Match Report: Lancers v Beccehamians

Match Report: Lancers v Old Beccenhamians

This match was a perfect opportunity to continue the development of numerous talent throughout the club and saw the debuts of no less than four players balanced by a number of older heads showing that Southwark were not taking Beccenhamians lightly.

Southwark came out of the blocks from the beginning ferociously bossing the break down and giving our talented backs the possession and quick ball to cut through defences. This quickly saw fruit with Dan Jones taking advantage of the staggered defence to cut through and put debutant Capitan Jack Bullen over the line. Conversion missed 5-0 to Lancers.

Despite this initial success and the early domination at the breakdown Southwark began to switch off, leading to a huge increase in stupid penalties allowing Beccenhamians to work their way towards Southwarks line and led to a period of backs to the wall defence that saw Tim taken off with concussion and would have resulted in a score had it not been for superb tackling of debutant Charles on the try line driving him back for a turnover and allowing Knottie to clear the line. However Southwarks indiscipline continued and Beccenhamians were finally able to make the territory count scoring in the corner but missing the conversion in terribly windy conditions.

Half Time 5 – 5.

Frustrated with their lack of intensity and persecution at the breakdown Southwark were keen to step up and play to the level shown in their league matches. However the indisapline continued and finaly saw the ref reaching for his pocket, sending Richard Fenton to cool off for ten minutes. This was the spark that finally ignited Southwarks play and saw them begin to play a more structured game with powerful driving fom props Yemi and Matty saw them finally camped in Beccenhamians line. The continued pressure built up and finally the huge work by Bertie paid off with a charge down off the back of the scrum leading to a score under the posts for Aron. 5 – 12 in Southwarks favour. Sadly this sustained pressure saw Aron having to leave the field after a crunching tackle with Jack Bullen moving into the unfamiliar position of inside centre.

Southwarks fitness was beginning to show and with Richard Fenton back on and the introduction of impressive scrum half Jake. Lancers began to break away with another bursting run from ever reliable fullback Dan Jones scoring under the posts. Score 5 – 17. Almost immediately saw another score with Knottie really showing his turn of speed down the blindside from near his line leaving the opposition winger and fullback in his wake, 5 – 22.

As the game began to break up in the final ten minutes a wonderful run from David April back in his preferred posion on the wing saw him pop the ball to Charles on the try line to score under the posts, conversion kicked 5 – 29. The final minutes of the game was marred by a kick to the back of the head from the opposition hooker on Bertie, sadly missed by the ref and in the confusion saw southwark loose focus allowing Beccenhamians the final word with a try in the corner ending the Match 10 – 29 to Southwark Lancers.

Next round sees Southwark Lancers take on Shooters Hill who will prove a tough opposition looking to get revenge from last season’s defeat.

BY JACK BULLEN