12th April 2008 - London SE4 League Beccehamian 22 - Bromley 7 Beccs dominated Bromley in their final league game of the season scoring 3 trys to 1 and winning 22-7 to secure 4th place in the table for the 2nd year running. Both sides may have been mid-table safe from either relegation or promotion, but with a local derby adding a little spice to the occasion together with it being the final 1st XV league game of the season there were many reasons both sides wanted to win in front of the many supporters who turned out in the spring sunshine. The game started at a ferocious pace with some hard tackles flying in from both sides wanting to make an early mark on their opposite numbers. Beccs opened the scoring on 10 mins after several attacking phases stretching the Bromley defence inside their own half, with flanker Scott Spurgeon driving on towards the try line but being held 5 yards short. Staying on his feet he offloaded to Daniel Kemp in close support who scored a try under the posts, converted by Jim Bryan, 7-0. Just 5 mins later Beccs had a penalty and kicked for touch to take play deep into the Bromley 22. Touch was missed and the Bromley fullback realising his side had barely got out of their own half hoofed the ball upfield. Waiting for the ball to go behind their own touchline for a Beccs 22 a terrible mix-up and dropped pass allowed Bromley to pounce for a try against the run of play, converted, 7-7. The Beccs pack were outstanding all afternoon. Providing a great platform at the set plays winning 100% of their own line-outs, and second row Dan Harding stealing at least 6 of Bromley’s at the front of the line-out. The scrum turned the Bromley pack through 90 degrees on their put in winning 5 against the head. Openside flanker Scott Spurgeon was a thorn in Bromley’s side all afternoon being a nuisance at the breakdown and turning over ball. Jim Bryan regained Beccs lead with a sweetly struck penalty from 37 yards out just before half time to give Beccs a 10-7 lead when they were playing up the slope in the 2nd half. Beccs continued to dictate play through the determined and effective pack during the 2nd half, quick ball for the backs allowing H, Painter and Paige to join the line from deep and take play into the Bromley half linking back up with their pack. In response Bromley never gave up and are a determined side. Their full back was excellent joining the line at pace, solid at the back under the high ball and not afraid to attack from deep. As found out in this fixture earlier in the season he needs to be closed down, the only problem is getting close enough to do so! Beccs scored two further trys through a fortuitous bounce in favour of winger Neil Paige after 55 minutes, converted by Bryan, and on 65 minutes Rupert Chitty emerging with the ball after line-out and subsequent driving maul. But for some wayward final passes Beccs should have scored 2 or 3 more trys in the 2nd half. A deserved victory for Beccs and great performance to end the season. Team; N.Hayler (Capt), Sweeting, Appleton, Harding, O’Hehir, Jones, Spurgeon, Chitty, Quinn, Hooke, Paige, Kemp, Bryan, Painter, H – Subs: Reid, Anderson, Thirkettle