|
|
Edenbridge vs St Francis, Friendly
Edenbridge travelled to Crawley to face St Francis for the second time this season. With many regular 1st XV players unavailable, a very young but committed team took to the pitch but in blustery conditions, including a brief blizzard, ‘Bridge battled hard on a sticky pitch.
The game began well for Edenbridge with the pack demonstrating their usual superiority at quick turnover ball, exploiting the Francis runners’ looseness on the ball and good work on the floor by the back row including Tom Moody earning himself a first start in the Ones. However ‘Bridge found themselves facing a 5 metre scrum on their own line; the ball went back for the clearance kick only for it to be charged down and the try scored by the home back row. 5-0 to St Francis.
More or less straight from the restart, ‘Bridge piled on the pressure. Reiss Caskey, now with a point to prove after his chare down scored a fantastic solo try; collecting his own chip through from his own 10 metre line to then step two defenders and run in for the try. The conversion went wide; 5-5
The second half saw Edenbridge trying o continue where they left off and to up the tempo further. Unfortunately for them, St Francis were in the position of being able to change half their team during the interval so they were now facing a rejuvenated opposition. The fresh legs in the pack were apparent as Francis drove the ball over the Edenbridge line for their second try, again they missed the extras 10-5 to the home team.
Edenbridge’s next score came courtesy of some sloppy work by the home fullback. A clearance kick by Sam Perry was collected comfortably by their 15 and instead of running into the space in front of him, he hoofed the ball back towards the visitors advancing line for it to be cleanly taken by Bobby Weaver in acres of space to sprint from the half way line to score. Weaver converted his own kick; 10-12 to Edenbridge.
Unfortunately St Francis were to score another try through their forwards which again they sliced wide for the conversion. With 15 minutes still to play, Edenbridge were still very much in the game. Their dominance of the lineout continued through solid jumping by Chris Jageurs and the regular turnover ball they were winning allowed them to camp in the St Francis half.
The winning score was not to come though as ‘Bridge, eager to turn the ball over on the deck, began to let discipline slip and they allowed St Francis time after time to clear their lines. The game ended 15-12 to the home team after what had been an excellent performance by some players asked to step up to the 1st XV; credit to the 2nd XV for developing them.
Edenbridge
Scorers:
Tries: Caskey, Weaver
Cons: Weaver
Pens:
Team:
15. Perry, S; 14. Snelling, J; 13. Smith, T; 12. Clarke, R; 11. Allwood, D; 10. Caskey, R; 9. MacGrath, B; 1. Stevens, B; 2. Lucas, P; 3. Battle, G (rep. Smith, B); 4. Kennedy, W; 5. Jageurs, C; 6. Moody, T; 7. Weaver, B; 8. Mitchell, D (capt.) |
|
|