Beccehamians Vs Cranbrook - 7 February 2004 Kent 1 (Won 20-0) Report by Beccehamians' Louise Dennis Things seemed to be evenly matched in the first few minutes with neither side able to break the other's defences. However, with some excellent scrummaging and hard attacking play Beccs managed to work their down the field and force Cranbrook to give away a penalty within kicking distance of captain Marc Dennis (a tight head prop!). With the first points on the board the home team stepped up a gear. There were some excellent breaks by winger Xavier Darroch and scrum half Ben Wood. Eventually all the hard work played out in Cranbrook's half paid off. Spinning the ball out wide, Beccs were able to give Steve Benham the space he needed to speed over the time for the first try of the match. Cranbrook came back well and their backs, notably their full back, put Beccs under pressure several times. The Beccs defence held up well and some great tackling from both forwards and backs gave them a clean sheet in the first half. Despite going up hill into the wind, Beccs managed to maintain their momentum in the second half. Full back Nathan Simpson broke through into space several times but was denied a try by his opposite number, metres from the line on one occasion. With backs and forwards linking well, No 8 Justin Ellis was given the space to make a dash the line, but it was a perfectly placed kick from fly half Jim Bryant that gave winger Steve Benham his second of the match. From then on things went Becc's way - even a kick into the wind from prop Marc Dennis found touch inches from the line. Cranbrook never gave up though and continued to test the Beccs defence but on this occasion it was just too solid to penetrate. But it was the Beccs front row that eventually sealed victory with lose head prop Matt Appleton thundering over for his first Beccs try and once again Captain Marc Dennis slotting the conversion. Things are still very close in Kent 1, with league positions resting on the final matches. Beccs will be hoping to replicate Saturday's winning performance when they travel to Sittingbourne next week. For more information about Beccehamians Rugby Club visit www.beccehamians.co.uk or call Marc Dennis on 020 8402 6867.