Winter rugby has well and truly arrived here at Balmoral Avenue as the Beckenham entertained second in the table Cobham in another vital league fixture for both sides.

Playing up the slope and against the wind and rain, Beckenham were soon on the back foot as Cobham relentlessly drove forward. The pressure soon told as the visitors broke through to score a converted try. With Cobham taking advantage of the conditions they were quickly back in the visitors half and scored another well worked try with backs and forwards taking the ball forward. Two converted tries within the first 15 minutes for the second week running left the home side with it all to do.

Beckenham fought their way back into the game and started to play some clever rugby but their forays into the opponents half went unrewarded. A breakaway by Alex Morill caught the Cobham defence napping and the conversion took them back into the game. Now playing their best rugby of the match, Beckenham took the game to Cobham but periods of pressure deep in their opponents half did not yield any scores. The home crowd were somewhat mystified when some kickable penalties were spurned in favour of attacking options which failed to realise a decent scoring opportunity.

Having weathered the storm, Cobham now found their second wind and took control of the remainder of the half and were able to turn their opportunities into points. A penalty and an unconverted try were added to leave the score at 7 to 22 at the break.

The home side came out fighting and were optimistic with the conditions in their favour but for the second week running they produced a scoreless second half. Questions will need to be asked as to why, with a considerable amount of possession and territory, they were unable to break down the visitors defence.

Having taken whatever Beckenham could throw at them in their stride, Cobham had the last say of the afternoon scoring a well worked try to leave the final score at 7 to 29. A win that would take them to joint top of the league.

Beckenham A – 14 Tunbridge Juddians 14 Beckenham ExA 17 – Beccehamians II 5 Beckenham B2 14 – Orpington II 12 Beckenham VETS 0 – HSBC 0 Beckenham Ladies 0 – Canterbury 36