Men's 1st XV v Cobham- Report by Josh Hiscott

Beckenham were looking to continue their unbeaten start and take 5 wins from 5. What followed was an extremely eventful and close match that entertained the many watching fans.

The game began as a cagey affair, however the Blue and Gold could be seen to have the stronger start with Beckenham making many entries into the Cobham 22 without coming away with any points. Included in this passage of play was an unbelievable piece of covering defence from Tom Bateman following a Cobham interception in their own 22. Chasing down the opposite winger, he managed to put all his effort in to haul him down just before the try line.

The close match continued until the first key event in the game around the 30 minute mark. Some good Cobham attack mixed with some slight ill discipline from Beckenham gave us the first points of the game with a Cobham try under the posts duly converted by their kicker. Unfortunately in the process of this try, Beckenham outside centre, Gary Dipple, took a blow to the head. This blow was deemed serious enough to stop the game and ring an ambulance just to ensure that Dipple was safe and okay. This was fantastically managed by the physio, management team and the referee, and fortunately Dipple was okay, apart from a long wait at hospital.

Thus began a strange passage of the game, when the match was moved onto a separate pitch for the last ten minutes of the first half. This involved supporters and substitutes ensuring all the flags were moved so that the game continued as quickly as possible. This new passage of play started badly for the home side, slow to react to the new environment. An intercept was stolen by Cobham to score their second try of the game and take a 0-12 lead. This fired Beckenham into life when, 3 minutes later, Rimarni Richards was unleashed to score a well worked try which was duly converted by Lewis Bunton to take the score to 7-12, and 7-12 it remained until the whistle blew for the end of the first half.

The game was then moved back onto the first team pitch for the second half. Beckenham aimed to ensure they remained in the game by taking an early shot at goal, through Bunton, from a penalty which took the score to 10-12. 5 minutes later, Cobham returned the favour with a penalty kick of their own. Some more Beckenham possession and territory followed, however they did not manage to cross the whitewash, taking another penalty on the hour mark to take the score to 13-15 and ensure the score remained close.

Following this came a moment of magic. Reminiscent of a bowling ball knocking down its pins, Richards produced an unbelievable carry from just outside the 22, knocking down multiple Cobham defenders and breaking at least 5 tackles before crashing over the try line to give Beckenham their first lead of the game. Bunton, not messing around with the conversion, extended the score to 20-15.

From here Beckenham managed to control the game well, with particular mention to Hans Laud-Anderson, Liam Caddy and Andrew Knowles. This control led to another penalty knocked over to take the lead to 23-15. Some late attacking from the away side gave Beckenham something to worry about, but fantastic defence managed to stop them from crossing the line.

With the last kick of the game, Cobham attempted a penalty to try and secure a bonus point, however the kick missed.

A 5th win of the season secured, thus ensuring Beckenham remained at the head of the table with 24 points from a possible 25. No surprise was found with the man of the match award, given to Richards for his unbelievable attacking runs throughout the game which the defence could do very little with. A week off has been well earned by all the Beckenham players who will be ready and raring to return to action against Old Reigatian at Balmoral Avenue on the 14th of October

(Report by Josh Hiscott-Starting second row @5)