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Sat 03 Feb 2024 · Counties 1 Kent
Bromley
1st XV
38
12
Back to Earth with a Bump !!
Ian GEERING4 Feb - 10:28
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After a successful and heart warming result against Charlton Park last Saturday, It was a completely different Story at Bromley.......when we were well beaten by a good Bromley Side.
Match Report by Rick Howe.
Our Referee today was Mr Harry Hopkins
It is just seven days since ‘Boro’s emphatic win against Charlton Park at Steel Cross, and just 12 weeks since Crowborough’s narrow win over Bromley in a close contest that finished 14-10.
It would not have been a huge leap to have expected a similar and keenly fought encounter on the excellent Bromley turf last Saturday, between the sides in fourth and fifth places but sadly that was not to be.
Crowborough were only showing two changes to the previous week, but by all accounts, the 17 long term injuries that Bromley have suffered this season are starting to return, and did it show?
Electing to play down the deceptively steep slope with the strengthening wind behind, Bromley started the match at pace, with the pack driving hard into the ‘Boro eight, and providing quick ball for their pacey backs, who all took the ball at speed and off-loaded to support, that straightened the line to provide space out wide.
Crowborough’s defence was initially slow to close down the gap between the lines, and allowed the attackers to control the defensive shoulder, breaking through first up attempted tackles all too often, keeping play deep in the ‘Boro half.
When Crowborough did manage to gain possession, their normally secure handling let the attack down as the ball was spilled in the pass or the tackle, handing the initiative back to the home side.
Bromley’s defensive work was quite exceptional with earth shuddering tackles that stemmed any ‘Boro progress, making getting out of their own half a lottery. With the running game not producing any real forward momentum, ‘Boro reverted to the kicking option, but without a real plan or aim, which simply handed the ball back to the inspiring #15 who needed no second invitation, tearing through the ‘Boro ranks to set up scoring opportunities almost at will.
During the first 40 minutes Bromley scored at the rate of a converted try every ten minutes to see the half out at 28-0
Estimating the slope and wind at a 14 point advantage all was not lost for the visitors as they started the half with the topographical advantage.
The wide open areas on the right of the park seemed too inviting to the Travelling Faithful, but ‘Boro preferred the well tried and tested format that had served them well during this season, and continued to run the ball into an impenetrable mass of solid flesh, that appeared all too often to be flouting the off-side line without sanction.
The more that the defence abused the official’s leniency, the more blatant it became, only occasionally being punished. In the absence of help from the official, a return to the old fashioned grubber or chip over into the space behind the advancing line would have served to keep the defence honest, but this was not to be.
As Bromley once more attacked up the hill into the ‘Boro 22, the outside centre broke through the gap and in the process of crossing the line spilled the ball. This was “déjà vu” moment for young Will Pitman, who several weeks ago in a similar position and similar outcome, scooped up the ball without breaking pace, and avoided the first up tackler and progressed to the 22 line. Here he broke through two tackles with support on his inside before crossing the 10 metre line closely chased by the opposite wing and full back.
Glancing up at the halfway, he realised that his pace was outstripping the cover and leaving the chasers far behind, enabling him to cross over in the corner for an unconverted try.28-5
Was this to be the beginning of an unlikely revival? Sadly not, but ‘Boro did strive to build on the momentum whilst stemming the free running Bromley attack to just two more unconverted scores, one of which involved a consummate cross field kick by the #10 straight into the arms of the left wing who only had to sit down to take the score to 38-5
However Crowborugh were not finished and continued to show the character for which they have become renown during the season. With the introduction of Freddie Simmons from the bench at prop, the fresh pair of legs took a short pass off the base of the ruck several metres out to score to the left of the post for a Jonte Fraser converted try, to take the final score to 38-12
This result sees Bromley leapfrog ‘Boro into fourth place on 56 points with the Sussex side sliding to fifth on 55 points ahead of this week’s opponents Dover on 36, who had a close home result against league leaders Canterbury II.
Our Referee today was Mr Harry Hopkins
It is just seven days since ‘Boro’s emphatic win against Charlton Park at Steel Cross, and just 12 weeks since Crowborough’s narrow win over Bromley in a close contest that finished 14-10.
It would not have been a huge leap to have expected a similar and keenly fought encounter on the excellent Bromley turf last Saturday, between the sides in fourth and fifth places but sadly that was not to be.
Crowborough were only showing two changes to the previous week, but by all accounts, the 17 long term injuries that Bromley have suffered this season are starting to return, and did it show?
Electing to play down the deceptively steep slope with the strengthening wind behind, Bromley started the match at pace, with the pack driving hard into the ‘Boro eight, and providing quick ball for their pacey backs, who all took the ball at speed and off-loaded to support, that straightened the line to provide space out wide.
Crowborough’s defence was initially slow to close down the gap between the lines, and allowed the attackers to control the defensive shoulder, breaking through first up attempted tackles all too often, keeping play deep in the ‘Boro half.
When Crowborough did manage to gain possession, their normally secure handling let the attack down as the ball was spilled in the pass or the tackle, handing the initiative back to the home side.
Bromley’s defensive work was quite exceptional with earth shuddering tackles that stemmed any ‘Boro progress, making getting out of their own half a lottery. With the running game not producing any real forward momentum, ‘Boro reverted to the kicking option, but without a real plan or aim, which simply handed the ball back to the inspiring #15 who needed no second invitation, tearing through the ‘Boro ranks to set up scoring opportunities almost at will.
During the first 40 minutes Bromley scored at the rate of a converted try every ten minutes to see the half out at 28-0
Estimating the slope and wind at a 14 point advantage all was not lost for the visitors as they started the half with the topographical advantage.
The wide open areas on the right of the park seemed too inviting to the Travelling Faithful, but ‘Boro preferred the well tried and tested format that had served them well during this season, and continued to run the ball into an impenetrable mass of solid flesh, that appeared all too often to be flouting the off-side line without sanction.
The more that the defence abused the official’s leniency, the more blatant it became, only occasionally being punished. In the absence of help from the official, a return to the old fashioned grubber or chip over into the space behind the advancing line would have served to keep the defence honest, but this was not to be.
As Bromley once more attacked up the hill into the ‘Boro 22, the outside centre broke through the gap and in the process of crossing the line spilled the ball. This was “déjà vu” moment for young Will Pitman, who several weeks ago in a similar position and similar outcome, scooped up the ball without breaking pace, and avoided the first up tackler and progressed to the 22 line. Here he broke through two tackles with support on his inside before crossing the 10 metre line closely chased by the opposite wing and full back.
Glancing up at the halfway, he realised that his pace was outstripping the cover and leaving the chasers far behind, enabling him to cross over in the corner for an unconverted try.28-5
Was this to be the beginning of an unlikely revival? Sadly not, but ‘Boro did strive to build on the momentum whilst stemming the free running Bromley attack to just two more unconverted scores, one of which involved a consummate cross field kick by the #10 straight into the arms of the left wing who only had to sit down to take the score to 38-5
However Crowborugh were not finished and continued to show the character for which they have become renown during the season. With the introduction of Freddie Simmons from the bench at prop, the fresh pair of legs took a short pass off the base of the ruck several metres out to score to the left of the post for a Jonte Fraser converted try, to take the final score to 38-12
This result sees Bromley leapfrog ‘Boro into fourth place on 56 points with the Sussex side sliding to fifth on 55 points ahead of this week’s opponents Dover on 36, who had a close home result against league leaders Canterbury II.
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