Beckenham 1XV looking for redemption after failing to beat todays hosts on both occasions last year. This wasn’t going to be an easy task as both teams went into the fixture undefeated in the league. The boys in blue and gold opened the scoring early on in the first half with fly half Lewis Bunton slotting a penalty. The pressure from Beckenham continued and saw an attempted try held up by the Reeds &Weybridge defence.

With Beckenham pressure mounting further, Reeds &Weybridge concede the first of many yellows of the day. Despite being a man down -RW managed to find themselves in control for a brief spell but were unable to capitalise as the Beckenham line held out. Having endured the period of pressure, Beckenham fought back and Dan Hamilton crashed over to get the first try of the day. 8-0 to the visitors as the extras were missed. Poor Beckenham discipline almost allowed their opponents to nullify Dan Hamilton's try but managed to hold up the RW attack on the line.

Beckenham again capitalising when it mattered with Dan Hamilton crashing over after some periods of tough defence. The poor discipline in defence was a common theme for the away team and this allowed for R&W to get their first points on the board, as well as losing a player of their own. Lewis Bunton slotting another penalty just before half time to keep the scorecard ticking over.

16-3 HT and Beckenham looking very keen to spoil the ladies day party.

Starting the half a man down, Beckenham allow the hosts to get a cheap 3 points to make it 16-6, but thanks to another Dan Hamilton line break and offload to Gary Dipple Beckenham extend their lead by a further 7 points. 23-6.

R&W seemed to rally after Dipple's try and after extended periods of pressure on the Beckenham defence, it eventually gave way to a R&W try. In the process Beckenham lost another player to the sin bin. Just when they thought their afternoon couldn’t get any worse Beckenham concede a penalty try and lose yet another player to the bin. 23-20 with 13 players on the park.

With momentum in the favour of R&W it was becoming a serious concern for Beckenham that they would repeat last years fixture, in which they scuppered a comfortable lead of 17 to let R&W take the win. R&W certainly got close to emulating that day when they drew level at 23 a piece, but some quick thinking on their own try line saw Fin Kennedy put Beckenham back in the lead. Fin, running from his own 10m line past a fair few disgruntled R&W supporters (and an electric Beckenham bench!) to put it down in the corner. 28-23

This game was far from over and everyone knew it. The tension was palpable. In a bid to sure up the defence, debutant Jasper Gee was brought on. The hosts, wanting a reason to celebrate, threw the kitchen sink at the visitors but the courageous D held out long enough for the final whistle to blow.

The whistle was met with some rambunctious celebrations by the visitors, and rightly so. Redemption for last year was hard earned, but that is just half the job. Beckenham and R&W meet again in January in what is set be another electric fixture.

MOTM- Andrew Knowles

Author: Richard Keefe- Starting second row.