Beckenham 40 v 12 Lewes

Rugby Union London 2 SE League

BALMORAL Avenue witnessed one of Beckenham's better performances of the season against a strong Lewes side which had beaten them in early February, writes Neil Millan.

The lynhpin of this win was committed team play where support for one another was the order of the day.

Beckenham kicked off with a strong wind at their back.

Lewes immediately knocked on and Beckenham had an attacking platform just outside the Lewes 22.

The scrum was solid, setting the tone for the game, and no 8 Jarrad Tipene picked up, dummied and made good ground before he was tackled.

He off-loaded in the tackle and the ball went through Jamie Pinn's hands to Paul Roumph who sent Pat Wright over for his first try which he converted with ease.

It was 7-0 and less than a minute had elapsed.

Minutes later and it was 14-0 when Wright, who had picked up a dropped ball in midfield, sprinted in to score his second converted try of the game.

Following a missed penalty by Wright after an offence at a line-out Lewes enjoyed a period of attacking play which culminated in an individual try by lively scrum-half Matt Sole who beat several would-be tacklers in his 40m dash to the line.

His try was converted by full-back Neil Rumble who moments later left the field with a recurrence of an ankle injury.

This score only served to spur Beckenham into action.

Neil Dipple, playing at inside centre, made a great break following another strong Beckenham scrum.

At the next scrum, conscious of Beckenham's forward strength, the Lewes forwards were penalised.

The penalty was moved 10m for backchat and Wright took another shot at goal.

Although he missed the kick Lewes were now under enormous pressure.

Following a good attacking kick and a great chase by centre James Hixon Beckenham were awarded a scrum on the 5m line.

As if to emphasise their superiority Beckenham scored a pushover try with scrum-half Reggie Raynor claiming the score.

The final score of the first half came from Pat Markey who had a superb game.

From a 5m line-out the forwards drove over with the Markey scoring the try his play deserved.

Wright again converted to make the score 28-7 at half time.

In the second half Lewes had the wind and showed real determination to get back into the game.

If magnificent attack was the feature of the first half for Beckenham then magnificent defence was the hallmark of their second half.

They held the line well in the face of determined Lewes attacks but when the opportunity presented Beckenham were still lethal in going forward and eventually Wright scored his third try.

The move started in the Beckenham half with slick inter-passing before Wright got his hands on the ball for a try he converted.

Lewes then scored a well-worked try themselves when, from a line-out in the Beckenham 22, they moved the ball wide to for centre Tom Saunders to score but with Rumble off the pitch the conversion was missed.

Beckenham began to use their substitutes - centre James Farmiloe made his league debut for Beckenham with Neil Dipple moving to scrum-half to replace Raynor.

When Farmiloe came off the bench he joined seven other players on the pitch who had come through the youth set-up.

A great tribute to all who work hard to coach the juniors at Beckenham RFC.

The final score of the game belonged to Tipene who played a disciplined captain's game.

He powered over after picking up from a scrum 10m from the Lewes line.

The final score of 40-12 accurately reflected Beckenham's superiority on the day.

A powerful forward performance provided the platform for Beckenham's exciting backs led ably by stand-off Wright who finished with a personal points tally of 25.

Coach Simon Kift said: "It was an excellent performance from the boys who showed excellent discipline.

"They took the chances they were offered when they came and defended well against a strong Lewes side."

Beckenham play Old Colfeians in a Kent Plate game next Saturday at Balmoral Avenue. Kick-off 3pm.