BROMLEY BATTER VIGO

The sun shone on an immaculate pitch. The healthy crowd turned up, in shorts and sun dresses – well, the memsahibs side did, that is. Shirt sleeves the order of the day for the gents. Bromley turned up in a Fun Bus. But unfortunately Vigo didn’t. Turn up, that is. Not the Vigo who had performed so well in pre-season against Maidstone and Sevenoaks. ‘’We didn’t turn up, didn’t perform. This was a one-off performance and we will put it right’’ said coach John Whitehead afterwards, anger still simmering below the surface, a few hours after the game.
It was a typical start to the season, even if the weather may not have been. Vigo had several players away still on holiday, and some that looked as if they were, but Bromley were quickly into their stride, a young side with a firecracker in George Scott at 9. Vigo were throwing away plenty of penalties as they struggled to get into a rhythm. Jonathan Griffiths benefitted, opening his account with a brace of well struck penalties. Tony Whitehead cut the arrears with a fine penalty kick of his own, but Griffiths replied with another pair to edge Bromley into an ominous lead after twenty minutes.
With Harry Wilson forced off with a neck injury early on, Will Castle coming on, Vigo continued to labour. Odd flashes of cohesive play were all too often nullified by a penalty, or a poor pass. Bromley were fast out of the traps trying to prevent Vigo from spreading the ball wide, their back row of Massingham, Wilson and Hughton working diligently at the break down, slowing Vigo’s supply. Tony Whitehead, in his first game as skipper, tried in vain to spark his side, the odd break here, smashing into the tackle there, clearing his lines with booming kicks, whilst young number 8, Ben Moorhouse impressed. But to no avail. Bromley swarmed forward. Scott and Griffiths continued to sparkle, Stephen Pillow ever dangerous.
Slowly but surely, Vigo began to get a toehold in the game, but again the light at the end of the tunnel turned out to be the headlights of the onrushing train. Again it was Scott who scampered through. Vigo funnelled back and snuffed out the initial danger, but at the expense of a disorganised defence system, which Ben Smith exploited to score under the posts, Griffiths easily converting. Immediately the whistle blew for the break, and Vigo rushed to the changing rooms, in trepidation of a roasting. But the coach knew that there was no need for a full paint stripping. The players knew they hadn’t performed. Why underline it?
They needed to put things right in the second half but it was Bromley who drew first blood. An attempted clearance kick almost from the restart found the impressively hirsute prop Ben Smith who made serious inroads into Vigo’s defence. Ball recycled swiftly, moved quickly wide and George Pope practically jogged over. Griffiths added the extras with a superb kick and Bromley were away. They continued to attack and although initially Vigo defended strongly, they conceded a soft try. Scott chipped through and the ball bounced wickedly away from Vigo’s cover but straight into the arms of a grateful Mike Smith who ambled over, Griffiths conversion a formality.
Liam Evans came on to add some typical urgency in the back row, whilst Ollie McSweeney-Atkins made a welcome appearance after a long injury lay off, as John Whitehead rang the changes. Ollie was soon off again as an audition for Strictly on a prone body didn’t meet with the judge’s approval, the judge being the youthful referee, Mr Tyson. Not exactly a ‘Seven’ but a ‘Ten from Len’ – ten minutes in the cooler that is.
Actually this helped to galvanise Vigo, strangely, as Bromley tried to take advantage of the numbers. Vigo fought hard, Chris Johnson and Struan Kerr, both on debut, showed glimpses of things to come. George Rawlings and Liam Wiltshire were also putting themselves about and Vigo began to move forward with purpose and intent. Bromley now began to throw away penalties with abandon. Tony Whitehead again attacked and only great Bromley defence stopped Kerr from scoring, hauled down after some strong running. But Vigo were beginning to put together some decent moves. Bromley were forced back, the referee issuing a final warning after half a dozen penalties in the space of a few minutes. Bromley weathered the storm, released the growing pressure. A penalty conceded by the Villagers was chipped into touch, Bromley took the line-out and as Vigo gathered to withstand the usual Bromley tactic of catch and drive, the ball was handed to Mike Smith who simply ran round the front of the line out through a perplexed defence to score the softest of tries. Griffiths, who had hardly put a foot wrong all match, added the conversion. Game over.
Points: Vigo: Pens: T.Whitehead (1) . Bromley : Tries: B.Smith (40’), Pope ( 42’) , M.Smith (51’, 77’). Cons: Griffiths (4). Pens: Griffiths (4).
Man of the Match. Bromley full back – George Hawkins. Vigo’s MVP – Ben Moorhouse.

Matthew Witcomb (Bromley coach) Good overall performance, a good start to our season. We are building on our pre-season and will continue to move forward.

Mog’s view. A bad day at the office for the lads.They were impressive pre-season so this came as a surprise. I know they have more to give. They know and John knows. The next game away to Dunstonians will be different.

Vigo team: C.Johnson; S.Kerr, E.Stickings, J.Clemmence, G.Harrison; T.Whitehead (capt.), C.Gibson (rep: O.McSweeney-Atkins); W.James, H.Wilson (rep: W.Castle), G.Rawlings; L.Wiltshire, J.French; R.carleton (rep: L.Evans), D.Mickleburgh; B.Moorhouse.
Referee: O.Tyson (SE Fed).