Category: 2nd XV

Pilgrims 48

Beccehamians 10

By Dan Gill

The pilgrims welcomed Beccehamians to the MTG for their first home game of the season and quickly set about imposing themselves on the visitors with robust defence and direct attacking play.
A couple of early opportunities were spurned as the home side were penalised when in promising positions which allowed Beccehamians to clear their lines. It was from one such kick that the first score arrived when winger Max Campbell leapt high and expertly slapped the ball back into the field of play for fullback Gabe Roberts to collect, he chipped in behind and outpaced the cover to score and give the pilgrims a deserved lead, 5-0.
Roberts was again involved as the city side doubled their lead- great handling by the backline put him in space and his fine footwork and offload sent Max Campbell in for a try.
The forwards were the architects of the final score of the half when they caught and drove a lineout from 10meteres out, Al Evans broke blind and fed flyhalf Luke Talbot who powered over from close range, 15-0 Half time.
The second half started well for the pilgrims with the same combination again to the fore with Al Evans powerful run stopped short only for Talbot to dive over for a bonus point converted try, 22-0.
Pilgrims positive play was let down by an increasing penalty count which saw Beccehamians on the scoreboard when they kicked to the corner and mauled over the resulting 5m lineout, 22-5.
Pilgrims response was positive and after great defensive work by centre Jordan constant, turnover ball was moved wide well and Archie English cantered over for a converted score, 29-5.
Beccehamians were finding it difficult to exit and a poor clearance kick was expertly returned by the fleet footed Roberts who beat a number of defenders before sending Barney Smith away to score, 36-5.
From the resulting kick off, Beccehamians kicked long but found only Steve ‘Frenchie’ Hopkinson who went on a powerful length of the field run that was stopped agonisingly short of being the try of the day when he was bundled into touch just 5 meters short of the line. The ball was reclaimed from the lineout and eventually found its way to Barney smith who finished well out wide for his 2nd of the day. 43-5.
Beccehamians never gave up and their scrappy performance and persistence was rewarded with a second try following a lost lineout, pilgrims again infringed unescesarily and Beccehamians were able to dive over from close range, 43-10.
The home side had the final say when skipper Al Evans powered his way over looking to bring up 50, but the conversion was narrowly missed meaning the game finished 48-10 in the pilgrims favour. The pilgrims welcome Sevenoaks to the MTG next weekend for what is always a closely contested encounter.

By Dan Gill

PILGRIMS 21

Tonbridge Judds 21

The pilgrims first league outing of the season saw them travel to The Slade for what looked on paper to be one of their toughest fixtures of the season.
This year’s squad is a promising mix of youth and experience with some promising young players looking to showcase their talent alongside some established stalwarts.
After an even opening few minutes it was 2 of the more experienced heads who combined well- centre Jordan Contant spotted a mis-match in midfield which he exploited well to make space for fullback Kurt Heatherley who powered through a gap before deftly offloading to promising young hooker Lucas Eule who had too much pace for the covering defence and dotted down beside the posts for the first Pilgrims try of the season. With Slingsby converting, 0-7.
TJ’s were able to level the score soon after as pilgrims ill discipline cost them with 3 penalties conceded in quick succession allowing them to move down the slope and exploit space out wide to break through and score, 7-7.
Pilgrims’ response was positive and a series of strong drives by the forwards saw TJ’s infringe at the breakdown in an attempt to slow their momentum. The penalty was kicked deep into the TJs 22 and after Charlie Mumford and Olly Docherty secured the lineout, skipper Al Evans powered over from close range, skittling home defenders en-route to pilgrims 2nd try. 7-14.
Pilgrims thought they had a 3rd try after a great break by scrum half Barnaby Smith, but he was judged to have infringed in trying to recycle the ball for what looked a certain try which allowed TJ’s to clear their lines.
They soon made the Pilgrims pay when another flurry of quick penalties against them saw TJs power over from close range themselves to tie the score at 14-14.
After regrouping under the posts the pilgrims came out firing and put TJs under pressure for the remainder of the half. Strong tackles by flankers Stevie Hodgekinson and Matt Oliff were complimented by strong carries by props Everatt and Oladeji. The live-wire half back pairing of Smith and Slingsby used the quick ball effectively and only desperate TJs defending prevented further scores until a great kick through by Heatherley was chased brilliantly by centre Archie English and only illegal TJs defending prevented him scoring a deserved try, put the referee instead awarded a penalty try and reduced TJs to 14 men. 14-21 HT.
The second half saw pilgrims spurn an early chance to extend their lead with handling errors letting them down before TJs returned to 15. They hit back almost immediately by applying pressure through penalties which put the city side on the back foot. Some desperate Pilgrims defending couldn’t prevent TJs leveling the score, and this was compounded by Archie English receiving a yellow card for foul play in the lead up to the score. 21-21.
A number of Pilgrims penalties saw TJs come close to scoring again, but solid defence saw them turn the ball over on their own line and Jordan Constants cool head saw him run the ball out from under his own posts to make 20 meters. The backs moved the ball wide and put wingman Harvey Ingram into space. He raced away but was dragged down just short of the line and judged by the referee to have illegally held onto the ball. Judds cleared their lines and again applied pressure to pilgrims defence before they again turned the ball over and kicked the ball long. The fast pace of the game then saw the referee suffer a calf injury, which as the game had reached the 60 minute mark and with no other society official available, meant the game ended at that point with the score all square at 21-21. Pilgrims will feel they should have been at least 2 tries to the good at this point, while Judds had momentum when the game was prematurely halted meaning the return fixture later in the season promises an encounter not to be missed.
The Pilgrims welcome Beccehamians to the MTG for their first home fixture of the season next Saturday and gives supporters their first opportunity to see some promising young players.

Pilgrims 17

Sutton & Epsom 36

The pilgrims made the journey to Sutton in their last league fixture of the season knowing they needed to secure a bonus point win and deny Sutton any bonus points of their own to prevent a relegation playoff next Saturday.

The game started with both sides looking to exert their authority on the match with pilgrims having an advantage in the lineout and Sutton having a slight advantage at the scrums. The pilgrims robust gain line defence was frustrating Sutton until a good running line saw them break through to score under the posts for a 7-0 lead.

The Pilgrims showed good discipline as Sutton kept the ball well for long periods of the first half, but when they did get the opportunity they used the ball effectively to score a try of their own out wide with the conversion missed. 7-5. With the half drawing to a close, the pilgrims back 3 were caught out of position which allowed a speculative Sutton Kick in behind to be regathered and dotted down out wide to bring the half time score to 12-5.

The second half started with what has often epitomised the pilgrims season with the bounce of a ball deciding the next score, with the pilgrims on the attack a loose ball was almost regathered for what would have been a certain score for Owain Collins, but instead the ball bounced in Sutton’s favour and they went the length to score a converted try to take the score to 19-5. The pilgrims emptied the bench after injuries to Archie English and Stan Bull and once again looked threatening with ball in hand, but it was Sutton who scored their bonus point try which condemned the pilgrims to a relegation play off next weekend, regardless of the games outcome.

The pilgrims responded well with 2 tries of their own to bring the score to 26-17, but Sutton, safe in the knowledge their league status was secured began playing with more freedom and they added 2 further unconverted scores in the closing minutes to win an entertaining game 36-17.

The pilgrims must now win a relegation playoff next weekend against Dartfordians at the MTG to ensure they remain in regional 2 next season.

Pilgrims 41

Beckenham 22

The Pilgrims welcomed Beckenham to the MTG for their final home game of the season knowing that 2 wins from their final 3 games will secure their place in regional 2 for next season.

The reverse fixture was decided when the pilgrims missed the kick at goal with the final play of the game to give Beckenham the victory and the city side were keen to put that right and showed good intent from the first whistle as they attacked down the slope in the 1st half. The pilgrims looked solid in the set piece and that was giving the home backs a good platform to attack with Beckenham’s defence commendable in stopping a number of promising early attacks. The Pilgrims did get on the score sheet after 12 mins when a fine break from returning centre Garry Jones saw Tom Mackenzie in support to power over out wide for a 5-0 lead which was quickly followed by Owain Collins adding a second unconverted score before Beckenham hit back against the run of play to score a converted try, 10-7. HT.

Pilgrims kicked off the second half and instantly added their 3rd score when a loose Beckenham kick was secured by Constant and offloaded to Isaac Devine whose skillful run and offload found Collins who in turn put Bull in space before he found wingman Max Campbell who scored in the corner under pressure to cap a fine score that was converted well from the touchline by Hilton, 17-7. Beckenham looked to hit back and thought they had scored following a missed tackle by the ruck only for fullback Owain Collins to somehow get his body under the Beckenham player to prevent the grounding and force a goal line drop out.

The respite was short lived as Beckenham followed up with a fine break from their powerful number 8 and the Beckenham backs found their way over in the corner, 17-12.

Pilgrims added their bonus point score after good work from the forwards from a 5m penalty saw prop Cam MacMillan power over, 22-12. Max Campbell then added a 2nd following a strong run from Constant into heavy traffic, 29-12.

Beckenham were struggling to deal with pilgrims aggressive defence and an element of niggle started to enter the game. A push on Stan bull following a fine tackle saw him yellow carded after he was deemed to retaliate with a push of his own. Beckenham kicked the penalty to the corner and mauled well allowing them to break off the back and score out wide, 29-17. Pilgrims hit back 5 minutes later when fine interplay between forwards and backs saw pilgrims surge towards the line and only a cynical infringement from Beckenham prevented a score which saw their winger receive a yellow card and see both teams down to 14. Tom Mackenzie powered over from the resulting penalty to extend the lead to 36-17.

Pilgrims then gave away 2 penalties in quick succession that allowed Beckenham easy territory gains with the 2nd being kicked to the corner well. A well worked line out was mauled from 5meters out and the Beckenham scrum half broke off the back to dive over and score their bonus point try. 36-22.

With the clock ticking down the pilgrims added a further try-Man of the match James Everrat carried powerfully and bumped off an attempted tackler to get in behind. The ball was moved wide to Max Campbell and he dived over in the corner to cap a good pilgrims performance and bring the final score to 41-22. Pilgrims know that a win from either of their remaining two fixtures away at Battersea Ironsides on 11th April or Sutton & Epsom on 18th April will see them secure their place in regional 2 next season without the need for a playoff game.

Old Colfeians 45
Pilgrims 7

The Pilgrims travelled to old Colfeians having beaten them at the MTG in a high scoring encounter earlier in the season, but knowing they are very good set piece oriented side not to be underestimated. The early exchanges show cased both sides intent- Colfeians looking to maul and scrummage at every opportunity and the pilgrims looking to attack through their pacey backline.
With the early exchanges suggesting it would be an even encounter, the pilgrims looked to gain the upper hand when the colf’s fullback was given a yellow card for 2 high tackles in quick succession, but it was colf’s who opened the scoring- mauling effectively from a lineout to power over from close range which was well converted from out wide. The pilgrims attacking impetus was dealt a blow shortly after when scrum half Fin Mason-Myers was forced from the field with a dislocated shoulder before Prop Dan Gill was yellow carded for a breakdown infringement when defending the try line. The scrum which had parity at that point, was then a man down which allowed Colfeians to drive over from 5m out and extend their lead to 14-0.
The pilgrims looked dangerous when moving the ball wide at pace, but a combination of poor decision making and good Colfeians defence meant their attacks came to nothing. A second 5 m scrum resulted in a second pushover try out wide to give Colfeians a 19-0 lead. The pilgrims then looked to apply sustained pressure before half time and got themselves on the score board when Hilton and Constant combined to send Owain Collins over when he cut a powerful line to score, with Hilton converting 19-7. On the stroke of half time Collins intercepted a colf’s pass with an open field ahead of him but the referee ruled the pilgrims defence were offside. Colfeians kicked to the corner and despite good pressure at the lineout, the loose ball was picked up by Colfeians who powered over from close range to make it 24-7.
The second half unfolded in a similar vein to the first with Pilgrims’ showing lots of intent to move the ball, but good defence and trying to force the final pass prevented pilgrims from adding to their score. Each side received a yellow card with Max Campbell sin binned while defending the pilgrims try line and Colfeians flyhalf given his marching orders for the same offence at the other end. Colf’s were more clinical and added another driving maul try followed up by another scrum driven over from 5m out by the big Colfeians pack. As the clock ticked down they added arguably the try of the day where they moved the ball wide to score in the corner and give them a 45-7 win. The Colfeians captain agreed the scoreline flattered the home side and didn’t reflect what was a much more even contest, but ultimately it was a day in which the city side threw a number of big punches but failed to find the target. Next week the Pilgrims return to the MTG and host joint table toppers Sidcup in what promises to be another hard hitting encounter.

Team:
A. Smith,Bull,Gill,Nicholson,Hunt,McKenzie, Devine, McCormack, Mason-Myers,English, Constant,Collins,Fielder,Campbell,Everatt, Ingram, Philpott.

Dartfordians 34

Pilgrims 26

Pilgrims came off 2nd best in a game of 2 very contrasting halves.
The pilgrims travelled to Dartfordians with a number of absentees through injury which forced a number of positional changes in the back line which included flanker Tom Mackenzie stepping in to the centres.
The new combinations took time to click and this was exploited well in the first half by Dartfordians side who were well drilled and had a clear game plan to test the blind side before looking to spread the ball wide which they did 3 times in the first half to race into a 19-0 lead.
This spurred the pilgrims into action and the strong running of the forwards drove Dartfordians back up the slope on a number of occasions only for dropped balls or infringements at the breakdown letting Dartfordians off the hook. Pilgrims task was made even harder when they lost forward Mo Pangarker to injury on the 30 minute mark. Dartfordians kicked a penalty to the corner and drove over out wide to secure a try bonus point before half time and take a 24-0 lead. The pilgrims finally injected some fluency in their attack as they spent the final 5 mins of the half putting Dartfordians under constant pressure. They drove deep into the 22 with a driving maul from a lineout which Dartfordians illegally stopped just short of the line. The resulting penalty was tapped and the pilgrims looked odds on for their first score on the stroke of half time, only to be turned over in the act of driving over the line when a score seemed certain, Dartfordians cleared and the half ended with them leading 24-0.
Pilgrims came out firing in the second half, and with the advantage of the slope it didn’t take long for them to get points on the board. Dartfordians were on the back foot as the pilgrims surged forward and Dartfordians were adjudged to be offside in midfield, knowing he had an advantage flyhalf collins clipped a cross field kick from left to right which the pilgrims dotted down to score, 24-5.
The second soon followed when Gus Lister spotted an opportunity out wide and his exceptional long pass sent wing man Harvey Ingram on a powerful 70 meter run, he was eventually stopped just short of the Dartfordians line but scrum half Hector Valladares was on hand to pick up and dive over. 24-12.
Sensing the momentum shifting against them, Dartfordians became niggly, but it was the pilgrims who found themselves on the receiving end of the referees decisions as not 1 but 2 yellow cards were brandished within a minute- first industrious debutant flanker Mark Stone was yellow carded for handling a loose ball while offside before captain will Hunt was given a 2nd for what the referee described as an accumulation of offences. Being 2 men down with 20 mins to play disrupted the city sides flow and allowed Dartfordians back into the game. They quickly exploited the 2 man advantage to score their fifth try out wide to take the score to 29-12.
Still playing front foot rugby, the pilgrims were quickly back on the attack and good offloading led to a fine line break by flanker Max McCormack who beat a number of defenders to score, well converted by Lister 29-19. Dartfordians then got the decisive score against the run of play, pouncing on a loose ball and using their numerical advantage to move the ball wide and score their 6th try. 34-19.
Back up to full strength with less than 10 mins to play, the pilgrims were back on the front foot and pushing for a bonus point try of their own. Dartfordians were defending with great determination and thwarted a number of promising pilgrims attacks before wing man Mitch Fielder eventually dived over with the clock ticking down to bring the final score 34-26. Dartfordians held on for a deserved victory after their first half performance, the pilgrims will be looking to bounce back at home on 14th February when they take on old reigatians.

Bromley 38 Pilgrims 30

Two late penalty goals ensured Bromley ran out winners and Pilgrims hade to be content with a losing bonus point.
The home side opened the scoring with a chip over the top with Pilgrims defence out of position which allowed the left wing to race through and score an unconverted try.
Pilgrims reply was positive and set the tone for the remainder of the half as they looked dangerous when getting the ball to the edges. They spread good line out ball was spread wide to test the defence before a strong drive from flank forward Tom Mackenzie saw Pilgrims level the score. They were on the front foot again as they asserted their dominance at the lineout, forcing a number of Bromley errors, but it was soft defending that led to the home side taking the lead, slightly against the run of play. Pilgrims looked to have the attack covered, but a missed tackle allowed them in to exploited a simple two on one for a converted score.
Pilgrims responded well and again applied pressure at the set piece which saw Owain Collins reduce the arrears with a well taken penalty goal. The city side had clear ascendancy at the lineout and this was giving the backs a good platform to launch attacks. They moved the ball well before another great line from Mackenzie saw him race through a gap and his classy show and go sent the Bromley defence for a hot dog to put the Pilgrims back into the lead.
From the Kick off, Canterbury were straight back on the front foot with prop Cam MacMillan going on a punishing 20 metre run. Quick ball was moved well before Mackenzie again picked a great line, this time opting to offload to the supporting Paddy Parker who dotted down for the city sides 3rd try and a 12-22 lead.
Pilgrims then gave away needless field position with poor ruck management, giving Bromley a penalty which they kicked to the corner. From the resulting 5m lineout a short pass to the front of the line caught the defence cold and allowed Bromley to add a third unconverted try. Again the city side response was positive, attacking from good line out ball, and when momentum was stopped by a Bromley high tackle Collins stepped up to slot the penalty.
With the half drawing to a close, more suspect Pilgrims defence at the ruck allowed saw Bromley add another score against the run of play to limit Pilgrims half time le to 24-25.
The second half started as an arm wrestle with Pilgrims still having the better of the set piece, but Bromley playing the slope well and looking to keep the city side pinned in their own half.
A rare scrum penalty saw the home side recapture the lead with a penalty goa and then added a further try after a Pilgrims long clearance was returned with interest, poor defensive alignment a allowing them a simple score.
The city side continued to look dangerous and found a deserved bonus point try through a powerful run by AJ Masaka, leaving the game finely balanced 32-30.
Despite having opportunities to add to their tally, good home defence and some questionable decision making saw Bromley close out the game with two well struck penalties. as an entertaining g Pilgrims gave another improved performance with their next game at home to Dartfordians at the MTG in what promises to be a keenly contested affair.