10th October 2009
Anchorians v HSBC
After last week match Head Coach Alex Browne read the riot act to the First XV explaining in words of mostly one syllabus that he will not stand for ill discipline on the pitch. The pep talk seemed to work because whilst they came out fighting they only had eyes for the try line. Using the home team advantage they allowed the referee to run the game and successfully registered another win in the Kent 1 League.
HSBC kicked off with the wind behind them and the ball was taken well by No8, Phil Dedman who quickly passed the ball out to Andy Pritchard who took the ball back into the HSBC half before being bought crashing to the ground with a thumping tackle by the visitors. A ruck was set up over the ball and the referee, spotting a misdemeanour blew up for the first penalty of the game against the visitors. With a 30m kick in front of him Richie Collins opted to attempt the penalty but first kick nerves got the benefit of him with the kick falling two metres short of the posts. Catching the ball the visitors touched the ball down for a 22 drop out. As the A’s walked back the HSBC Fly Half spotted a gap and took a quick kick which, carried by the wind travelled well down the pitch to be picked up by Full Back Adam Davison on the bounce. Meanwhile the HSBC winger was flying down the pitch bringing a quick tackle on Davison who dropped the ball forward resulting in a scrum for the visitors. Using their huge Loose Head Prop to good effect they forced the strong A’s pack backwards and with the ball popping out the back they started running and placed the ball over the try line for the first score of the match. With a successful conversion against them A’s were now playing catch up on home turf. Played swapped ends and following another penalty on the halfway line Dedman took a quick penalty to pop the ball to Rob Small, Dave Hadris and Ben Davison who took the ball on before finally passing on to Wayne English who dove over the line to score A’s first try. With a successful conversion by Collins English’s try pushed the team to another level and gave the team a much needed lift. From the restart A’s were all over the HSBC team and managed to get to within drop goal distance for Fly Half Antony O’Brien which fell just to the right of the posts. A’s were now familiar with the tactics of the visitors and were ready for the fast return. The kick, well caught by O’Brien was taken back at the visitors with an up and under which was well chased by both him and Ben Davison. The ball being caught by the HSBC inside Centre before being bought down by Davison who managed to stay on his feet and try to wrestle the ball from their player. However, on his own the centre was penalised for holding on a penalty was given just 5m from the HSBC try line. A’s opted to kick into touch but lost the resulting line out and the visitors kicked the ball clear to relieve the pressure on their line. A’s maintained the pressure on the visitors with individual performances from Hadris, Adam “George” Webb, Pritchard, Parker and the Davison brothers keeping the visitors at bay.
The second half was much the same but A’s were now beginning to show their higher fitness levels and really took the ball to the visitors. Where in the first half the sheer size of the visitor’s forwards prevented A’s starting any of their trade mark roiling mauls now they were able to set up and run with relative ease. A’s set up one 15 m out and drove forward making quick ground before Paul Knight managed to squeeze out from the back to dive over the line for A’s second try. With the score now 12-7 A’s were looking to squeeze out their opponents. Play was forced back into the visitors half and stalled for 15-minutes before a penalty, just in front of the posts allowed A’s to put the game out of reach to register 3 points with a successful kick by Collins. The visitors rallied for one last push with their huge Desperate Dan look alike No 8 driving through the lines getting within metres of the A’s line before finally giving a penalty to A’s which was kicked to touch to end the game. With the final score at 15-7 A’s had managed to maintain their 100% record in League matches.
Anchorians Man of Match was Adam “George” Webb for the go forward he gave the team and superb work in the line out and base of the scrum.
Head Coach Alex Brown said “Brilliant match well won by a team who were obviously up for the match. Next week’s match against Beccehamians should be exciting. Let’s hope we can maintain the 100% record.”
Captain Adam Davison stated “Fantastic team game which I hoped the spectators enjoyed watching as much as we enjoyed playing. I hope we get as much support next week away at Beccahamians.”
Next week’s game Saturday 17 October at against Beccehamians away
Photos courtesy of Chris Ferguson can be found @ http://www.photobox.co.uk/my/album?album_id=208871402