29th August 2009
Anchorians 14 V 17 Bromley
With
their new skipper, Adam Davison at the helm the match was set up to be
a friendly for both teams to try out new players and moves. On
the Savannah that was the Gillingham Anchorians pitch in Darland Avenue
(thanks to the recent very dry spell) all players put up a spirited
performance and considering that Bromley play in London 2 division, two
leagues above Anchs the final score line showed the true spirit of the
Anchorian players.
From kick off Anchs went out to show the higher league team that they meant business. An
early push from the kick off lead to George Webb charging through to
within striking distance of Bromley’s scoring line forcing a penalty
which was converted to a line out by Anchs. After winning
the line out Anchs put together a series of well practiced moves lead
to the ball being fed out to Anthony O’Brian who piled his way over the
line beneath the posts to score the first try. This was converted by new boy full back Ryan Dowling.
Very quickly Bromley pulled back scoring a return try which was successfully converted. Bromley
kept up the pressure but Anchs responded with very strong defensive
teamwork and Dave Hadris putting together an excellent high pressure
tackle two yards from the score line to prevent a second try from the
visitors. The relentless speed of the game, along with the warm weather led to both sides suffering minor injuries and exhaustion. However, the changes proved effective for the home team and Anchs continued to pile on the pressure. Craig
Webb kicked the ball down the pitch chased by Brett Little who applied
pressure to the visiting Full Back forcing him to take a quick kick
which Little managed to charge into touch on the 5 yard line. Bromley
lost the line out and Alistair Parker pushed on again forcing Bromley
to concede a penalty which could not be converted into points. The next ten minutes found Anchs fighting in their own 20 yard box again showing excellent defensive moves and good discipline. A
good pick up and kick by Webb took Anchs into the opposing teams 20
yard line and again good follow up pressure lead to a forced knock on. Continual
pressure by the home team lead to a 10-minute sin bin penalty for one
of the visitors for handling in the ruck but this was quickly evened up
by Anchs losing one of theirs for the same offence. A
quick penalty took the ball to Parker who fed out to Webb and Adam
Davison who took the ball into play and onto the 5 yard line before
being bought down by a spirited Bromley defence. Again though Anchs maintained the pressure and forced another knock on and the end of the first half with the score even at 7-7.
From
the off the visitors wanted to get back into the game and within
60-seconds had scored a quick try in the Anchs corner which could not
be converted. Anchs fought back and a chip and chase by
Davison took the ball into Bromley’s half but nothing could be made of
it and Bromley responded by racing the ball down the pitch, using their
very fast powerful wingers only to be stopped with a bone shaking
tackle by Ritchie Collins. Andy Pritchard collected the free ball and
passed the ball to Webb who again cleared the line with a long distance
kick finding touch well into the opposition half. Anchs
maintained the forward momentum with Webb receiving the ball and
running 30 yards to score beneath the post which was again converted
bring the score 14-12 to the home team. Time was now running out for
the visitors and they regrouped to push another attack into the
Anchorians half and were rewarded by a late try which was not converted. The
score remained and 14-17 to the visitors for the rest of the match but
proved that the home team have an excellent season to look forward to.
Man of the Match Al Parker
The next match for Gillingham will be at Old ShootersHillians 3pm KO
5th September 2009
Shooters Hill 5 V 14 Anchorians (Pre season friendly)
Following
last weekend’s narrow defeat by London 2 division Bromley Gillingham
Anchorians took on another London team away at Shooters Hill RFC in
another pre-season friendly and this week showed real determination to
come away with an impressive win despite not fielding a full strength
team.
The match kicked off with Anchorians playing into the
stiff headwind and immediately piling on the pressure against the home
team. However despite many well practiced, high pressure moves from
Anchorians Shooters Hill managed to keep the slate clean for the first
20-minutes. Both teams re-evaluated their position the home team seemed
to find renewed vigour. An impressive series of moves and good use of
their heavy front line bought them to within 5-metres of the Anchorians
line and it looked like they would get the first score. However,
trademark defensive work by the Anchorians team kept them at bay
forcing a penalty and the opportunity for a long clearance kick by
Craig Webb. This was chased by the Anchorians backs and despite not
finding the touch the pressure of the following back lead to a knock on
and scrummage. Good pressure by the Anchorians pack lead to the ball
coming quickly out the back of the scrum and an attempted clearance
kick which Flanker Dave Hadris charged down; this was collected by
Jamie Taylor who took the ball over the line to score the opening try
beneath the post for the Anchorians. This was converted by Richie
Collins. The home team came back immediately maintaining pressure on
the Anchorians try line but again failed to register a score thanks to
an impressive tackle by Anthony O’Brian. Following this play seemed to
stall with moves being played by both teams midfield until Webb took
charge and ran the ball through the opposition to score the second
Anchorian try. This was again converted by Collins. The remainder of
the game allowed both teams the opportunity to practice set moves but
failed to register any score until the home team managed to place the
ball over the try line in the final minutes of the game which was not
converted leaving the final score as 5-14 to the Anchorians side.
Captain
Adam Davison said “This was a good game played against a strong
opposition but the pride of the team was upheld and a good win was
achieved. Next week is the first league game of the season against
Sheppey and if we continue the way we have started we will have an
excellent season.”
Man of the Match Andy Wylie
The next match for Anchorians will be away Sheppey RFC, kick off at 3.00 pm
12th September 2009
Sheppey v Anchorians (Kent 1 League match)
Winger
Brett Little managed an impressive four tries against a lacklustre
Sheppey team at ‘The Ditch’ on Saturday. Each member of the Anchorians
team seemed eager to impress the selectors and were up for the match
from the off.
Anchs kicked off down the hill on
the ropey Sheppey pitch; the forwards piled into the Sheppey pack
forcing a quick kick to touch and early line out to Anchorians. The
line out was won by Anchs and the ball fed back to veteran Pat
Richardson; forming a driving maul the Anchs pushed the Sheppey team
back with Richardson squeezing the ball down for the first try which
was unconverted. Anchs maintained the pressure on the Sheppey back line
with many forced errors resulting in scrummages which Anchs dominated
throughout the game. From one of these scrums the ball was passed back
by scrum half, Rob Small and reached Little who popped the ball to full
back Adam Davison. Davison charged the ball into the Sheppey half and
was final bought down by an excellent defensive tackle by the Sheppey
centre. Despite the support of his team mates the ball was lost to
Sheppey with a penalty being awarded for a tackler coming in at the
side. The kick failed to find touch and was intercepted by Little and
passed to Wayne English and then Anthony O’Brien who kicked the ball
toward Sheppey try line. Chased by Davison the pressure forced his
opposing full back to touch the ball down behind the touch for a 22
drop out. The kick again failed to find touch with Craig Webb catching
the ball at pace and charged into the centre of the field but was
stopped with a thumping tackle which resulted in a knock on to the Home
team. The scrum was pushed backward forcing Sheppey to take a quick
kick into touch. From the line out Anchs used the line to good effect
with the ball final reaching Little who took the ball the last 20
metres to score. The try was unconverted. Sheppey seemed to find some
energy and managed to get into the Anchorians half with a couple of
excursions but each time the trademark Anchorians defence and good
discipline held up and prevented the home team scoring. Anchs responded
with tries for Little, George Webb, Craig Whiting before half time with
O’Brien converting leaving the score at 0-32 at half time.
The
second half started with Anchs again in the driving seat, within
60-seconds a mistake by Sheppey allowed Gareth Knight to intercept a
pass and make 15-metres before he passed to Richardson who managed to
get to within 20-metres of Sheppey line allowing the backs to catch up
and take the ball to an unconverted try for O’Brien. Within minutes
another series of well practices moves by the Anchorians left Little
with his forth try scoring opportunity to score in the corner. Anchs
maintained the pressure on Sheppey with another try coming out of a
backs move from winger Jack Gonsalves who collected the ball 22 meters
out to run in and place the ball down beneath the posts to make the
score 0-49. A final flourish by Anchs left Dave Hadris with a 30-metre
run to score in the corner of the pitch 0-54. Sheppey seemed to take
exception and decided to make the effort to get back into the game with
three tries, two of which were converted. Anchorians could not let this
go unanswered and Captain Adam Davison took the ball back to Sheppey
forcing his way through two tackles to score leaving the final score at
19-59.
Anchorians Man of Match was Craig Whiting for consistent attacking and defensive work throughout the game.
Captain
Adam Davison stated ‘I would like to thank everyone on the team today;
the win was well deserved. Sheppey seemed a bit lazy but they hit hard
and we knew it. That said we were by far the better side and our
training is obviously paying off. Despite the warm weather today we
managed to consistently put attacking moves together. Let’s hope that
we are able to maintain the fitness levels and take the league head on’
Next league game Saturday 19 September at Darland Avenue against Vigo.
Touchline pundits comments: -
‘
Fantastic game and win; Excellent attacking game with good promise for
the rest of the season; Good to see the veterans showing the youngsters
that they still have what it takes; Looks promising for the season if
we can maintain it.’