15th Dec 2007 - London SE4 League Beccehamian 29 - Horsham 5 Beccs finished off the year on a high, beating newly promoted Horsham by 4 trys to 1 on a chilly afternoon at Sparrows Den. The basics were done right and Beccs scored their first try on 8 mins. With the pack providing the platform, the welcome return of Sean Welch at scrum half ensured quick service to young Tom Parker at 10. Simple hands down the whole backline almost put Paul Morgan in the corner only for a good cover tackle which held him short. Morgan off-loaded well out of the tackle to supporting centre Daniel Kemp who forced his way past his opposite number to score in the corner, converted by winger Tom Peacock, 7-0. Beccs extended the lead on 20 mins. A Horsham line-out 5 yards from their own try line was overthrown, the loose ball was gratefully pounced on by flanker Sean Jones, and the try was converted again by Peacock, 14-0. Horsham infringements at the breakdown encouraged the Beccs pack who were having a great day. A penalty on 30mins resulted in Peacock slotted it through the posts to extend Beccs lead to 17-0 by half time. Horsham started the second half the better of the two sides and clearly were not going to roll over without a fight and spent the first 10 mins of the half inside Beccs territory. During this phase from one of their mauls the ball went on the floor and was kicked infield, bouncing of an unsuspecting Beccs player it was picked up by a grateful Horsham player and they had a lifeline, conversion missed, 17-5. Skipper Grant Robinson was replaced shortly after Horsham’s try by Gareth Baxter due to concussion (a full recovery was confirmed later in the evening!) Beccs had had their wake up call and were playing simple and very effective rugby. Supporting each other when breaks were made, building the phases through the dominant pack who pushed their opposite numbers off the park for much of the afternoon, Sweeting taking what seemed like about 15 scrums against the head, Dan Harding stealing Horsham’s ball from the line out and the back-row ensuring quick ball from Welch to the young backline, all of whom were under 20 (save for Painter 26 & Kemp 29¾!). On 60mins a midfield break by Kemp just inside the Horsham half took play up to the 22, quick support secured the ball. Chitty running from deep broke at least 4 tackles to score 15 yards infield, missed conversion, 22-5. The game was put out of Horsham’s reach with 12 minutes left when loose ball was picked up by Gareth Baxter who cantered from the half way under the posts, converted by Kemp, 29-5. The whole side played well and needed to against determined opposition. Beccs now have a 3 week break until they face Folkestone Away on Saturday 5th January 2008. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Beccehamian Members & Supporters.