Bonus point win for 1st XV

In the first home game of the season Footscray RUFC 1st XV secured all 5 point against a tough Bexley RFC side.

The game can be summarised as a good result after an average performance. With in-consistency of selection being the only consistency in selection, the start of the 2017/18 season has been a struggle and it is fair to say that this has transferred to the pitch.

Footscray kicked off and in the first few minutes of the game played their best rugby, eight phases lead to Pete Cousins breaking free and converting a 2 on 1 chance to pop Richard Birch in at the corner.

Then came the worst part of our game, a succession of penalties over a 20 minute period mainly for tackle infringements first gave Bexley a penalty and then position to kick into the corner and drive use over the line the leaving Cray trailing 5-8. Bexley then camped in our half for 10 minutes but couldn’t turn the pressure into points.

‘Cray broke free and a kick chase lead to a great foot race between the fastest player on the Bexley side and our very own Dave Worden. Following another skilful kick ahead Dave dotted down to take the lead back. This moment of individual brilliance turned into team infringements, leading to giving away more penalties and we were lucky not to concede again.

The pack started to dominate the set piece and from a line out drove Bexley over for a Chris Jones score to take the pressure off. Just before half time the bonus point was earned when the ball went wide and Dave Gerrard crashed into the line from full back beating 2 defenders and over the whitewash.

The second half started with the forwards building their set piece dominance, in particularly Neil Kemp and Kelvin Munroe scrummaging low and hard. Two clean takes against the head lead to two tries, one of which was Dave Worden’s hat trick.

Bexley fought hard all day and the score line slightly flatters Cray, they came back with a late charge and scored the final try of the day leaving a score line of 34-13.

A good start to the season with two wins from 2 with 2 bonus points, but the fluidity of play that we have enjoyed in the past wasn’t there. There is plenty to work on at training but well done.

DoD - Wade Beeby
MoM - Chris Jones, for his endless work around the park.

Hurrah the club