Lancers Sign-off the Season in Style

Lancers – 50  Beccehamians 2’s – 0

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

Tourists Match Report VS Brockleians

Southwark Lancers III 18-10 Brockleians

 

Southwark Lancers III’s gave themselves an outside hope of some silverware in the Master Brew Kent League on Saturday. Against a strong Brockleians side. The Lancers dug in and used their superior speed and stamina across the course of the game to steal an unlikely victory. The Lancers put the first score of the game on the board with Fly-Half Michael Hawthorne scoring a penalty. After withstanding a small amount of pressure in the first half the Lancers broke down the left wing – with Wing Robert Fox scorching the ground to score in the corner. The Lancers couldn’t hold the lead though and Brockleians put some good phases together to score after some poor defensive work.

 

The Lancers reached half-time with no further scores but realised their better fitness & team work should see them home in the second half. They started well and after some good phase play – Javier managed to kick the ball through the sprawling defence to score. Brockleians weren’t to be beaten though and after finding some more resolve they fought back and scored with a massive overlap. The Lancers were hanging in there though and some more contained pressure lead to a charge down try by Javier to seal the game

Title Goes Down to Last Game of the Season for Rebels

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.

Another Tight Squeeze

Southwark 21 – 14 Bromley

Southwark          21

Tries:  Yemi Abitogun (2) & James Tennet Cons: Thakkar (3)

Bromley               14

Tries: Julius Sweetland & Scott Browning    Cons: Unknown (2)

Abitogun double steers Southwark past Bromley

Yemi Abitogun scored two tries in the first half as the Southwark Lancers held off Bromley at Burgess Park in their 21-14 win.

A dominating first half from the Lancers gave the home side a comfortable 21-7 lead, with Abitogun scoring twice.

The victory extends Southwark’s undefeated season to 22 league games, leaving the Burgess Park outfit needing one more victory to be crowned Kent Metropolitan Premier League champions.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Lancers who went behind early on.

Tej Thakkar’s kick, deep inside Lancer territory was charged down and scooped up by Bromley flanker Julius Sweetland who ran under the posts to give the visitors the lead after just seven minutes.

A lacklustre start by the Lancers soon gave way to a dominating display of free flowing and powerful running rugby.

Inside centre Tim Jamieson set the tone on 12 minutes with a commanding run, breaking the Bromley back line who’s suspect tackling would come back to haunt the Kent side.

Tries from winger James Tennant on 16 minutes and number eight Abitogun, gave Southwark the lead for the first time in the game on 22 minutes.

Abitogun doubled his tally ten minutes later as Southwark’s quick ball rugby stretched the slow and bulky Bromley defence.

Captain, David April’s distribution from breakdown situations was constantly rapid and a smart offload by Tej Thakkar to Abitogun, set the back-row forward to score in the corner.

Thakkar sweetly struck the conversion between the uprights, making it three conversions from three, giving the Lancers a halftime lead.

The second half became a defensive struggle for the Lancers as their talisman Abitogun was sin-binned for an alleged high tackle.

Bromley exploited Southwark’s 14 men and replied with a Scott Browning try around the hour mark.

The leagues number one ranked defence showed why they have only conceded 73 points in eight games since their promotion in January.

Stellar tackling and desperate goal line defence in the final 15 minutes earned Southwark a much deserved victory.

Southwark play away to Beccehamian II XV on April 17^th, where a victory ensures the Lancers to be crowned champions.

  By Thomas Howe

Bouncebackability

Shooters Hill II XV 10 – 15 Southwark Lancers II XV

Following the disappointment of a humbling defeat at Park House the previous week the Rebels were looking to bounce straight back to winning ways, however this was to be no easy task.

With several changes to the side (including an untried backs line) the Rebels could be forgiven for showing some signs of ring rust and for the first ten minutes this was the case as they struggled to contain Shooter’s experienced team coming down the hill. The dominance of early possession eventually resulted in Shooters going over for the first score of the half after a grubber kick deceived full back Redford Wallis (making his full debut). They failed to convert and this was to prove to be the only score of the half. This was in part down to some outstanding defending by the Rebels (much improved after last week) and down to their own errors when they had the ball.

The second half was in stark contrast to the first with the Rebels looking to use the slope of the pitch to unleash the pace of their backs. This they did with repeated success and only several superb covering tackles and a few handling errors/lack of support preventing more scores. Of the three scores for Lancers the pick of them fell to Ayoub Lamrani (scoring for the first time ever) the big second row trundling over after a flowing backs move. The half was not for the Rebels as Shooters reverted to the tried and trusted tactic of using their superior pack size to push the ball up field and were to score after some sterling defending. This score set up a tense finish and after some desperate defending the Rebels conceded a penalty on the 5m line. Knowing that a score would tie the game the Lancers pack proved that size doesn’t matter and held the scrum on the 5m line even managing to wheel it towards the blindside, this allowed man of the match Sam Skinner to put in a tremendous tackle on the Shooter’s number 8 behind the gain line. This tackle put the Rebels defenders on the front foot and the resultant pressure forced a knock-on from the Shooter’s backs and with this the match was won.

A great come back after a tough loss the previous week. Credit goes to the entire team and my thanks go to everyone who played out of position and put in such a tremendous effort.

1. Mike Jennings, 2. James Gotsell, 3. Nick Rostron-Pike, 4. Ayoub Lamrani, 5. Guillarme Barthel, 6. Sam Skinner, 7. David Patterson, 8. James Horrex, 9. Tom Seaman, 10. David Anthony, 11. Quentin Dubassy, 12. Anthony Kalu, 13. Todd Adsett, 14. Mike Hawthorne, 15. Redford Wallis,16. Javi Mendez, 17. Matt O’Sullivan

MoM: S Skinner

Tries – A Lamrani, T Adsett, ?

Lancers Continue Good Form (Just)

The day started well with the kit being remembered at the first attempt, and after a typical warm up led by Niall we lined up for the kick off. The opposition seemed very keen – warming up for almost as long as us – which is unusual in the intimidating environment that is ‘The Cage’, and from the size of them we knew we were in for a tough game.

Almost immediately Dartfordians tried to use their superior bulk to drive through the Lancers defence, but some resilient defending saw us break out and exert some pressure of our own. Unfortunately their fly half had a boot on him and we were pinned back in our 22 time and time again. With our lineout struggling to cope with their shortened line – now I know how the oppo must feel most weeks – they drove over 2 line outs from close range.

We countered quickly with a try from Chris Callaway following some great hands and strong running by No. 8 Yemi Abitogun. However Dartfordians drove over another try from short range. Half time the score was 15-7 and the less said the better – at least their fly half couldn’t kick.

Encouraged by the vocal presence of 1^st team captain Nich Bull on the sidelines the Lancers pushed on in the 2^nd half and a great turnover by Yemi left him with an easy 20 metre sprint to the line. A couple of penalties by Tej – including a stunner from the touchline – put the Lancers 20-15 up.

The last 5 minutes were spent defending on our line as Dartfordians threw everything at us. A great try saving tackle by Simon Molloy earned him man of the match and won us the game. His awful attempt at chanting 1-2-3 Lancers (how many times have you done it this season?) earned him Dick of the Day too.

Rebels Fall at Park House

Park House III XV 40+ – 6 Southwark Lancers II XV

Where to start?

Well rather than writing three or four paragraphs of how badly the game went as it will serve no great purpose, I will simply state the blindingly obvious. We just didn’t turn up, sure we could make a number of excuses as to why Park House ran over us but ultimately though it comes down to one thing us.

As weird as it sounds I am grateful for this defeat, it comes as a reminder that we still need to work hard on all facets of our game and that no victory should be taken for granted.

Next up is Shooters Hill at home.

MOM – R Nelson + Y Abitogun – Solid tackles and hard running by both men meant it was hard to separate them.

Pens – J Munn (2)

Tourist Match Report.

The tourists arrived at the West Wickham homes ground depleted of players due to last minute illness and injury. Unusually it was the opposite of recent weeks when The Tourists have had a plethora of backs to choose from and were short of forwards, however this time round the Tourists played 80 minutes with only their wingers and full back playing in position (the rest of the backs were made up of back row players) and the enigmatic Makalele fulfilling a lifetime dream of getting in the mix at no.9.

The match started fairly evenly with play focussing around the centre circle until Beccahamians started to realise that with a complete 2^nd row who had never played before, the Tourists were going to be inexperienced at scrumming and lineout’s. They proceeded to gain the advantage consistently from the scrums, even with it being The Tourists ball. Bravery (and a last minute squad member pulling out) had led to David Jennings playing at hooker and the Tourists struggled to gather momentum in the scrum allowing for David to challenge for the ball. Suffice to say the majority of lineout’s and scrums were turned over by Beccahamians and their dominant and experienced pack.

Beccahamians pressured the Tourists for most of the game however excellent defending kept the score at 17-0 going in to the second half. Two of the three tries coming from the Oppose taking quick penalties and catching the Tourists off guard.

The Tourists re-grouped and the second half produced a better display, credit to Alistair Gilmour filling in at 2^nd row, and Matt Juby playing his first game of rugby. Tutored and led by Alex Cordi at no.8 the scrum pulled it together in the second half and the Tourists began to get some balls through the hands of the underutilised backs. Unfortunately the Tourists were unable to get some points on the board despite Anthony Kalu breaking through their and Dave Patterson getting caught 1 metre short of the line after a 60 metre solo run.  The defensive work was excellent throughout the game with some strong tackling and ball stealing from Anthony Kalu and Dave Patterson.

The final score of 29-0 illustrates the dominance that Beccahamians had at the set pieces and also their ability to win the ball off the Tourists. But the Tourists can take heart from some strong defending of their line in a game which was largely played by the forwards.

Well done to Dave Patterson who gets the nod about Anthony Kalu for Man of the Match, simply because he almost killed himself sprinting for the try line. A special mention to Matt Juby for a very impressive showing in his first ever rugby match. Also well done to David Jennings who played the whole game at Hooker without any complaint at all (well almost!).

Lets call it a draw…

With the opposition crying off a couple of days before the match Southwarks very own fixtures king, Rich Thebridge, managed to arrange a home friendly with Blackheath Bandits, a team two leagues above the Tourists at the moment. It was always going to be a test for the Tourists with a depleted squad and a backline consisting of players who had played a total of 2 games for the club between them, and a flanker who had bravely offered his services to play at 10!

As with the previous friendly, the Tourists first half is best forgotten with the Tourists enjoying most of the possession in the Oppos half. However failing in turning the possession into points. This was coupled with the Tourists defence being easily broken by Blackheath Bandits who raced clear in the half by utilizing the lack of communication and disorganization shown by the Tourists. Blackheath were 0-33 up by the end of the half and it looked like a very tall order coming back from that. The Tourists looked as at the second half as a new game, starting 0-0.

Suffice to say the Tourists did what they seem to do best which is re-group and produce an outstanding second half. The defending improved, communication was excellent and  some powerful crashing from the Tourists pack. With the improved communication it was a matter of time before the Tourists broke through and the next four trys were all basically carbon copies; Zac King, playing at Flanker crashing through with good support play from a selection of Javi Mendes, Phil Clarke, Dave Patterson, San Camillus, Chris Hodder, Pete Boulter and Adam Britton. The Tourists were using their pack well whilst Blackheath continued utilizing their superior size in the pack to either maul through or break through the backs. It was a close second game which the tourists eventually won 35-31 after Makalele did what he does best by touching down in the corner managing to avoid a bone crunching challenge.

Well done to Zac who produced an awesome all round performance which included him converting all but one of the tries, scoring a total of 28 points. A new player to the club and I am sure that even when numbers are back he may have done enough to retain his place in the side!

Overall an outstanding and domiant second half performance as a team against a side who are two leagues above the Tourists.

Orpington II XV 5 – 38 Southwark Lancer II XV

After the trials and tribulations of selection the Rebels (in all honesty the starting 15 had changed about 3 or 4 times during the week due to promotions, absences and injuries) made the long journey down to St Mary Cray to face fellow promotion side Orpington. As always the Rebels travelled in good spirits buoyed by the recent run of good form and were looking to continue this against an always tough Orpington side.

Under normal circumstances a side would be expected to take some time to ‘bed-in’, and be slow to start (a characteristic of the Rebels in recent weeks). This however was not to be the case playing uphill on a bog of a pitch the Rebels looked to play their trademark expansive rugby. Some good early pressure came as a result of good interplay from the backs and forwards resulted in dare I say an easy penalty kick for Alex Royle to convert from in front of the posts. The Rebels lead was further extended when a good backs move form solid lineout ball allowed John Hehir to dive over for the first try of the day. To say that the half was all Rebels would be unfair on Orpington, after some sloppy defending and some needless penalties they were able to make use of their superior size when their massive 2^nd row/8^th man brushed aside some tackles and carried Bertie Elliot over the line. The remainder of the half was a scrappy affair neither side able to overcome the damp and boggy conditions. The half finished with the Rebels deservedly ahead 10-5.

In recent weeks it has taken 40 minutes for the Rebels to get warmed up and while this week was different it was still the 2^nd half that saw the Rebels exert more control on the game. Again running the ball at every opportunity (even when they probably should have kicked) allowed the rebels to take advantage of the tiring Orpington side. Gaps began to appear in the Orpington defence allowing the Rebels to run in 4 unanswered tries. The half was not all Rebels however and Orpington should have scored late in the half but were unable to convert pressure into points.

It would be fair to say that this was the toughest scrum that the Rebels had faced and is an area they will need to improve on in the coming weeks. Some big positives from the game were the impressively lineout work from the forwards the excellent running by the backs. Man of the match went to a democratic vote as the outstanding performances of both Bertie Elliot and Alex Royle left this skipper unable to split the two. Bertie’s 2 tries and hard tackling earned him the nod ahead of Alex.

Well played again lads.

Tries – B Elliott (2), J Hehir, B Fortune, A Royle

Pen – A Royle

Conv – A Royle (5)