Bognor RFC vs Sandown & Shanklin RFC

By Thomas James

Bognor RFC vs Sandown & Shanklin RFC
By Thomas James

A 2nd place battle was on the menu for anyone visiting Hampshire Avenue and the supporters were not disappointed.

Bognor started off excellently in defence, strong work from George Castleton and James Barlow saw SS gain next to no forward momentum.

Nathan Archer back in the setup turned the ball over excellently with a huge hit in the midfield, Dave Sweeney capitalised on the spilled ball and kicked through; chasing his own kick the number 10 piled over the white line amongst a number of bodies. 7-0. Great start.

Ford Ranger Chris Webb started to make inroads in the SS back line, carry after carry meant that Billy Toone could really start using his vast skill set and experience to control the game after a solid foundation was set.

The backs were running hard and in typical fashion, Dan Robinson and Sam Newcombe were stepping their way through tackles and looking more and more dangerous throughout.

The forwards were dominating the ruck area but not so much the scrum, Tom Orchard working hard with Adam Groome to secure quick ball for Billy and Dave to work with.

Again Sweeney broke the line majestically, he fed peri-peri house worker Archer who gave the ball back to MOTM Sweeney. 14-0.

The second half started with ill discipline from the home side, a few penalties here and there saw SS really take the game by the scruff of the neck and score a penalty in front of the posts. 14-3.

Darren Bidwell was carrying monstrously alongside captain Josh Burgess, the two linking up in what could be a key partnership over the next 5-10 years at Bognor. However, Sandown caught a lucky break and the back row for the away side steaming down the right wing created a try out of nothing and now it was squeaky bum time for Bognor. 10-14.

George Hutchinson was introduced for Tom James and made an instant impact in the loose but struggled against a strong away scrum. Paddy Burnett as always ran with intent and incredible speed, however was isolated in the final third; probably because no one can keep up with him!!

Jeremy Newton-Young was making hit after hit and quite frankly kept the home side in the game during the final 15 minutes, the youngster coming on for our very own Daddy Day care expert Jack Hornibrook who has just welcomed the next generation of Bognor talent into this world, congratulations Haystacks and good luck !

SS then had the opportunity to score another penalty after an offside infringement from Bognor, Adam Knight was an absolute dog after coming on for Orchard but got caught out this time. 14-13.

The home side saw the game out with some terrific last ditch tackles and great game management in the forwards. What a win for the Bognor side looking to gain promotion and a stalwart performance from Dave Sweeney MOTM.

Team Line-Up

1. Chris Webb
2. Adam Groome
3. Tom James
4. Tom Orchard
5. James Barlow
6. George Castleton
7. Darren Bidwell
8. Joshua Burgess
9. Billy Toone
10. Dave Sweeney
11. Paddy Burnett
12. Nathan Archer
13. Sam Newcombe
14. Jack Hornibrook
15. Dan Robinson
16. Adam Knight
17. Jeremy Newton-Young
18. George Hutchinson