ODs made the short journey to Bromley RFC on Saturday afternoon to resume our rivalries boasting a decent side in good spirits. After inevitable early season injuries & unavailabilities we were not far off a full 1st XV notwithstanding a few notable absentees.

Much of the build up during the week was focused on both taking the game to Bromley early on & working on staying in the fight for the full 80 minutes. The coaches were very happy that we achieved both these performance targets in spades!

Saturday afternoon was a game of two halves in two respects, but in both ways, not as you might expect. It's fair to say that our hosts have reached the pinnacle of the league so far this season with a very lively, polished and inventive set of backs. However, once we settled into the fixture and withstood the early onslaughts, the Old Dunstonian pack dominated the vast majority of the first phase scrums and line outs.

Unusually, the majority of the game took place in and around the 22 at the top of the pitch outside the clubhouse. Doubtless this will have pleased the large & fairly partisan crowd who drifted out of the clubhouse clutching their ales.

Bromley started the fastest of the 2 teams up the hill. The blind side flaker, Monk, dotting down following a period of sustained pressure within the first 15 minutes. Malachi Connolly enjoyed a serendipitous interception straight from the restart with Mike Ubee adding the extras. 5-7 up early doors but under pressure.

Bromley worked their way back up the hill from the restart to earn a kickable penalty to go 8-7 up. Old Dunstonians were soaking up sustained pressure and conceding a number of penalties in the process. Griffiths, the lively Bromley 10, profited from some backchat to the ref to make the score 11-7.

Shortly afterwards, Old Dunstonians made amends for their ill discipline with the score of the afternoon. Quick ball from the lineout inspired the backs to pass the ball deftly down the line for Malachi Connelly to dot down in the corner, followed by another excellent nudge from Ubee, saw us take the lead a second time at 14-11.

What followed was more pressure from Bromley which led to further transgressions. Two kicked penalties either side of half time saw us trailing 17-14. At this point Old Dunstonians doubled down on their efforts and application and started to take the game to Bromley up the hill, just as they had done to us in the first half. Following a period of concerted OD pressure on the Bromley line, the forwards worked a try in the top left corner with 10 minutes to go.

The momentum changed again as Bromley fought hard to work their way back into the game. Bromley capitalised on some loose ball to hoof it down the hill. We were unable to clear our lines and Bromley turned us over at the death to score under the posts. A successful conversion saw Bromley take the lead again 24-19 with minutes remaining.

We toiled hard to manoeuvre the ball into Bromley territory from the restart but were unable to trouble the scorer further before the final whistle. Fair play to Bromley on the win. They are a very slick outfit with a diligent back row & a very talented back line. They are the best club we have played so far this season & it is no accident that they are top of the league table currently.

Despite the outcome the coaches were delighted with the performance of the team. If we can keep everyone fit and available and put on a show like this more consistently we are going to become a very difficult side to beat, home or away. Our forwards have demonstrated that they can bully other teams & our backs are very capable of going defensive lines when the opportunities arise.

All photos of the match credited to ICPhotoImages