The last match of the first half of the 2012/13 season saw Brentwood entertaining local rivals Romford & Gidea Park. The home team, sixth in the league with 36 points, were facing an in-form club lying in eighth place with 29 points.

Director of Rugby, Steve Killington, made only one change to his team this week, with Jack Springall replacing Matt Northall at prop.

On a cold, bright afternoon, Brentwood kicked-off downhill and won an early penalty which was just missed by full-back Dan Whitehead.

Early play showed the visitors’ pack making a vigorous start upsetting the rhythm of their opponents. With Brentwood’s forwards standing off the play, the visitors’ feisty pack continued to have the better of the first-half.

The home side briefly got into the game with breaks from number eight John Beith and centre Adam Thomas. A penalty kick by Whitehead to Romford’s 22 saw the visitors having to defend their line. Eventually scrum-half Luke Green, the man of the match, broke through for an unconverted try.

With Springall injured, Northall joined the fray. With a slippery ball, Brentwood were unable to secure enough phases to pressure Romford’s defence. Both sides were showing very little skill and in frustration the game became more and more ugly. With the referee unable to keep control of the two packs, Brentwood hooker Terry Snooks and a Romford player were both yellow carded following a a bout of shoving.

Yellow cards showered out from the referee with Brentwood back-row James Metcalfe and Romford’s number five both being sent to the sin-bin.

With half-time approaching, play became end to end before Declan Gillet was tackled without the ball. Whitehead kicked the penalty to put Brentwood ahead 8-0. However, the referee then caught Brentwood off-side in front of the posts. The penalty kicked, Romford started the second-half 3-8 down but now with the slope advantage.

A first-half showing the energy of Romford’s pack nullifying Brentwood’s play but lacking any attacking moves of their own. Brentwood stood off too many areas and allowed Romford to spoil their game plans.

With Snooks and Metcalfe back on the field, Brentwood changed gear and started to gain ground. Gillet was replaced by centre Jon Wylie who was returning from a serious knee injury. Whitehead moved to fly-half. Another bout of punching saw Snooks off again after much provocation, which meant receiving a second yellow card. The game continued with much dirty play caused by the referee’s inability to maintain full control.

With Brentwood down to fourteen players, Romford forced an overlap on the home side’s left wing and scored an unconverted try.

At 8-8 and playing uphill, Brentwood dug deep. Second-row Rob Hobbs replaced Tom King as the pack pushed upfield to win a penalty under the posts which was kicked by Whitehead. Into the last quarter, Brentwood were now 11-8 up and playing their best rugby of the match. Romford suffered another yellow card with their eighteen being sin-binned for persistent infringement at the breakdown.

Ten minutes to go and Brentwood were now dominating the game, keeping the ball mainly in Romford’s 22. The pack had finished the stronger and went close to driving over in the closing minutes.

A dire game of little skill was poor fare for the large crowd of spectators from both sides. Local rivalry got out of hand at times with periods of unnecessary ill-tembered play. Brentwood just about deserved their 11-8 win, and four more league points, for showing a greater determination to use their backs in attack. The return match should be a cracker and will require a firmer referee.

With Luton beaten this week by Bury, Brentwood move up to fifth place in the league with 40 points from 13 games.

Next week the 1st XV play Basildon at home (ko 2.15pm).

Team: Sherwood, Snooks, Springall, Woodcock (capt), King, Metcalfe, Beith, Stewart, Green, Gillett, Dee, Thomas, Stanier, Poole and Whitehead.