Bognor RFC vs Millbrook RFC

Bognor RFC vs Millbrook RFC
08/09/18

The highly anticipated first league game of the season saw Millbrook travel to Hampshire Avenue in what would be a blockbuster start for the seaside town.

Bognor got off to a flying start, debutant and St Mary’s university graduate Dan Robinson was the first too score points for the home side; the lanky full back finishing well in the corner after soft hands from centres David Sweeney and Sam Newcombe. 5-0.

BRFC continued to control the game, hard forward phases spearheaded by Chris Webb and Scott Barlow gave the greens a platform to work with. Unfortunately second row Bidwell gave away an early penalty to the dismay of the luncheon crowd.

When Milbrook did have the ball, Bognor were savage in defence. Lee Balchin playing hooker for the first time since the beginning of his career looked well at home in the loose, partnering up with returning cannonball Graham Broome; the pair dominated the collision area and scrum time.

The next score came from birthday boy Shane Stevens. Best mate and captain Josh Burgess carried hard through the center of the field and supplied Hornibrook with quick ball, the whippet shipping it out to Newcombe who bounced his opposite man and hit Shane wide. 10-0.

Sean Power was running the show with his partner Sweeney, the two conjuring up sorcery after brutally hard carrying from back row George Castleton and new addition Paul Briant, the machine 7 has come from Surrey and made an instant impact at the club.

Both teams had 10 minutes that no one wanted to watch, dropped balls and knock ons plagued the midfield and Millbrook capitalised on a Bognor mistake to pick up a loose ball and counter attack. 10-5.

Bognor re-established some momentum and the phases started to build again, replacement Casim Ali was brought on for Balchin and did well after months out of the game. Paddy Burnett wanted a taste of a meat pie and got his skates on, the rapid winger finishing under the posts. 17-5.

The game saw Barlow and Briant blast rucks to pieces frequently, Webb was as always gobbling up opposition with his footwork and fend. Power slotted a penalty from the left side to make the score 20-5 and it was halftime.

Ex-captain and life long servant Castleton was next to cross the white stuff, the 6 weaving in and out of a few defenders before crashing over. Power converted magically, 27-5.

The try of the game came after some pungent hands from the half backs and centre Sweeney, Hornibrook hit Power who used his dirty dancing to break the line and feed his hero Dave; the 12 then passed out wide to Newcombe who used his blistering pace and power from his new leg tattoo to score in front of an intoxicated Bognor contingency. 32-5.

Adam Knight and Will Cullen entered the fray, Adam was pinged for a big hit out wide that was perfectly legal. Cullen looked sharp even after a long spell away from first team rugby. The final score came once again from the human doodle pad Shane Stevens, the tall winger topping off his birthday with a brilliant score. 39-5.

All in all a great day for the luncheon crowd and the Bognor boys!

Burgess had this to say after his first league game as captain. “I’m happy with how the boys played today, it’s not easy facing a big rival early in the season. But we came out on top.”

Line up:

1. Christopher Webb
2. Lee Balchin
3. Graham Broome
4. Scott Barlow
5. Darren Bidwell
6. George Castleton
7. Paul Briant
8. Joshua Burgess
9. Jack Hornibrook
10. Sean Power
11. Shane Stevens
12. David Sweeney
13. Sam Newcombe
14. Paddy Burnett
15. Dan Robinson
16. Casim Ali
17. Will Cullen
18. Adam Knight

By Thomas James