We have now moved, you can now catch us at www.southwarkrugby.co.uk!
We have now moved, you can now catch us at www.southwarkrugby.co.uk!
Pre-Season will start Wednesday 7th July. Either Clapham Common or Burgess Park…. More to follow.
Already promoted to Kent 2, and with top spot in Kent Met Premier secured, the Lancers could have been forgiven for taking their foot of the gas a little in this last game of the season. Indeed, Beccehamians 2’s were probably anticipating a largely low-tempo match. What they actually got was a 50 points to nil demolition.
Lancers were on awesome form, playing some of their most expansive, free-flowing rugby of all season – 7 tries, with 6 conversions and 1 penalty from an almost faultless Tej Thakker kicking display, took them to the biggest win of this 1/2 season.
Beccehamians had absolutely no response – getting close to the Lancers try line on only one occasion, but then being driven back by some resolute defence. It was during this fleeting spell in the Lancers 22 that Beccehamians began to resort to serious foul play to try and get something from the game. Some clumsy rucking earned them a penalty near our try line and Tunde Adeniji a yellow card. However, this decision was quickly reversed when their number 9 decided to introduce his boot to Kiwi Kerry’s head as the flanker lay on the floor. Kerry’s game was over, and their scrum half joined Tunde for 10 minutes on the sideline.
This proved to be the template for how the rest of the game would pan out – Lancers winning the ball in the forwards and quickly spinning out to the backs to touch down, while Beccehamians resorted to cheap shots and off-the-ball antics to try and get something from the game (a tactic that earnt another of their players a sin-binning before the game was out). Still, it was obvious which style of play was the most effective, with a number of lovely tries being scored by the unstoppable Lancers – a great spectacle to observe in the sunshine! J
Best of the tries would have to be the hat-trick scored by Knotte – two from some strong running through the centre, brushing of numerous attempted tackles, and one a perfectly-timed interception and dash to the try line from halfway. Such a display deservedly earned him MOTM.
So…. Double season over, unbeaten record intact, 722 points scored, only 145 conceded… Kent 2, here we come!
Tries: Knotte (3), Yemi, Little Tim… I’m not sure about the other 2 – I’ve been told possibly Fox and Tim J, but that could be wrong!
Conv: Tej (6). Penalties: Tej (1)
MOTM: Knotte
Mike Jennings, Mike Neville, Nick R-P, James Kellok, Richard Black, Sam Skinner, Seydou, Dave Bull, Tom Seaman, Chris Buckle, David Anthony, James Munn, James Tennet, Mike Hawthorne, John Hehir, Redford Wallis, Alex Molokwu
Meet London Bridge at 12.30 usual Place – Any probs Call Mike 07590 545050
JR, San, Shrek, Yuppie, Baba, Kiwi, Bertie, Yemi, 8Ball, Tej, Shearer, Dumper Tim, Poogaroo, Knotte, Patrick J, Grandad, Mike N.
Meet London Bridge – 12.45
Westcombe Park Gents 17 – 40 Southwark Lancers II XV
Return to Form?
In recent weeks it would be fair to say that the Rebels have stuttered their way towards the end of the season losing 2 out of the last 3 previous games. This dip in form had seen the Rebels lose their status as league leaders to Beckenham Vs. So with the being the penultimate game the Rebels needed a win and they delivered.
As always the side travelled in good spirits and were looking forward to playing on a hard pitch and in the warm conditions.
The first 40 was as usual a scrappy affair with neither side able to establish any dominance that is with the exception of the set piece, the smaller Rebels pack again showing good technique and strength to dominate the scrum and despite a novice thrower at lineout manage to win a good proportion of ball. The Rebels flew out of the blocks and in his first appearance for the side Knotte bagged his first try. This flying start could not be sustained as the Gents looked to bounce back quickly and they bagged their try after some costly Rebel errors. The rest of the first half was full of handling errors and this hindered the Rebels progress as they were unable to capitalise on their superior pace. Try of the game came late in the first half as another handling error in the Gents half handed them the opportunity to clear their lines, the pack perturbed by this error promptly shattered the opposition scrum regaining possession of the ball and allowing the backs to score off of first phase ball.
Score at the half 5 – 20.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first with the Rebels scoring quickly. This score however seemed to sting the Gents into life and for the first time in the game the Rebels were under some constant pressure. This pressure was not all down to the fine play by the Gents it was as much down to the Rebels switching off for ten minutes and committing numerous errors and penalties. After this spell the Rebels started to exert themselves once more taking advantage of the broken field as bodies tired in the heat. Again though it was a scrappy half and the final score line did not truly represent what the Rebels could have achieved if they had managed to retain the ball better.
As eluded to before it was a good all round Rebels performance but full of errors by all concerned. My thanks go to Shrek for playing out of position at hooker and 8ball for filling in at 10.
This victory sets up a thrilling encounter with Beckenham V this week and will decide who wins the league. So all hands to the pumps and lets cut out those errors and cap what has been a great year by winning some silverware.
1. Mike Jennings (c), 2. Rich TheBridge, 3. JR, 4. James Kellok, 5. James Munn, 6. Sam Skinner, 7. Bertie Elliott, 8. Yemi Abitogun, 9. Tom Seaman, 10. David April, 11. David Anthony, 12. Kerry Rowland, 13. Knotte, 14. Mike Hawthorne, 15. Patrick Jalloh
Tries – Knotte (2), JR (2), David April, Kerry Rowland
Conv – David April (5)
MotM – The Pack – cracking scrummaging display and work in the field and a fairly solid lineout.
WotW – Knotte – despite managing to score twice, for failing to notice a 3 on 1 overlap on more than one occasion.