Pilgrims Match Report v Bromley

Bromley 38
Pilgrims 30

The Pilgrims travelled to Bromley for what has been a keenly contested match over the past 2 seasons with both sides winning their home fixtures last season.
Bromley opened the scoring with a chip over the top with Pilgrims defence out of position which allowed Bromley’s left wing to race through and score an unconverted try. 5-0.
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. Good line out ball was spread wide and only good Bromley defence stopped pilgrims short, but a strong drive from Flank forward Tom Mackenzie saw pilgrims dot down out wide to level the score. 5-5. They were on the front foot again as they asserted their dominance at the lineout, forcing a number of Bromley errors that led to turnover ball, but it was soft defending out wide that led to Bromley taking the lead, slightly against the run of play. Pilgrims looked to have Bromley’s attack covered, but a missed tackle allowed them in behind and they exploited a simple 2 on 1 for a converted score, 12-5.

Pilgrims responded well and again applied pressure at the set piece which saw Owain Collins reduce the arrears with a well taken penalty goal. 12-8.
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 to the edge 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 put the Pilgrims back into the lead. 12-15.
From the Kick off Pilgrims were straight back on the front foot with prop Cam MacMillan going on a 20 metre run that saw him bounce Bromley defenders as he galloped in behind. Quick ball was moved wide before Tom 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.
The 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 pilgrims cold and allowed Bromley to add a third unconverted try to make the score 17-22.
Again the city side response was a positive one with good line out ball moved wide well by the backs, the momentum was stopped by a Bromley high tackle and Collins stepped up to slot a penalty. 17-25.
With the half drawing to a close, poor pilgrims defence around the ruck allowed Bromley in behind and they added another score against the run of play to take the half time score to 24-25.
The 2nd 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 Bromley take the lead with a well taken penalty 27-25 before they added a further try after Pilgrims long 22m clearance was returned with poor defence alignment allowing them a simple score to take the score to 32-25.
The city side continued to look dangerous on attack and added a deserved bonus point try when a powerful run by AJ Masaka led to an unconverted score to leave the game finely balanced 32-30 with only minutes remaining.
Despite having opportunities to add to their tally, good Bromley defence and some questionable decision making saw Bromley extend their lead to 38-30 with 2 well taken penalties as an entertaining game came to an end. Pilgrims take a bonus point from another improved performance with their next game at Home to Dartfordians at the MTG in what promises to be another keenly contested affair.