Pilgrims Match Report v Bromley

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.