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Edenbridge v Lordswood, Kent Merit League 'B'
Edenbridge's league season ended with a determined performance against Lordswood. As the rain and lightening lashed down en route to the Medway town the team knew that hopes of running in 9 tries as had happened in December were likely to be dashed; Lordswood have a big pack and like to keep it tight. Sure enough pitch was suited to such a game plan, short and narrow with very sticky mud.
The game began with Edenbridge on the back foot almost from the off with poor handling a far cry from the previous week's impeccable display over TJs. With Lordswood playing only for pride they were a very different team to the one that had travelled to Coomb Field earlier in the season. Solid goal line defence however kept the waves of black shirted attacks at bay.
'Bridge never really demonstrated their ability in this match, too much ball was turned over at the breakdown as the visitors tried to to play the open and quick game that the conditions just would not permit. The need for a plan B for next season is very much apparent.
The forwards and backs alike though did front up well to Lordswood’s aggression in the contact and were not drawn into petty squabbles and fisticuffs as could have been so easy in this niggly match.
Reiss Caskey growing with each game produced two tries, both converted by Bobby Weaver to give Edenbridge the lead they needed only answered by a home drop goal in the first half. For too much of the opening half however, 'Bridge were having to clear their lines from the penalties resulting from Lordswood's misinterpretation of the ball being out at ruck time. With such a short pitch Weaver and Dave Wallis between them were able to put the visitors on the front foot in the home half but this all too often came to an end with a turnover.
The second half saw Lordswood come out even more determined and they scored two tries, both of which unconverted. Had the home side made the most of a first half scoring opportunity, snuffed out by a combination of poor play on their behalf and excellent covering work by Sam Perry and Chris Norris to defeat the 5 on 2 that faced them, the game would have looked very different. Likewise in the dying phases of the second half Phil Lucas prevented another try, stripping the man of the ball as he dived for the line.
The ball was hammered into touch by a relieved Edenbridge team, glad to put an end to what could have been a big upset and a derailment to their unbeaten run in the league since January's match against Vigo.
Edenbridge:
Scorers:
Tries: Caskey (2)
Cons: Weaver (2)
Pens:
Team:
15. Perry, S; 14. Lucas, P; 13. Clarke, R; 12. Wallis, D; 11. Norris, C; 10. Caskey, R; 9. MacGrath, B (rep. Moody, S); 1. MacInnes, A; 2. Lilley, C; 3. Battle, G (rep. Daniels, S); 4. Wallis, T, 5. Allwood, D; 6. Batchelor, S; 7. Weaver, B; 8. Mitchell, D (capt.) |
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