27th Oct 2007 - London SE4 League Charlton Park 21 - Beccehamian 22 Playing down the slope in the 1st half Beccs recent form might suggest a strong start. A combination of Beccs lethargy and minds elsewhere coupled with Charlton Park exploding out of the blocks meant Beccs were immediately on the back foot thanks to a CP try after just 5 minutes and to some missed tackles and little communication, 5-0. The trend continued for the next 20 minutes when the CP full back and skipper punished Beccs silly penalties by sweetly striking 2 long range penalties to give CP an 11-0 lead after 25 mins. CP were most definitely in control of the game at this stage whilst Beccs were still in the changing rooms. Beccs only positives were No.8 Rupert Chitty continually carrying the ball over the gain line although slow support created turnovers and penalties in CPs favour, plus winger Neil Paige’s clever running and pace gave Beccs a base to try and build some phases from. Some clever and well executed kicks from fly half Jim Bryan pushed Beccs into CP final third of the pitch where they gave away a penalty for killing the ball just inside their 22 on the half hour, Bryan duly coverted to narrow the gap to 11-3. On 38 minutes and still looking 2nd best Beccs were given a lifeline when some pressure on CP attacking play created a loose ball which right wing Gbemi Fisher pounced on and cantered 40 yards for a try under the posts, Bryan added the extras to give an unlikely 11-10 score-line at half time. Some stern words from the Beccs coaching staff and players at the break were still echoing in the Beccs ears just after the break, more light was seen from the end of the tunnel on 42 minutes. Playing up the hill the ball was spun out to winger Paige who once again showed great balance and pace to beat several CP defenders and score from all of 40 yards out, converted by Bryan to give a 17-11 lead. Some loose lineouts from Beccs coupled with driving mauls from the CP pack advanced them nearer the Beccs line, chasing the game with 15 minutes left CP utilised their bench. On 68 mins, 5 yards from the Beccs try line, the fresh legs helped a CP lineout which was cleanly taken but well defended by the Beccs pack. From the base of the resulting ruck the CP scrum half found a small gap to score 15yards infield, a successful conversion was never really in doubt and CP re-took the lead 18-17 with 11 minutes to go. From the restart CPs attacking in the Beccs half continued. Great midfield defence from the Beccs centres Doug Murray and Dave Matthews gave Beccs turnovers and welcome time in CP half. A breakdown on the Beccs 22 created a flashpoint and Beccs main ball carrier Chitty was shown a yellow card and an early bath. CPs kicker duly slotted 3 points from the resulting penalty to give CP a 21-17 lead with 9 minutes to go. With Beccs down to 14 men and playing uphill the travelling support must have thought the chance of 2 points had vanished. Not yet ! CP may have thought their job was done however, Beccs and particularly the pack refused to give up. With 4 minutes to go and chasing the game hooker Sweeting turned the ball over at a maul just inside their own half, 10 yards infield. Flanker Scott Spurgeon picked up the pass, sucked in two CP defenders and made the off-load of the season to winger Paige. With little room and covering defenders Paige beat 3 despairing tacklers before being caught 10 yards short by a great CP tackle. He managed to through the ball back to fellow winger Fisher who had run all of 50 yards off his wing to support, a clever flick of the boot to avoid a possible knock on nudged the ball over the line and Fisher scored to give Beccs an unlikely 22-21 lead, conversion missed. Whilst there is no substitute for pace the platform all stems from the forwards who after a shaky start showed great determination, defending rolling mauls and creating their own, refusing to cave in and battling for turnovers at every breakdown right until the final whistle.