Beccs 30 v 5 Langley Park Boys School

Bare with me ….. first and foremost.

Thank You
It’s only when one actually write’s down the people involved that enable and facilitate games to happen, that one fully appreciates the commitment and club support network required to do so.
Guest-timate last night, cannot be far off 120 people.

Dave Sia, club coach for kindly suggesting that we utilise the floodlights with rapidly reducing light, for the entire second half. Particularly given the senior squad had a key training session in advance of their 1st XV opening league fixture and local derby against Bromley this Saturday. All supporters most welcome to that, kick off 3:00pm and curry lunch at the club beforehand.
John and Lee for arriving early, and helping set up the pitch, and everyone efficiently helping transfer flags and cones at half time to the floodlights, and clearing away afterwards.
Andy filming the entire game, which was great fun reviewing in the clubhouse afterwards.
Alistair kindly and very fairly refereeing. Robbie for the usual astute counsel.
Tania opening and running the bar, and Mrs K for catering the well-received hot dogs afterwards.
The clubhouse team for the welcoming clean changing rooms in advance, not to mention the refurbishment works over the summer.
The large volume of support, not just the players’ families, including other Beccs age group club coaches, kids, stalwarts, senior coach and players, further added to the occasion.

Again, only when seeing the numbers of people on the side-lines from the filming footage, does one realise the supporter numbers were fantastic, and I would suggest approaching the 80s. All added to the experience and sense of occasion for the boys, and the ensuing buzz of a performance on the pitch. It maybe a long list, but, every single facet is required, fact!

Match Report
Wowsers ……. what a start …... Opening fixture, contested 6 man scrums, double size pitch now practically full size @ 90m x 60m with 13 players & increased playing time to 25 mins each half, added spice of fixture against Langley Park School for Boys (LPSB) B/C team, where 7 Beccs attend, and 2 coaches plus 2 dads also being LPSB alumni. Provided for one of the most comprehensive and collective team performances by our squad, against a very strong and organised LPSB side.

Literally couldn’t be prouder. Pre-game goals were (1) Enjoy yourself, (2) Positive words, encouragement & communication, (3) Work rate and backing one another up (4) Structure.
The reason all the off-loads worked, and kept the flow of the game going, were simply that Beccs were awake from minute one, played with intensity, pace, energy and had numbers in support everywhere, all game long, coupled with some fair and excellent referring by Al McGill allowing the game to flow ! obv…..

From minute one, all the Beccs squad are singled out (also below) for their commitment, collective efforts, determination in defence, doubling up in the tackle against some very strong runners, effectively clearing out rucks, work-rate, really strong running by everyone, presenting the ball well, upping the intensity, pace, unselfishly passing the ball at the right time, and making use of the space.

Make no mistake, the LPSB side are an organised, disciplined and very well structured team, with several very quick, imposing and strong runners. Beccs were in the zone and simply refused to leave.
Welcome introductions and debuts for Dylan and Fin. 5 different try scorers for the 6 trys also testament to the team ethic and attitude on the evening. Great team play, proud, proud, coaches and supporters.

Scoring sequence:
1-0 Fraser 10mins
2-0 Fraser 11 mins
3-0 Kingsley 20mins
4-0 Oliver B 25 mins
Half Time
5-0 George 35 mins
5-1 Langley 40mins
6-1 Ewan 45mins

Squad (20):
Oliver.B – what broken finger? Really strong ball carrying, great ball presentation and passing at the right time.
Cathal – consistently supporting team mates and link play.
Oliver.D – gliding runs and good passing.
George – what broken wrist ? strong ball carrying and link play, well deserved try the product of work-rate.
Kingsley – great pace, tactical kick at just the right time, throwing dummies and link play
Leo – “the tackle”, good organisation & link play.
Jake – excellent energy, ridiculously good off-load to set up Oliver.B’s try.
Fraser – “Rhino on the charge”, usual strong running, work-rate & support play.
Josh – energised 2nd half captain against school mates, strong running and tackling.
Ellis – great tackling, work-rate, and pace throughout.
Ollie – fab control, work-rate & link play throughout.
Ewan – super ruck clearing, tackling, link play and energy.
Quinn – controlled platform at hooker, work-rate & very well led as first half captain against school mates.
Louie – great running and support play.
Adam – super energy linking forwards and backs, control over the first half.
Lewis – fab mazy running and up front tackling above his weight.
Toby – super try saving tackle when for all money was a lost cause, strong running.
Christian – excellent energy & work-rate around the field, and getting stuck in.
Dylan – super debut, great running and positive comms.
Fin – brilliant debut, throwing himself into the breakdown and counter-rucking.