Following last week’s performance, Beckenham made several changes allowing for 2 academy graduates, Shaquille Palmer and Sam Brookes to make their debuts at 11 and 13

Beckenham, contrary to previous weeks started on the front foot. Time on the ball and good attacking shapes provided Beckenham numerous chances to open the scoring, however handling errors left the try line begging.

The first score of the game went to the away side. After a good spell in possession, a penalty in defense gave the Cornish 10 an easy 3 points in front of the posts. The scores in the opening half all came from both sides mistakes, with penalties preventing either side from getting a real grip of the scoreboard. Beckenham came back with a penalty of their own, with Louis Richards adding the 3 to bring the scores level after 10 minutes. With the game seesawing it was London Cornish who struck next, with the Cornish 10 given an easy opportunity to add the 3 points on 14 minutes, after another penalty was conceded by the Beckenham defense.

The first try of the game came Beckenhams way! An initial kick and chase from full back Will Berry put Cornish on the back foot. Chasing back and under pressure from the oncoming Beckenham defense. Cornish Looked to throw the ball wide. The miss pass however was read expertly by center Reegan Tarbie, who took the ball at full pace to run in under the post unopposed. Louis Richards adding the extras. 10 – 6 to Beckenham after 16 minutes.

Another penalty moments later, allowed Cornish to keep themselves within close reach of Beckenham and the away side eventually went into HT with the lead with the Cornish number 6 going over after a lapse in communication left a gap at the breakdown for Cornish to break through. The 10 added the extras to leave Beckenham trailing by 3 at the half

HT – Beckenham 13 – 16 London Cornish

Beckenham similarly to previous weeks came out the blocks firing in the second half, scoring after just 2 minutes. Having retained the kick off, neat phase play unleashed the forwards down the left hand side, with Liam Markey and James Blackmore exchanging to put in the supporting Craig Thomson in the corner. A fantastic team try! Louis Richards was also able to convert from out wide, giving Beckenham a 4-point advantage.

Minutes later Craig was able to press home the advantage with his second score of the game! An initial break from prop Graham Murray, allowed the supporting Thomson a clear run in under the posts. The scrum half dotting down reassuringly this week…… Richards adding the 2. Another 2 scores in quick succession followed. Liam Greene firstly going over out wide to secure the bonus point after Will Berry sucked in the covering defense. The second coming from the boot of Louis Richards who added another 3 points after Shaq Palmer secured a penalty at the breakdown. Beckenham leading 37-16 after 55 minutes.

Cornish however to their credit kept the pressure on Beckenham and deservingly scored with a very well worked team try scored out wide by the winger. The 10 was wide with the kick however. Cornish were now in the ascendency and this was compounded by Josh Smith getting a yellow card for a late hit on the Cornish 10 moments after.

Beckenham however struck back while a man down. Covering in defense a ball over the top from Beckenham was spilled by the Cornish defense after a tenacious kick chase from debutant Shaq Palmer, who tackled both covering Cornish defenders. Hans Laud-Anderson, pouncing on the loose ball to score. Louis Richards converting both tries!

The reaming minutes were all about the Beckenham defense. The blue and gold wall was holding strong with big hits all over the field including substitutes Henry Kenny and James Cleverly among others rebuffing the Cornish attack. The pressure did eventually tell however, with Cornish going over out wide late on. A deserved score given the pressure they had been exerting on the Beckenham line late on. The 10 was wide with the conversion.

Final score

Beckenham 42-26 London Cornish

A massive first win of the season for the 1s and a huge moral boost going into next week’s fixture, where the boys travel down to the south coast to face Chichester. Beckenham looking to make it 2 wins on the spin! Credit must also go to London Cornish who showed there attacking quality throughout the game and were very tough to break down. We look forward to travelling to south west London for the return trip.

Man of the match went to Reegan Tarbie, who put in an accomplished performance at 12 to spearhead the Beckenham attack.

Match report – Eb Ikedashi