Remembrance Day Woes

NB travelled to Broad Plain on a dull Remembrance Day Sunday to face a strong Broad Plain team, without Luke, Joe and Olly Coombes, but with Alfie back at out-half.
BP kicked off to start the match straight into the arms of Mike who drove forward on the counter. Unfortunately the NB pack was slow to support and the ball was turned over to BP; this was to be a recurring theme throughout the match. Play centred around midfield until BP moved the ball quickly to the right wing, making inroads deep into NB half. Benfitting from a knock-on missed by the match official, BP’s swift offloading provided them with an opening for the first try after 4 mins; the try was duly converted to leave the score 7-0 to BP.
BP were now starting to dominate and a loose clearance kick, by an under pressure Alfie, was gathered by BP who played the ball quickly through their hands to score a well worked try which was again converted, 7 minutes in.
NB were struggling to get out of their own half and paid the penalty for slowness at the breakdown on 11 minutes, when the BP right winger collected the ball and charged down the touchline, brushing tackles aside, to score BP’s third try which was again converted.
The half-time whistle blew shortly afterwards with the score 21-0 to BP, leaving coach Andy to have some strong words with the team.
Alfie restarted the second half and Andy’s words seemed to have an effect as NB were now much more competitive. NB were exerting some pressure in the BP half and looked like getting on the scoreboard only for a great breakaway by BP to earn them their fourth try, again converted.
All credit to the NB lads, who didn’t let their heads drop and continued to plug away. However continued lack of concentration at rucks gifted too much possession to BP, whose quick handling backs gained ground at every opportunity. Nonetheless, NB were unlucky not to score when a great run by Panashe, who was arguably NB’s best player on the day on tackle count alone, was halted and driven into touch just short of the line. BP won the resulting lineout, quickly feeding their impressive backs, who passed the ball slickly through their hands to score another outstanding try, this time against the run of play, 10 minutes into the second half. Score BP 35 – 0 NB.
NB continued to fight and got their reward when a pass by James, almost intercepted, was collected by George who slalomed his way through the defence to score NB’s first score which Dead-Eye Alfie converted with ease, just on the stroke of (second) half-time. Score a now more respectable 35-7 to BP.
BP kicked off the third ‘half’ to a re-energised NB, their confidence boosted by their score. NB started to pile on the pressure; Panashe made another great dart for the line, but solid BP defence kept him out. NB were now dominating territory, but all their valiant efforts were expertly repelled by the larger BP team and thus the match ended at BP 35 – 7 NB.
This is a very good, sporting BP team who displayed excellent offloading skills in the tackle with great support running, meaning that they were able to capitalise on the slimmest of opportunities. They were also bigger, thus giving them an advantage at line outs and scrums and also at the breakdown where they were able to turn over ball at will. Nonetheless, our guys fought hard with Olly H, Mike and Aiden showing well in the forwards; in the backs, Panashe tackled like a demon and was always looking to be involved as was Alfie, James, George and newcomers Ben and Elliot.