Whitstable Vets 29 v 8 Beccs Vets (Sunday 24 Feb )

Match Report Alert!

Sunday 24th February 2019 – Beccehamians Vets vs Whitstable Vets

On a very warm, Sunday afternoon the Vets faithful made the journey East along the M2. Thankfully the signposts for Whitstable appeared as the prospect of going to either Margate or the Isle of Sheppey loomed ever closer.

Arriving early, we journeyed down to the sea front to enjoy the best of the Whitstable offerings. We visited the Oyster Fishery, pubs serving the local Pale Ale and a very busy Fish & Chip shop but settled on an authentic Fajita Wrap from Costa Coffee.

Once the Flat White was finished, we made our way to Whitstable RFC. It quickly became apparently that I had completely misread the kick off time….so have had to be creative with the first 30 minutes of the game (hence why I fluffed it up with my trip to the beach).

Reliable sources informed me that Jim Bryan(t) made numerous line breaks and was supported on the wing by Hayler who was unlucky not to score in the corner. Unsurprisingly for all those reading, the reliable sources were Jim and Hayler themselves, both of who were already injured and now supporting an Ice Pack and Pint of Cider retrospectively.

However, Jim had converted a penalty and it was 3-0 to Beccs.

The first play of action I managed to capture (now 30 minutes in) was Humpty, providing inspiration for all props come centres, as he crashed through the heart of the Whits’ defence only to be stopped 5 metres short. Rob “the pest” Curl was up to his usual tricks, disrupting play and making a dart for the line.

A brilliant turnover by Whits’ number 8, followed by some strong running allows Whitstable to take a defensive breather.

The boys in blue continue to go through the phases but there is a knock on with the whitewash in view. It quickly became apparently why Hayler had developed an “injury” – the Whits’ had a very powerful scrum and one that proved difficult to manage throughout the 90 minutes. Borgy, playing 8 (in case you were unsure) and Mike (Beccs 9) combined and cleared their own line.

Unfortunately, it lands in the arms of Whits’ 12. Another Prop come Centre (unlike any I have seen in this year’s 6 nations), finds some pace and goes through the Beccs defence for the first try of the game (to my knowledge). As to be expected with the Vets, he then comes straight off for a well-deserved break.

7 – 3 to Whitstable (Converted by 13)

From the Kick Off, Beccs manage to regain possession. After building both possession and pressure, the cries of “Humpty” are heard from the away support as the barrelled belly centre is passed the ball 10 metres out. He crashes over the whitewash creating a rather large dent in the Whitstable turf.

With the ground still shaking, the conversion is missed.

7-8

The game was very evenly matched, with solid running from Rob Curl, Jim and Bill matched with some fierce tackling from the boys in Blue. Whitstable return the favour and after multiple “pick and go’s” the Becc’s defensive conceive a penalty in front of the posts.

Whitstable 10 – 8 Beccehamians, Half time

The break in play allowed us to admire the excellent weather but also how superbly equipped Whitstable were for the ageing Vets. There was a beautiful balcony, a stair lift for Bill & Mike Hamm as well as the local medical centre sharing the clubs carpark – Perfect for accident prone Bettsy.

The Whits’ get the game underway, the ball lands in the arms of everyone’s favourite French winger, Lloyd Loudy, unsurprisingly he chooses to utilise the tried and tested boot. A game of “kick tennis” followed (The vets clearly believing it was too hot to run) but unfortunately Mike Hamm’s kick landed in the arms of Whits’ 8, a combination of strong running and missed tackles forced Becc’s over their own line conceding a 5-metre scrum.

Despite stopping the initial threat, Beccs’ concede the try under the posts.

The chip and “chase” proved too much for Hammy’s hamstring and off he comes with Simon into the centres.

17 - 8

From the resulting Kick off, the ball goes straight into touch but Beccs can regather from the lineout.

Beccehamians Vets latest poster boy, Rob Bardell, combines with Rob “the pest” Curl, Bill the legs and A&E’s favourite Bettsy who prove there is good rugby to be watched as they combine with multiple off loads creating valuable yardage.

There was an unfortunate slip for Bardell who crashed into a Whitsable knee forcing him off the pitch. Simon Dawes joins the field to complete the hattrick of “Bald Simons” with Gardener and Powell already in play.

The ball is once again cleared to Lloydy. Astonishingly, he doesn’t kick! Oo la la! But the French man produces le magic, stepping the oncoming defence. He is tackled but re-joins the attack combining le flare with a sneaky le switch pass, that nearly leads to le try but he is run out of play and into touch. Magnifique from the flying French man!

Bettsy gets crunched (Hilarious!).

The boys in Maroon are now applying consistent pressure to the Whitstable line and awarded 3 penalties in quick succession – Rob Curl lines up for the crash ball but is stopped just short, Humpty was lurking and with his extra belly this may have been the better option?

Whitstable conjure up a brilliant turnover and clear their lines – a combination of bald Simon’s try to deal with an awkwardly bouncing ball but are only able to usher it into touch. The Whits’ chase is brilliant, quick thinking from the boys in blue means the quick lineout is on. An easy finish in to the corner. A real sucker punch considering the solid 15 minutes of pressure spent on the Whitstable line.

22 - 8

With the game back under way, the ball is recycled well and kicked through. With Rory chasing back, there is a terrible bounce and back into blue arms and over for their 4th try of the game.

27 - 8

The wind has now well and truly been beaten out of the Beccehamian sails. Bettsy is doing his best to rally the troops and the Sweeting brothers are doing their usual “love making” with the locals.

Beccs 10 (Matt) has a moment of brilliance with a good “chip and chase” but is unable to pick out a supporting runner and it comes to nothing.

That’s largely how it ended, Whitstable Vets 27 – Beccehamians Vets 8. A good game played in brilliant supporter’s weather.

I think even the home team would agree that the score line was somewhat flattering, Beccs had excellent spells of possession with some good play but are beaten by a team with players who knew how to finish an opportunity.

The Beccs vets winning streak is over but what a brilliant run it was! The first in a long, long time.

Whitstable number 8 was their best player (and by far the best number 8 on the pitch) but the Beccs Man Of The Match goes to the flying French man – Lloyd Loudy. Good solid performance topping of a good weekend all round for French rugby.

Dick Of The Day goes to loyal supporter Charlie Suggars for an extremely questionable blue trackie, beige t-shirt, black trainers combination.

Until next time,
Your resident Vets match reporter,
Louis