MATCH REPORT BROMLEY U15s v HASTINGS & BEXHILL U15s

MATCH REPORT BROMLEY U15s v HASTINGS & BEXHILL U15s

An experimental team took the field for Hastings & Bexhill Under 15s for a friendly match against Bromley. This was an opportunity for the team to demonstrate their squad depth as H & B could manage a competitive team without some regular starters as well as co-opting some of their number to bolster their opponents.

The skies opened and rain fell like daggers from the sky as soon as the starting whistle was blown. Despite the dismal conditions, both teams admirably attempted to play expansive rugby from the off. Inevitably, handling conditions were difficult and a turnover offered by H & B was seized upon by the impressive Bromley open-side flanker to take advantage of a gap in the H & B defence to score under the posts for a converted try.

Subsequently there was an increase in the physicality on show by both teams pursuit of dominance. H & B began to win the arm wrestle, personified by a thunderous tackle by Azat Kesen, followed by a barnstorming run. However a sense of frustration began to creep in as multiple penalties were given away for offside by H & B, several marginal forward passes correctly called and inevitably balls dropped in attack under the increasingly wet conditions. This spilled over into excess physicality that resulted in both teams being spoken to by the referee.

When the game resumed, injuries incurred by Bromley players meant that the number each team fielded dropped from 15 per side to 14 and then 13. This benefited the exceptional strike runners that H & B possess and the ability Finley Davies and Will Roberts to put them into space. H & B demonstrated that vouloir, c’est pouvoir and executed an excellent move after another powerful scrum to release Rupert Sheppard who could then put Toby Fielder in to score under the posts. This was converted by Jonah Cowell to draw the scores level which was a better reflection of the match and notable for the number of H & B players were involved. The restart was caught by winger Ben Coulson who carved through the Bromley defence like a knife through hot butter to score a spectacular solo try between the posts. Another conversion meant that H & B led 7-14 as the half-time whistle blew.

The teams were shuffled once more half-time, but the dominance that H & B had enjoyed before continued upon the resumption of play. A rare Bromley attack resulted from winning a scrum against the hold was repelled by an organised and resolute H & B defence. As the attack broke down, scrum half Finley Davies spotted a gap and ran the length of the pitch, evading several tackles to score. The conversion was missed, but the momentum was clearly with H & B. as the lead stretched to 7-19.

Foul play by Bromley meant that H & B had a penalty restart after the try. A clever chip released the dangerous Rupert Sheppard to have an uncontested run in to score another try between the posts which was expertly converted by Davies. The errors on show earlier that had halted many promising H & B attacks were not now apparent and the tiring Bromley defence were starting to become exposed. Another great backs move saw Will Roberts offload to Finley Davies putting him into space to complete his brace of trys for the game. The conversion attempt hit the post, but the lead was now extended to 7-31.

As the game entered the final two minutes; spectators, coaches and players were starting of think about the comfort of a dry club house. However a resilient Bromley team roused themselves to attempt one more attack and won a penalty on the half-way line. A missed touch-finder was caught by Rupert Sheppard who initiated yet another rampaging attack. The ball was spilled inside the Bromley 22 line, resulting in the final scrum of the match. One last push by the H & B pack meant that possession was regained and forward Harley Willans broke the gain line to start a move through the backs for man of the match Fenton Wheeler to touch down like a springbok in the veldt to secure a 7-36 for H & B.

Hastings & Bexhill RFC are always looking to recruit new players from 5 years old – adult, girls and boys of all abilities. Please see our website www.hastingsrugby.org or email minis.rugby@hastingsrugby.org for more information. Hastings & Bexhill RFC prides itself on a warm welcome to all. Come and have a free, no obligation try out.

Written by Philip Usher