Brentwood 15 Old Haberdashers 23 (London & South East Division 1 North)
6th April 2013

by David Anderson

Back in November in atrocious wet conditions, Brentwood travelled to the Habs ground at Borehamwood and won a hard fought clash 16-11. Since then, Brentwood have kept ahead of Habs in the league, currently having 70 points in sixth place compared to the Habs’ 54 points and eighth place.

Director of Rugby Steve Killington was forced to make three changes this week. Jon Crisp and Jack Springall replaced Anthony Sherwood and Terry Snooks in the front row and Declan Gillett returned to fly-half.

In front of a large post-lunch crowd of 300 supporters, Habs kicked off downhill. On the sunniest and warmest day for at least four months, conditions were ideal for a fast flowing game of rugby.

The visitors won an early penalty which they declined to convert, going instead for an attempted try and seven points. Several moments later, another Habs penalty in front of the posts was converted for a 3-0 lead.

With pressure from the Habs pack, Brentwood failed to concentrate on their gameplan which has served them so well this season. Poor handling and tackling allowed Habs to maintain their early grip on the game.

However, with the first quarter ending, scrum-half Luke Green and fly-half Declan Gillett forced play back upfield into the Habs 22. A series of five scrums was well defended by Habs who suddenly broke out of their 22 to score a breakaway unconverted try.

At 0-8 Brentwood were in deep trouble and lacking their usual “grunt” up front, the team seemed strangely unable to change gear.

Into the second quarter, Brentwood drove upfield and won a scrum on the Habs 22 line. A break through the Habs defence by Gillett saw winger James Cowan over for a well worked try. The conversion from Aaron Stanier brought the score back to almost level at 7-8.

Habs recovered quickly breaking downfield into Brentwood’s defence. With the home side’s backs packed on the blindside, Habs openside winger strolled in for his side’s second try. Converted, the visitors were now 15-7 up. Terry Snooks replaced the injured Jon Crisp. Play remained scrappy on both sides until the stroke of half-time when winger Ryan Dee stepped inside his marker to score Brentwood’s second try following a series of immaculate passes from the backs.

At half time and only down 12-15, Brentwood were going to play downhill and were looking favourites to win the match. However with Habs playing simple but effective rugby, Brentwood continued to struggle with poor handling, poor discipline (too many penalties), and in particular lacking any decision making on the pitch. With Stanier victim of a late tackle, Charlie Chambers deputised at full-back.

With little structure and lacking control and patience, the home side gifted Habbs a penalty in front of the posts which was duly converted. Brentwood were now down 12-18. With Habs hungrier for the ball and time running out, Brentwood were not able to mount a decent attack.

Well into the last quarter, the Habs inside centre was sin-binned giving the home side a man advantage. However, a penalty in front of the posts and midway in the Habs 22 was kicked by Chambers rather than being used for an attempt at a match winning try.

The game finished with another Habs breakaway try for a victory to the hard-working South Herts club.

Brentwood did not deserve anything from this match. This was a very below par performance to put on before their large crowd of supporters. Having lost away at Ruislip last week, Brentwood now face Westcliff, Romford & Gidea and Eton Manor in the next two weeks. Despite ending the season in a very satisfactory sixth place in the league, the team must now recover its normal attitude and resolve.

Team: Springall, Crisp, Bevans-Royston, Hobbs, King, Metcalfe, Woodcock (capt), Stewart, Green, Gillett, Dee, Thomas, Wylie, Cowan and Stanier.

Next week the Brentwood 1st XV are away to Romford & Gidea Park (ko 3.00pm) on 13th April in the league. This Wednesday (10th April) Brentwood are away at Westcliff RFC in the semi-final of the Essex Cup (ko 8.00pm).