1st XV
Matches
Sat 12 Mar 2022  ·  Hampshire Premier
Fordingbridge
3
53
Bognor RFC
1st XV
BOGNOR 53  FORDINGBRIDGE 3

BOGNOR 53 FORDINGBRIDGE 3

Doug Millen29 Mar 2022 - 11:14
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The huge disparity between the top and bottom halves of this league was once again laid bare by this one-sided, scrappy contest

Hampshire Premier

BOGNOR 53 FORDINGBRIDGE 3

The huge disparity between the top and bottom halves of this league was once again laid bare by this one-sided, scrappy contest where, for the second consecutive week, Bognor scored more than a half-century of points. Just four or five years ago Fordingbridge were a competitive outfit, well-coached and with a talented back line good enough to see them finish consistently near the top of the table. Sadly for them their playing resources have been depleted to an extent whereby they deserve great credit for even managing to send a team on the long journey to Bognor.

From as early as the twelfth minute when skipper Josh Burgess strolled over from a well-worked lineout move the result was never beyond doubt. The consequence of this was that the home team lacked the intensity and accuracy that were in evidence against Chichester two weeks earlier, their final haul of nine tries being well short of what they should have achieved with better handling and decision-making.

Scores from Woody Gilbert-Jones, Jamie Foote and a second, bonus-point try from Burgess gave Bognor a 22-3 lead at half time. The visitors managed just a solitary penalty, awarded after Shane Stevens was yellow-carded for a dubious high tackle.

The one-sided onslaught continued into the second half, Connor Herrington’s long pass allowing speedster Tyrone Makasi to score his twentieth try of the season.

Bognor’s high error-count and poor discipline, together with the referee’s tendency to blow up at every possible opportunity, combined to make the final half-hour frustrating for players and spectators alike. Chris Hay finished powerfully after a quick tap penalty by Jack Hornibrook and then Herrington turned on the gas to beat two players before chipping ahead perfectly for Paddy Burnett to touch down.

Ten minutes from the end Burgess continued his rich vein of form by ripping through a demoralised defence to achieve his hat-trick. His old mate, Shane Stevens, ended the visitors’ uncomfortable afternoon by scoring the final try.

After the match, popular second-team player Jason Chitty was awarded an engraved tankard for deservedly winning the accolade of Most Consistent Player of the Year, prior to his departure to join the Navy.

Bognor’s last home game will be against bottom side Locksheath Pumas on 26th March when they will seek to confirm their third place in Hampshire Premier. They will end their season at old rivals Sandown & Shanklin on 9th April where they are sure to face a hard battle. Karl Flinn and his coaching team can then do no more than await the outcome of the RFU league restructuring review which will determine where Bognor play next season.

Team:
Hay, Gilbert-Jones, Burnett, Herrington, Makasi, Lysaght, Hornibrook, Webb, Ubsdell, Weller, Stevens, Orchard, Foote, Jays, Burgess.
Replacements:
Voigt, Bailey, Newton-Young

Match details

Match date

Sat 12 Mar 2022

Kickoff

14:30

Competition

Hampshire Premier

League position

3
Bognor
11
Fordingbridge
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Seniors GOLD Sponsor - HeatLoad
Senior 1st & 2nd XV, Mini & Youth Sponsor - Rainbows
Senior 1st & 2nd XV Shirt & Shorts Sponsor - Signature Home Improvements
Sponsor - Sargents Carpets
Team Sponsor  - Academy Rugby Foundation
Seating Sponsor - Strictly Tables & Chairs
Club Sponsor - Mays - The Village Agent