Weekly Update - A Great Night at the Club on Friday
Sportsmans A Big Success:
A fantastic evening was had by all on Friday night, with a packed clubhouse entertained with stories from two true rugby legends Andy Gomarsall and Andy Powell. Everything on the night went really well and a huge shout out to club sponsors The Old Bengal for providing the food and to all the bar and kitchen team working to make the whole evening such a success. Also a big thanks to everyone who attended and bought auction prizes, all contributing vital funds towards our new floodlight project.
2s Stay Top of League:
On Saturday the 2nd XV travelled away to play Risborough 1st team and had a comprehensive win. Its so difficult for teams who are struggling for numbers and keeping themselves afloat, a place our 2nd XV found themselves in only a few seasons ago. Risborough stayed in the match throughout and never gave up despite a clear gap between the sides. They were a credit to their club and should be proud.
Panthers Continue Fine Form:
A strong women’s squad went to Aylesbury to carry on our great season. The team narrowly lost the match but a number of real positives still.
First appearances at 10 for Ellie Gilbert, Siobhan Bennett 100% of the tee, and Lauren Freeman leading from the front. We showed some great defences, making Aylesbury work really hard for any points. In attack, we had some great first phase strikes sending Effy and Lydia off on some great runs. We finished with 2 forwards at 12 and 14, showing the forwards are the real MVPs. What a squad effort and a great day all around.
Colts Win vs Newbury:
Our Colts played Newbury Bs on Sunday, proving too strong for the opposition. Defence was superb again and we ran in 6 tries for a bonus point win, 36-7. This sets us up nicely for a mouth watering, top of the table league match on February 8th against A&C at home. (Full Newbury match report below)
U16s Win vs Henley Away:
A cracking win for U16s in a friendly v Henley, away. A contested game but with passing out of the tackle and quick recycling creating the point of difference with BRFC winning 24-35. Superb from all boys but notable mention for Jack Scard with most tries and high tackle count.
U13s - Two Matches Played, One Draw and One Loss:
The Under 13s were delighted to field two competitive sides over the weekend. The Bulldogs traveled for a friendly away fixture against Oxford Harlequins, while the Bears hosted Chinnor in an Oxford Cup tie. Both matches were fiercely contested. The Bears’ encounter with Chinnor was a physical battle that fittingly ended in a draw after a highly entertaining game. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs played Oxford Harlequins on their excellent 4G pitch under perfect conditions, with the hosts narrowly edging out the win.
London Irish Chairmans Lunch - SOLD OUT:
The next pre-match lunch on February 14th is now sold out. Apart from our annual Christmas lunch we rarely sell out our pre-match lunches, so another great example of the position the club is in. Thank you everyone for your support.
Hopefully the weather will start to pick up soon - enjoy your week
Noel
Beaconsfield Colts Match Report vs Newbury 25th January (away at Newbury) - *7 - 36 WIN*
This week’s Colts fixture saw us on the road again, for the final away fixture of the season.
Fresh off the back of a gritty but well deserved win against Henly, the match up against Newbury was, at least on paper, due to be a less difficult fixture. It was one that still required us to be fully focused and deal with some different challenges in order to secure maximum points as we look to keep our league title hopes alive a going into the final 3 games of the season.
It’s a testament to the Beaconsfield Colts squad depth that despite a number of notable absences from the match day squad including talismanic captain Freddie Taylor, the starting XV was certainly considered strong as well as highly capable replacements bench.
For those of you familiar with Newbury’s ‘back pitches, ‘Yes’, we were playing on the ‘THAT’ pitch, always wet, always windy, always cold.
The opening 2-3 minutes was a classic period of each team sounding each other out. The conditions making it difficult for either side to build early structure but before the match had got into any kind of rhythm, Henry A had picked out a sloppy loose ball and ghosted past three Newbury players to open the scoring. After a narrowly missed conversion Beaconsfield settled into a fairly comfortable pattern of play for the next 10 minute period. Forwards setting effective attacking pods, clear rucking and clean possession for Charlie G to unleash the back line. Training ground moves were generally landing but an occasional forced pass or poor support line would be the primary cause of frustration and the untimely ending of a promising play.
Newbury were definitely there to compete and defensively they were a match for the most part. Line breaks were certainly being made, especially through Kingsley, Senan and Oli R but the score board remained still until the 11th minute and a simple but silky charge by Dylan S split broke the line and he glided under the posts for a Jonah converted try.
The next 10 minutes of the match followed a similar pattern, neither side being particularly effective with the kicking game, Newbury relying significantly on 2 or 3 heavy, ‘route one’ runners and attempts to attack centrally. Opposition charges were comprehensively repelled by the ever- resilient Beaconsfield defensive line, Newbury resorting to attacking ‘plan A’ time after time despite its consistently ineffective outcome, Beaconsfield were in control of this match.
When assessed against the Colts own high standards, the degree of territorial dominance was not reflected in the level of possession won. Coming up to 20 minutes into the match, Beaconsfield had perfect attacking line out 10m from the opposition line. On the training field we would have executed this 99 time 100 but typical of the day, a clean catch and a partially formed set and drive allowed a Newbury hand to come through to snuff out a drive that would likely have extended the lead.
Frustrating for the players? Certainly, but not something on which they would dwell. Whilst Newbury won a turn over, heavy scrum pressure and a refusal by Beaconsfield to give the Newbury 10 an easy out, sustained pressure and a heroic charge down by Kingsley Thompson was rewarded with a cheeky tie under the posts.
The game to this point certainly had its physical moments but was not a moody affair. Newbury should consider themselves unlucky to be down to 14 after a high tackle put their flanker into the bin. A mere 3 minutes later and against the run of play, the typically stoic defensive Beaconsfield wall suffered a lapse in co-ordination allowed Newbury to break the line on a narrow blind side attack and at 7-17 felt they were back in the game. Certainly a warning for Beaconsfiled.
The resulting kickoff lead to another ineffective Newbury clearance and a return with interest from Henry supported by Charlie. Possession was recycled and forward pods were once again breaking the line. Having been down a try 2 minutes earlier a Rampaging Tuffty powered over to complete another text book period of pod driven dominance and tight, disciplined attacking lines. The 4th try providing the bonus point that we had set as a target for this game.
Losing Oli R after a hand injury was a big loss for the Beaconsfield boys mid way through the first half but they got to the half time break well in control and 7-24 in the lead.
Standout first half performances from Dylan and Kingsley really helped establish Beaconsfield’s dominance and Newbury were struggling.
Several positional changes at half time required Beaconsfield to reconfigure their plans. The wind was now in our favour and the Newbury boys were certainly showing signs of fatigue and also changed personnel at the break, strengthening their midfield in particular.
Beaconsfield got off to the perfect start. Another simple but highly effective attacking set in the Beaconsfield midfield allowed Dylan over for his second of the day and certain killed off any lingering hopes that Newbury would be able to claw their way back into the match.
The first half had clearly been dominated by Beaconsfield both in possession and position. The points tally should have been higher but for a misplaced pass or occasional communication lapse. The second half was defined by a lack of discipline, a drop in focus at a critical juncture and touch of naivety. The referee probably did not have his finest game but good players find a way to manage erratic calls by adapting their game. This game was definitely one of those learning experiences. You don’t have to like every decision but you do have to keep playing and find a way to win.
The penalty count against Beaconsfield in the second half was at least three times higher than the first. Constant interruptions to play slowed the score board down considerably and Beaconsfield’s inability to maintain momentum through indiscipline allowed Newbury back into the game. Situations like this in a match will reveal a team’s resolve; this Colts team do not break and they do not sit back.
As the game ground it way toward the final 15 minutes, Newbury looked to reassert field position and another barrage of attacking ‘Plan A’. Double shots reigned in from the Beaconsfield defensive line, none would pass though it. A major contributor to the defensive dominance was again seen in the lineout, particular credit to Zac H and his lifting crew – disrupting and disheartening the majority of Newbury’s throw-ins. At this late stage Newbury had decided a kicking strategy was the way to go but Beaconsfield’s back three dealt with this new threat with maturity and precision and the final try of the match was poached by Zac H who out paced the Newbury winger to snatch the score.
All credit to Newbury who continued to attack until the very end and in a final frantic 5 minutes tried to advance out wide on consecutive occasions. Full impact 1 on 1 tackles by Henry A and Jani N were typical of the team’s response to pressure. Intelligent game management closed out the game and we move on to the next fixture.
A final thanks to Senan Conway for leading the team today. Tough conditions and some interesting decisions but dealt with magnificently.
The match today provided some useful lessons for this impressive but still young collection of players. ‘Easy on paper’ opposition still need to be beaten. The ability to draw on well drilled patterns and structures when the game is not going to plan is only possible because of the hard work they put in through out the season. Definitely not our finest all round performance but a huge amount to be proud of. Our defence was as good as it has been all season with some particularly memorable offensive hits.
Backs men of match Dylan and Charlie. Forwards man of the match Kingsley. Congratulations gentlemen – well deserved.
Last but not least a big thank you to all our travelling support (not least Seb Gould), making the trip out to a cold and wet Newbury makes a big difference.