacks with solid tackles, whilst the , forwards contested every loose ball. With few clear cut opportunities this was always going to be a close fought encounter, with the eventual winner being the side that committed the fewest errors.
Having weathered the first quarter, Crowborough were marginally the better side, with Tom Ironmonger acquitting himself admirably, getting quick ball to Ali Main who rang the changes, distributing a variety of passes, chips and grubbers to keep the opposition guessing. Unfortunately with the kicks, the rugby gods favoured the opposition, for where the ball could have stuck in the mud, slithered or bounced awkwardly to the side, every time it kindly stood up at hip height for the defender to run onto and turn defence into dangerous attack.
Crowborough’s hard work was eventually rewarded with a try when Ironmonger took a quick penalty and found Sean Derrick in support who drew the defence before slinging a long pass to Tom Nicoll. With an attempted grubber hitting a defenders leg the ball bounced to Yates who brought the ball back to his forwards. Harry Sansbury, standing in at scrum half popped the ball to Ali Main who drew the cover before offloading inside to Gus O’Grady, who with fifteen metre to run took out two defenders before crashing over to score. Chris Yates converted taking the score to 0-7.
All too often, having scored ‘Boro rest on their collective laurels rather than applying the screw when the opposition are at their lowest ebb, and last Saturday was to be no exception, for within two minutes Beckenham were level again following an excellent dummy from their mercurial #10 who breezed through the ‘Boro defence before feeding his second row who blasted through the remaining cover to score a converted try 7-7.
Yates then put ‘Boro ahead with a penalty off the post before Beckenham levelled for a ‘Boro off-side offence. With five minutes to half time Crowborough were awarded another penalty which Chris Yates popped over, then to everyone’s amazement the official blew for half time. 10-13
The second half was very much of the same, with ‘Boro having several chances to break through but spilling the ball in contact which was then turned over. Beckenham were perhaps a tad stronger in this half, playing with the wind, and when they had a penalty opportunity, they ignored the three points and put the ball into touch deep in the ‘Boro 22. From the lineout Beckenham put on the drive and forced the ‘Boro eight back and over their line only for the ball to be judged to have been held up. From the resultant scrum the ball was moved to the blind side where the right wing scored in the corner. The kick fell short. 15-13
Perhaps the best Crowborough chance fell to Harry Sansbury who took the ball on his own 22, and broke into the opposition 22 only to be unceremoniously throttled with a grab of his shirt collar, the only reward being a penalty which came to naught.
With five minutes of the match remaining, Beckenham again transgressed giving Yates a chance to put ‘Boro back into the lead, which he did taking the score to a tantalising 15-16. Now all ‘Boro needed to do was to manage the remaining four minutes or so, concentrate, and play the ball deep into the opposition half.
From the restart, the ball was agonisingly knocked on. But it was not the knock on that was the focus, rather the comatose reaction from several of the closest players who stood transfixed waiting for the officials whistle to signify the scrum. If the team had learnt anything from the previous 76 minutes it was that to rely on official intervention was never going to be a wise tactic.
Indeed with no whistle forthcoming the Beckenham winger could not believe his luck at being given the freedom to pick up the ball and gallop unopposed into the corner for the score which went unconverted. 20-16
Left with little option but to secure the losing bonus point ‘Boro threw everything into getting into the home side half and deny them any more scoring opportunities, but anxious handing saw the ball spilled allowing Beckenham one final shot at goal which fell short but ate up enough time to bring the match to an end.
Crowborough have suffered several long term injuries to senior players in recent weeks, and it is testament to those who have filled their spots, that the team remains as competitive as it does. ‘Boro’s games are always entertaining and enjoyable, but for anyone watching with a heart condition or of a nervous disposition, their games should perhaps come with a health warning.
This week 28th February, Crowborough entertain neighbours Tunbridge Wells to Steel Cross where they can be sure of a warm welcome.
1) Richard Tasker. 2) Ben Martyn. 3) Damian Hayes. 4) Nick Hill. 5) Matt Botterman. 8) Gus O’Grady. 7) Sean Derrick. 6) Mark Bowers. 9) Tom Ironmonger. 10 ) Ali Main. 11) Matt Eyres. 12) Tom Nicoll. 13) Adam King. 14) Chris Yates. 15) Harry Sansbury. The Bench - 16) Andy Walters. 17) Mark Rosier, (FRR). 18) Freddie Purnell

Match Report by Rick Howe.