Breakaway tries cost U14s dear

In what was a close and extremely enjoyable game Gs came out second best in the sunshine at Rectory Field. Due to the lengthening injury list this game was in doubt right up until the kick off but thanks to appearances by Harry N and Daniel A the game went ahead on the 1st XV pitch with spectators basking in the glorious sunshine.

As if to match the conditions the play was equally as exuberant with both teams looking to spin the ball out wide at every opportunity.

Gs started brightly and put Bromley under early pressure from the kick off. A sliced clearance and good line-out ball allowed Gs to progress to the 5 metre line but as too often today the ball carrier was isolated and a penalty ensued.

Bromley started to steadily get into the game and used their larger forwards to good effect taking the ball on before attempting to spin it out. In truth little was given by both defences and so it was slightly against the run of play when Gs were guilty of turning the ball over at the breakdown once too often and see the large Bromley centre receive the ball and run half the length of the field to score. Conversion was missed.

Gs looked to have drawn level when Daniel A picked the ball up out wide and used his blistering pace to outstrip the Bromley defence only to drop the ball in the act of scoring. With an evenly matched scrum it was some surprise to see Gs win a penalty which was nudged wide of the upright.

To add insult to injury Bromley then went and scored another breakway try from deep within their own half when the big number 5 was allowed to run, without any meaningful tackles, a clear 60 metres before touching down under the posts. Again the conversion was missed (0-10).

Just when it looked like heads might drop Gs secured another penalty and this time George Br made no mistake and calmly slotted the ball over. In the run up to half-time Gs then had their best spell of pressure from which it looked like Tyler O, todays MOM, had crashed over for a score only to be it denied by the referee not being in a position to see the ball touched down. Gs though continued in the same form and firstly Sam R and then George Br made good driving runs with the latter touching down. With the conversion taken the scores were 10-10 at half-time and everything to play for.

Bromley reacted first in the second half and put Gs under pressure from the kick-off. With the Gs defence slow to get out Bromley were allowed to take the ball out wide and with quicker hands and a better attack it was no surprise to see them go over in the corner.

Gs took the ball straight back and after some fine play by Daniel they secured a penalty out wide near the 22. In keeping with their tactics for the afternoon George Br opted for the posts and calmly slotted over from distance (13-15). Bromley though showed what they could do with ball in hand and after a concerted period of pressure when only last ditch tackles by Lewis, Joe E and Callum kept them at bay they did manage to pass the ball through several pairs of hands before going over in the corner.

At 20-13 down Gs didn't give up and with out best backs move of the day we passed the ball down the line only to cut back inside when going wide would have secured the scored. Not to be outdone the ball was popped out to Chris B who barged his was over the score. The conversion finished slightly short as did the match and Bromley had held on to win by the narrowest of margins.

Everyone who watched the match said what a great game it was played in the right spirit. A great speactacle for the U14s first appearance on the 1st XV pitch.