Once again enjoying the best of the weekend’s weather, a bright but windy day promised some end to end rugby with the firm pitch suiting the home sides pacey style of play. Beckenham were to play the first half with the wind directly behind them.

The side looked confident from the start, receiving the kick off and driving hard at the defence. Being held up in the tackle was a minor distraction as the Beckenham scrum turned on some early heat and a turnover duly followed. Looking to use the wind, Ginge made some early ground with a clearing kick away. The forwards were looking to set a platform for their halfbacks and unleash a talented backline. Abby and Steph ground away around the fringes, winning early go forward but a series of early and repetitive penalties, similar to those given against the B’s in the New Ash Green game were to rob Beckenham of any useful early pressure. H&F sensibly keeping the ball in hand and advancing into the stiffening breeze via tap kicks.

The pressure was now mounting on Beckenham who were being forced back into their own ’22 by indiscretions, but the defence once again held firm. H&F moved the ball swiftly from side to side to work an opening but excellent communication saw the scramble defenders snuff out any opportunity. Special mention to Porkie for being noticeably, and colourfully vocal. The first fifteen minutes also saw some hefty hits; Becks, Nikki and Charlie putting bodies on the line, and opponents bodies on the floor.

For all the forwards hard work to contain a mobile H&F pack, it was the backline that won the breakout. Esther picked what is fast becoming a trademark line from her roving fullback role for a clean break up field. A scrum followed shortly after and the forwards made a statement by wining the penalty to move play into the H&F half.

Helen then scored a mental point for the home team when chasing down a high bomb, flattening the H&F fullback and winning a penalty. The tactic was to bring further dividends later in the half.

With the scores level after half an hour the game was fulfilling its promise of being a tight affair. But a H&F lineout, thrown not straight gave Beckenham territory from a scrum. A strong run from flyhalf Ginge and smart support and offloading to Katy then to Izzy ended with the Iron hard number 9 being clobbered with a high tackle. Amy Hooton took the tap penalty up before Becks made extra yards and forced the pass inside to Helen who ran in the first score, before converting for 7-0.

A few minutes later saw Helen again sliding in to score. A kick ahead again not being tidied up by the H&F 15 gave Beckenham possession and allowed them to force a penalty. With the whole of the H&F midfield miles offside, simple hands saw Helen beat the dogleg and coast in. Another conversion gave a very healthy lead of 14-0 approaching half-time.

For the first time H&F were looking a little ragged. Unable to dictate tempo when in possession and struggling to handle the marauding Beckenham pack. The hard fast yards gained by the forwards were setting a clear platform for the backs, who enjoying the space, seemed intent on taking full advantage of the quick ball on offer.

Half time came with no further challenge to the scoreboard and Beckenham turned into the wind they had used very well in the first 40. H&F seemed more reluctant to use the assistance offered and were unable to really trouble the defensive line for the first 10 to 15 minutes of the half. Early changes saw Lizzy and Beth replace Katy and Becks.

Ginge took an opportunity to explode into the game in attack and defence. A few short phases of play seeing the B’s 10 make a 30 metre break and then had her racing back to touch down in her own in-goal to prevent a score. The resultant play saw Lucy off with a knock and Deb replacing her, prompting some forward reshuffling. The pressure continued and the H&F 12 used her size and strength to smash over for the opening score of the half. The lead was halved as the 2 points were added.

More changes brought fresh legs on for Beckenham, Chas replaced by Sophie on the wing. But it wasn’t enough to stem the pressure from H&F. After good work on the right it fell again to their impressive 12 to carry over the gainline and tie in defenders. A smart offload saw the winger cross in the corner and run round under the posts to give an easy conversion for 14 all just after the hour mark.

If the crowd sensed some trepidation at the way H&F had turned the game round it wasn’t apparent in the Beckenham players reaction. Good pressure from the restart resulted in a lineout deep into H&F territory. With Deb throwing, Nichole pulled the ball in and set quick phase play. Some trucking runs from Charlie, Nichole, Steph and Helen stretched the H&F line before a penalty was awarded for handling on the floor. Smart play saw Beckenham focus their efforts around the middle of the park and it was forward pressure which led to a penalty about fifteen metres out, slightly to the right of centre.

With only three minutes remaining the obvious choice to go for goal was made. Helen stepped up and calmly slotted the ball between the uprights to close out the match and complete a haul of all seventeen points scored.

Cue the celebrations of a job very well done by the entire squad with contributions from the bench and outstanding performances from the starting XV.

With a break until their next game away to Old Albanians on the 2nd November, the ladies will be able to enjoy a victory over a side who they were able to run with last season but who until today had remained just beyond their grasp.

PS: Congratulations to Abbie Pottier on not only a fantastic game but her 21st Birthday too!

Beckenham Rugby Football Club

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