Men’s 1st XV v Bromley 30/01/2010

Home – London 2 South East

Report by Andy Ward

Won 31-7

Clearly, with Stotty leaving for the Middle East – everyone was in fine form and dancing and clicking their heels in anticipation of the peace and quiet which we will be able to enjoy! I believe Gordon Brown is to declare a National Holiday the day the plane actually takes off. It seems only fair that we get a day off in memory of someone who has done so much skiving in his life.

I digress. After last week’s win against PJF, it was again critical that maximum points were gained this week – and every week as it happens – and certainly no room for any banana skins! Similar to last week, we enjoyed an early try with Matt Sole going over after a good early break by Adam had caused a bit of panic in the Bromley defence.

Hove were enjoying both territory and possession and I don’t think I saw any action for the first half – being positioned on the Hove 22. Those on the Bromley 22 were seeing the game close up. A conversion by Adam and then a bit of a while before Sean went over for Hove’s second. Again Adam picked up the extra two on offer and Hove cruised into a 14-0 lead.

The Bromley six finally did one transgression too many and was yellow carded. Hove elected for the scrum from the resulting penalty and a classic push over ensued with Glenn getting the touch down. Adam again kicked the points and Hove were 21-0 to the good with four minutes to the end of the half.

No further score in the first half, and then the second was underway and the referee evened up the numbers by giving Rory ten minutes navel contemplation in the first minute of the half. A scrum was awarded within a minute and Paul had to come on and Jake was the makeweight.

Progress was slow for both sides as the game dipped a bit for twenty minutes – possibly so that everyone could go and get another pint? In the 23rd minute of the half, Sean went through for his second try of the game, but Adam couldn’t convert. Five minutes later, Bromley scored from a hacked kick after Hove had stopped because the ball was in touch. Play to the whistle guys. We must have words with touch judge Finlasson!

The visitors converted their score and the game was now 26-7 to Hove and the home side looked fairly comfortable throughout the game.A final try by Ben in the dying minutes of the game saw Hove go to 31 points where the score remained. There was some excellent forward play especially from the tight five – but three of them cannot be considered for the man of the match as they didn’t spend the requisite 80 minutes on the pitch.So, if for nothing other than the rampage that (had justice been done) would have ended in an excellent try, Stoffel gets the man of the match this week. Special mention to the others in the five (or six as it transpired) as Bevan, Rory, Jamie, Paul and Jake all played well.The backs were a bit reshuffled again and need to get a bit of consistency but I thought Ben had a good game at 12.

Next week sees the rearranged rearrangement of the previously postponed fixture away to Sevenoaks – and we must be at the top of our game for that. Sevenoaks also won this week (as did all the top half) and we cannot afford to drop a point. We should be looking to tighten the defence and not to let anyone over the line. Get back to the stingy ways!

So, well done all and see you next week.

Wardy