Millbrook RFC vs Bognor RFC

Saturday 6th March By Thomas James

Millbrook RFC vs Bognor RFC
Saturday 6th March
By Thomas James

Bognor started quickly in what was the last game of the season for 2018/2019 against a team they have never beaten away from home.

Billy Toone began proceedings with a quick tap penalty after some strong Bognor scrummaging, the experienced scrum half fed Chris Webb who smashed over the white wash. 0-7, Sweeney kicked.

Millbrook were enjoying the majority of the territory due to the high winds Bognor were fighting against in the first half, despite this the away side defended brutally with some huge hits coming in midfield from Tom James, George Castleton and Adam Knight.

The whole Bognor squad looked fired up and wanted the win so bad. Captain Josh Burgess was carrying very hard as usual and Darren Bidwell was supporting the big man throughout, the young back row/second row utility going over after 6 excellent phases out wide. 0-12.

Dave Sweeney in his last game for Bognor was conjuring up sorcery as always, the fly half making his opposite number look silly with some slick hands and lovely running play.

Bognor then went to sleep for 5 minutes and Millbrook took full advantage, after some great defence from James Barlow and Venci Angelov the Millbrook 5 broke the line and fed his winger who dotted down. 5-12.

Nathan Archer and Sam Newcombe paired up in the centres once again were enjoying their time in the wind, the two good friends carried with intent and looked to get the ball wide when possible.

Next up was another impressive try from star of the show Webb, Sweeney broke the line and popped to the big man who broke 5 tackles to slide under the posts. Immense from the accountant, 5-19.

Millbrook were ill disciplined at the start of the second half and made a few mistakes in front of the posts, Sweeney took full advantage and shot to make it. 5-22.

Bognor then lost captain Burgess to a nasty looking knee injury, we wish the skipper all the best in coming back from injury and making the most of his pre season time off. George Hutchinson was introduced and was thrown in the deep end with a couple of tough scrums and savage defensive phases.

Toone was still controlling the game brilliantly with his kicking and passing game, bizarrely however after a Sweeney kick the home side’s number 11 caught the high ball and ran straight through the whole Bognor side. 12-22.

The Bognor back 3 didn’t have much too do in attack due to the high wings and up the jumper style of play from the forwards but they stepped up incredibly hard in defence and made no errors in that department. Shane Stevens now captaining the side making a particularly brave hit on the Bognor 10m to prevent a certain try. Dan Robinson and Paddy Burnett communicated like they’d played together for years and made all of Millbrook’s territory kicking look useless due to awesome counter running.

A Bognor catch and drive would lead to the final score of the game after Millbrook collapsed the maul 2m out. Powerful work from substitute Gordon Bailey and line out jumper Adam Knight. 12-29.

A whirlwind of a day for Bognor and a win well deserved, thank you to everyone that has come to support this season and we will see you next season at Hampshire Avenue.

Team Line-Up

1. Chris Webb
2. Venci Angelov
3. Tom James
4. James Barlow
5. Darren Bidwell
6. George Castleton
7. Adam Knight
8. Joshua Burgess
9. Billy Toone
10. Dave Sweeney
11. Shane Stevens
12. Nathan Archer
13. Sam Newcombe
14. Paddy Burnett
15. Dan Robinson
16. George Hutchinson
17. Gordon Bailey
18. Will Cullen