First game of the season we welcomed London Cornish to Balmoral Avenue. A new captain for the season in Hans Laud-Anderson got us ready and Cornish kicked off into the beautiful and hot afternoon sun.

We controlled the early possession and were pinning Cornish in their half. Not for a few handling errors in their 22 allowing Cornish to exit, however the tempo from the backs and some good hands off the back of a set piece and Jed Hamilton was in the corner for the first try of the game. This lead didn’t last long with us losing the ball from kick off and an offload in a soft tackle and Cornish were in for their first try of the game.

The game was very competitive and our defence, which we had been working hard on in training, keeping Cornish pinned back and allowing us to get a line out on their 22. Andrew Knowles with the cheeky call and Hans with a bit to do drove to the line carrying a couple of Cornish lads with him. Again the lead was cut short with some swift hands post contact and an overlap out wide allowing Cornish to get in behind and touch down in the corner

After a few passages of play and a few too many penalties against us, again Cornish managed to get on the outside and score again in the corner. Half time came with a big D set and turnover on our own try line. Coaches Dan & Matt with the team talk and we were ready to go again.

Our work rate again with the backs running our opposition around the park and causing them problems. Then off the back of a solid scrum and some hard running lines saw Dan Hamilton with his first touch of game get in and around under the sticks.

Not long after and a loose ball in the middle of the park, Cornish tried to kick into bungalow corner. However Vice captain Ciall with the read > charge down > collection > Try and now we were trying to build our lead. The lead was cut short again after Cornish found some space out wide after us flying out the line and a simple 2 on 1 was enough for them to get across the line again.

With not too long left of the game and some more good passages of play, we won a penalty and decided to take the points. Lewis slotted the kick and with minutes to go we just wanted to close the game out. Unfortunately Cornish questionably scored late on but Beckenham did close out the game and were victorious, 36-31

MOTM - Hans Laud-Anderson (Sponsored by Matt Henry)

Thank you to London Cornish for a hard fought game of rugby. We look forward to the return fixture at your place.

**Debuts from Matt Lovell, who joined us during preseason from Eastleigh RFC after a move to the area, Dan Hamilton- a seasoned 15s and 7s player who rejoined us from Westcombe Park, his younger brother Jed Hamilton- who played his senior rugby at Westcombe Park, Fin Kennedy- ex captain of Trinity School who won the National School Cup at Twickenham, Sami Suliman Beckenham squad player earning his first cap, and Richard Keefe- who joined us from Gowerton RFC in Wales also following a move to London.

(Report by George Baker, Loosehead Prop)