Good to be Back

Beccehamians RFC under 14s V Gravesend RFC under 14s 12th October 2014
Sunday 15th December 2013…….
Seems a long time ago doesn’t it?
That was the last time this squad ran out at Sparrows Den; A friendly against Edenbridge. The B squad did play a game against Beckenham in mid-January but nothing at home since.
This fixture was our real homecoming. We had been all around the borough, county and country playing like nomads; knowing and believing that one day we would return to the turf of our youth.
Still no pomp; no ceremony, just a bright, not so warm sunny Sunday morning with a soft damp pitch 3 (or is it now 2). The grass was a bit long and shaggy but after last weeks manicured lawns (The Warren) anywhere was going to feel a bit tatty. None the less it was home, and it was good to be back.
Gravesend are a big and fast team and they had brought a squad of nearly 20 players to match against our slightly depleted squad of 28ish. 25 minutes each way with rolling subs was to be the order of the day.
A flying start by Beccs, no repercussions from last week’s defeat, pressure and strong rucking from our forwards quickly bringing in our backs and the ever (even more so recently) willing Ellis into the fray. A funny looking hitch kick and he was gone; catching Gravesend out with his pace as he scored in the corner. A superb long range conversion from Miles saw us 7 points up within fewer minutes.
Gravesend responded strongly, counter rucking us off of secure ball but then they lost their way, runners became isolated and Beccs responded by pinning them back into their 22. Beccs rearranged backs, with James moving inside and Ben D a natural outside centre, were looking very dangerous and of course Henry was back to make a nuisance of himself in the loose. When Gravesend did break Dan showed his speed and made an important tackle on their fast 10; turnover ball, quick hands and James was in the corner and around to under the posts. Easy conversion for Miles, 14-0 in 15 mins.
That second score is always important in a game like this. Beccs were on top but not controlling the game. Gravesend were not out of it by any means but they were unsure how to break out of the pattern that was giving Beccs so much possession. With the second try, Beccs stopped trying so hard and as a consequence everything got slightly smoother, not easier, but many of the decisions made became the right ones. For Gravesend the opposite applied; trying harder with no reward, being frustrated by hard hands and rushed decisions, which only fed the fear that they may not be competitive.
Against this backdrop a relaxed Beccs pinned Gravesend back in their own 22 and tried to plot a way around the gritty backs to the wall defence. One for the coaches and text books. So many times the inspired line break lacks support; teammates stop, assuming that their player will succeed on his own. Not Tiga… Ellis returning a kicked clearance weaved his way to just short of the line where despite stepping sharply off his right foot he was brought to a crunching halt. There was the prowling Tiga right on his shoulder only a quick off load away from dropping over the line.
19 -0 down and Gravesend possibly relaxed a little and launched a powerful surging attack on the Beccs line. A last gasp tackle by Ben D rebuffed them and as Miles cleared the lines it seemed that Jed was going to be away for our fourth try until a knock on started a flurry of messy scrums and rucks. At the whistle, the scoreboard showed Beccs comfortably ahead but as the half ended Gravesend appeared to be rallying and were not buried yet.
That rushed, decision making returned to haunt Gravesend when they kicked off straight to Ellis who ran through a static unprepared defence to score.
From that point there was parity. Gravesend raised their game, seemingly determined not to go down to an embarrassing score line and Beccs continued to empty the bench of all their players which was slightly unsettling especially defensively. Gravesend sensed blood and defended and attacked with a new found vigour. Zac took a big bumped tackle in midfield and Gravesend broke forward to bludgeon their way to the try line. 24 - 5
This time “The Ellis Return” was stopped by the referee; not with his whistle but by a clear obstruction (accidental of course) but recycled ball, quick hands and Miles went over after selling one of his outrageous trademark dummies (that one where he sells you something you never wanted with a money returned insurance backed no deposit guarantee) 29 - 5.
Beccs camped in the Gravesend 22 again saw a cameo appearance from Strictly Kunle and there was a rumour that Dan made a strong run then “passed” but the game was slowly becoming a forwards battle with more attrition in the middle of the field.
An unfortunate ending as the Gravesend 10 (Tye Beasly) was tackled in the middle of the pitch; he fell awkwardly and the worst was feared. The referee had no option but to end the game as an ambulance was called. Fortunatly it turned out that Tye had not broken his leg and in fact recovered in time to run in 3 tries against TWs the following weekend!

So for Beccs, a good return to winning ways and to our beloved Den.