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