2's fight back to secure derby day victory over Westcombe!

Beckenham welcomed local rivals Westcombe Park to Balmoral Avenue, which played out to be a thrilling game of rugby.

Beckenham got out the blocks very slowly as Westcombe Park got their first try after just 2 minutes. The home side struggled early to get ball in hand and gave away multiple penalties, which the visitors capitalised on by scoring yet another try. 14-0 down Beckenham picked up their game and started to play more structured rugby, causing the opposition to concede their first penalty. Scrum half Lestyn Caddy kicked to the corner, and after a quick lineout, Chima Odum ran a strong line off to fly half Joe Dunne, to score Beckenham's opening try. This built up momentum for the home side leading to Joe Dunne, BJ Tarbie and Chima Odum all to gain a place on the scoresheet. However Westcombe Park picked up a couple more scores before the half to go in to HT with a slender lead.

Westcombe Park started the second half very well, with strong carries coming from both their winger and inside centre. Westcombe built on their half time lead with another score to take it to 19-29, leading for the majority of the second half. With a vital Beckenham try under the posts, Beckenham closed Westcombe’s lead to just 3 points and with the last 10 minutes remaining it was now all to play for. At this stage of the game, Beckenham had the majority of the possession and tested the tiring visitors defence with with a barrage of hard lines, Joe Dunne marshalling the attack well. Eventually Westcombe’s defence cracked. Substitute Sam Forrest broke the line with a strong run, offloading to the supporting runner Conor Palmer, who picked up his first senior try and gave the home side a deserving lead in the dying minutes of the game. With only less than 2 minutes left to play, all Beckenham had to do was keep hold of the ball and run the timer down. With second remaining, Beckenhams discipline slipped and the blue and gold gave away a silly penalty, which gave Westcombe Park one last opportunity to regain the lead. The ball was pumped into the corner and with a lineout on the 5 meter line, Westcombe were always going to maul it. Resisting the initial onslaught of the lineout, the Blue and Gold wall was impenetrable, resisting numerous crash balls and pick and drives. Standing their ground and defending the try line, James Curr managed to get over the ball in a ruck and win a penalty, to the huge ovation of the supporting crowd. James Curr then tapping the ball and thumping it into touch to seal a massive win for Beckenham.

Full time Score
Beckenham 33-29 Westcombe Park.

A fantastic performance and well fought win for Beckenham against a very strong Westcombe park. Next week the 2s welcome Dartfordians in a league and cup double header. If you are not travelling to Chichester to support the 1s, get down to Balmoral for what is sure to be another big encounter!

Team

P. Adcock, W. Looker, P. Hooton, C. Palmer, M. Holmes, M. Beard, R. Wilden, C. Odum, L. Caddy, J. Dunne (C), M. Furness, R. Roberts, R. Collin, BJ Tarbie, L. Caddy.

Subs - S. Forrest, K. Ilo, J. Matthews, C. Thomson, J. Burke, P. McPartland, Z. Mahutariki, J. Curr.

Report - Will Looker