This game although down as a Friendly fixture, was played by both sides at full pace, as if it were a cup match.
Playing on a fairly muddy first team pitch at Balmoral Avenue, it started fairly evenly with both teams putting in some crunching tackles and showing lots of commitment.
After 12 minutes a series of defensive scrums in Becc's half, including one that was reset 3 times, led to Beckenham's first converted try: 7 - 0
9 minutes later, Beccs responded with a solid run from Eoin down the left wing to score an equalising try, which Ben duly converted. 7 - 7
On 27 minutes, Beckenham scored their 2nd try but missed the conversion. 12 - 7
A minute later, from the restart Beckenham broke down the right wing, for what appeared a certain try but a try saving tackle from St John, stopped them in their tracks.
In the last play of the first half Beckenham scored their 3rd converted try to make it 19 - 7
SECOND HALF:
In the 2nd half, Beckenham started the more strongly scoring their 4th unconverted try on 39 minutes 24 - 7, followed by a breakaway converted try 3 minutes later to make it 31 - 7
On 45 minutes one of the Beckenham forwards was yellow carded whilst in an offside position and the original penalty was moved back another 10 metres.
On 47 minutes Beckenham's very useful centre scored their 6th try to make the score 36 - 7
On 54 minutes after sustained pressure from Beccs and several phases involving most of our team, Jimmy went over to score Becc's 2nd try and the final try of the game, with the score finishing 36 - 12 to the home team.

Overall this was a tough game against one of our fiercest rivals, who were well drilled and who took advantage of our lack of match practice or training sessions. Although we failed to follow the tactics agreed before the match, everybody kept playing throughout with the sort of commitment we have come to expect, all our subs were used.
In the end, the scoreline probably flattered the home team but even as it finished we showed progress over where we were as a squad last year.