Loughton 5pts, Brightlingsea 15pts
Brightlingsea were not at their best but never looked in any real danger of losing this closely-fought match. The forwards had to battle hard against the powerful Loughton pack but Brightlingsea were always threatening whenever they got the ball wide. Brightlingsea took the lead mid way through the first half when James Barbour gassed the outside defence following quick ball from the lineout. Matt Francis added the extras from tight on the touchline. But for last ditch tackles by the outstanding Loughton fullback Brightlingsea would have crossed the line three more times in the first half but had to settle for just a 7-0 lead at the break. Early in the second half Luke Baldwin should have capped the best move of the match after brilliant work by Tom Harwood and James Barbour but he dropped the ball with the line at his mercy. With the visitors’ lead beginning to look fragile Matt Francis settled the nerves with a penalty under the posts before Olly Morgan released Matt Rose for the score that put the game out of Loughton’s reach. A lapse of discipline cost Andy Marshall 10 mins in the sin bin and gave Loughton the opportunity to crash over for the final score but it was no more than a consolation. For Brightlingsea there were good performances all over the pitch but debutante Rob Harwood earned the Man of the Match award for his all round contribution.
Saturday 24 October 2009
Brightlingsea 46pts, Kings Cross Steelers 8pts
Even missing both first choice scrum halves and an entire three-quarter line Brightlingsea had too much firepower for the Steelers. The afternoon could not have started better with eh Steelers’ kick off failing to go 10m. From the ensuing scrum Ollie Morgan broke from the base and put James Barbour over in the corner for the first of his three first half tries. Matt Francis added a further 2 and Tom Harwood capitalized on the Steelers’ inability to deal with a re-start to pounce on the ball under the posts. Matt Francis added 3 conversions with the Steelers’ only reply being a single penalty.
The Steelers came out fighting in the second half and enjoyed periods of pressure but the Brightlingsea defence held firm. They had added 2 further tries before the Steelers crossed the line for the one and only time. Substitute Tom Humphrey making his 1st XV debut iced the cake, capping off a fluent move. In terms of a man of the match Tom Harwood controlled the game from 10 and Matt Francis had his usual faultless game. It was again difficult though to look beyond Ollie Morgan. The “Brightlingsea Buzzsaw” was everywhere. His breaks from the base of the scrum were devastating and the timing and execution of his pass simply outstanding. Brightlingsea now have the scalps of 3 of the old Essex II sides and their push for the title must be taken seriously.
Saturday 17 October
Stanford le Hope 5pts, Brightlingsea 22pts
With their backline decimated through injury Brightlingsea still had too much pace and invention out wide for Stanford le Hope. The question was whether the pack could give them a platform against a powerful Stanford 8. The first half was a war of attrition with neither side able to fashion a scoring opportunity. Brightlingsea missed two kicks at goal before Matt Francis burst through to score the only try of the half.
Early in the second period James Barbour gassed the home side defence and Luke Baldwin added the extras to give Brightlingsea a 12-0 lead. The home side now through everything they had at them and pounded the line with wave after wave of attacks. The Brightlingsea defence was equal to it and kept them at bay with some magnificent tackling whilst always posing a threat on the break. Loz Annis making his first start of the season was introduced and made an immediate impact with a towering lineout steal. The ball went through the Brightlingsea hands to James Barbour who straightened three defenders for Luke Baldwin to race over. Man of the match Ollie Morgan then went over in the corned to complete the visitors’ scoring. Although the Stanford pressure finally told with a try at the death the points were in the bag by then. This was not an exhibition of Brightlingsea’s open, flowing rugby but the win was a fitting reward for their patience and courage.
Essex League II
Saturday 10 October 2009
Essex League II
Brightlingsea 46pts, Burnham on Crouch 0pts
Whether or not this result is allowed to stand will be a decision for the League as it went to uncontested scrums early in the second half. Burnham will know however that whatever happens they were on the receiving end of a comprehensive hammering. Their scrum was under pressure from the off and whenever a clearing kick failed to find touch the ball was run back at them with pace and invention. Tom Harwood pulled the strings at stand-off and with a little more composure at the breakdown Brightlingsea could have been out of sight by the half-time break. As it was they led by two tries from Matt Francis, one of which was converted by Luke Baldwin making his debut on the wing. An early injury to Jake Baldwin meant a move to the other wing for James Barbour with Jamie Williams slotting into centre from the bench.
At only 12-0 Burnham were still in the game at the restart but the first half effort had clearly taken its toll as Brightlingsea proceeded to run them ragged. Matt Francis completed his hat-trick, Sam Girdlestone also went over three times and James Barbour chipped in with two, the second from a blistering solo run. It was hard to pick a man of the match with outstanding performances all over the park but Matt Francis, revelling in the new found freedom of fullback was faultless in defence and devastating in attack. A great Brightlingsea performance.
Saturday 3 October 2009
Suffolk Shield Semi Final
Brightlingsea 49 vs Felixstowe 6
With strong winds blowing into Brightlingsea faces during the first half, we expected a barrage of kicking from the opposition and be camped in our own half. However Brightlingsea had a different idea, and ran hard and strong, with an outstanding defence not allowing Felixstowe to put the expected plan into place. Brightlingsea’s Line Out and Scrummage functioned very well , with both Neil Mathers (2nd row) and Andy Farrow (hooker) moving up from the 2nd team at late notice to fill the gaps. By half time, Felixstowe had only scored 2 penalties with Brightlingsea scoring 2 of their 7 tries.
The second half began and Brightlingsea soon took the game on, and with some great passing between both the forwards and the backs Matt Rose started to close the game totally off. Matt went on the score 3 tries in the games with the help of an experienced display by the 40year old David Day (another 2nd team regular). With Andy Farrow making way for Ben Cracknell, the weight of the Brightlingsea front 3 went to over 55 stone, and the control was completely ours. Pushing the Felixstowe forwards wherever they desired, and with the backs running straight towards the opposition and offloading increased our momentum.
With several of the first team missing through holidays or illness, things are looking good and places are there to be fought for.
Saturday 5 Sept 09
Dereham RFC 22 Brightlingsea RFC 6
EDF Energy Junior Vase
Brightlingsea Rugby Club 1st XV opened their competitive campaign with a defeat away to Eastern Counties side Dereham last Saturday in the cup. This was despite dominating in the scrum and an excellent defensive performance. Brightlingsea had early possession particularly from set pieces but were unable to develop any fluency in attack and convert possession into points. Dereham opened their account with a penalty conversion against the run of play which rallied the home side into a series of powerful attacks that were repelled by the steadfast Brightlingsea defence. This culminated in Brightlingsea Fly Half, Matt Francis scoring a searing break away try after intercepting an unsuccessful Dereham attack. The visitors then applied a sustained period of pressure with some surging runs particularly from flankers Brown and Tuz. The home side responded with a series of infringements resulting in their full back being assigned 10 minutes in the bin. Brightlingsea were unable to capitalise on their numerical superiority and ended the half without scoring further. The second half saw the tables turned with Brightlingsea’s penalty count rocketing in response to attacking pressure from the home side. For one period during the half Brightlingsea were down to 13 with 2 players in the bin and the home side took advantage developing a lead. However, some superb hits in defence including one bone crunching tackle from Ian Day kept the visitors in touch. Brightlingsea then managed to string together a series of attacking phases in Derehams half finally providing secure ball at the ruck that had been so absent earlier in the game. Wily scrum half Jackson kept the ball in the front 8 and substitute prop Murray Wilson was able to crash over to reduce the deficit. Further pressure resulted in a Brightlingsea penalty that Wilkinson was unable to convert. The game then ended prematurely when the referee red carded a Dereham winger for punching and decided to end the game 6 minutes early much to the bemusement of Brightlingsea skipper Steve Barber. Although defeat was disappointing, Brightlingsea’s scrum and defence was impressive and with further work on attacking play and discipline they should be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Suffolk League II
Saturday 12 September 2009
Brightlingsea Pirates 5pts, Felixstowe II 48pts
This result was not as bad as the scoreline suggests despite an inexperienced Pirates side rarely threatening the Felixstowe line. The scrum, anchored by veterans Merv Slade and Alan Goggin was dominant and the lineout held its own. A spirited defence featured customary big hits by Stan Wong and Ash Williams. Unfortunately neither side was able to hang onto the ball for long enough to produce a free-flowing game with frequent knock-ons and unforced errors. The visitors led 17-0 at the break and it was the latter stages of the game as the older Pirates players started to tire that the score ran away. Brightlingsea did however get their consolation try mid way through the half with a rare passing move resulting in a score in the corner.
Most promising for the Pirates were the debut senior performances, notably by Adam Catterwell in the second row. It was also good to see John Green and Andy Farrow back in the red and black after long absences. If the nucleus of this side can stay together things will improve.
Saturday 12 September 09
Essex League II
Brightlingsea RFC 4, May and Baker 29
Brightlingsea RFC opened their league campaign with a disappointing defeat at home to May and Baker last Saturday. On a hot day the home side failed to take advantage of excellent conditions for the fluent running rugby they are so accustomed to playing. Despite winning ball from set pieces Brightlingsea were unable to retain possession in attack, frequently gifting May and Baker with opportunities to counter attack. This put them under constant pressure with May and Baker pinning them in their own half for much of the game. Brightlingsea’s previous solid defence was also lacking for periods throughout the game particularly in the midfield. This resulted in May and Baker scoring the bulk of their points. Brightlingsea had one decent phase of play in the middle of the 1st half when the forwards kept it tight for a series of drives sucking in the away team defence. This left the home side with numerical superiority out wide that was capitalised on by Matt Rose scoring Brightlingsea’s only points of the game. With a few notable exceptions including an excellent performance from Flanker, Karim Tuzni, Brightlingsea’s players will need to raise there game for the forthcoming home match on Saturday against Witham.
Saturday 19 September 2009
Essex League II
Brightlingsea 62pts, Witham 0pts
Witham tackled gamely and never gave up but there were outclassed by a Brightlingsea side virtually back to full strength. Half backs Dan Buckner and Ritchie Robinson brought an increased measure of control to their play and Matt Francis revelled in the freedom of full-back coming into the line with his customary searing pace. The ball was rarely out of the Witham 22 and when it was the powerful Brightlingsea forwards returned it with interest. The scrum was dominant and Witham could not handle Olly Morgan’s breaks from the base. Brightlingsea led after 5 mins when James Barbour broke from just inside his own half following a slick midfield move. 3 more tries were added giving the home side a 24-0 lead. Openside Adam Brown had been one of Witham’s chief tormentors but if they thought his departure with an injured shoulder early in the second half would bring some relief they were quickly proved wrong when sub Sam Girdlestone pummelled them with a series of bruising runs. The dam had now well and truly burst and Brightlingsea added 6 further tries to complete a thoroughly comprehensive victory.
Saturday 26 September 09
Essex League II
Writtle Wanderers 5pts, Brightlingsea 8pts
Brightlingsea could have won this game by half time then could just as easily have lost it in the second period. The pack were dominant and makeshift scrum half James Barbour sent a steady supply of quick, clean ball to stand-off Will Morgan. The inside switch consistently ran into the home side’s solid defence but Brightlingsea always looked threatening when the ball went wide. Unfortunately the final pass repeatedly went agonizingly astray. Nevertheless they turned round 8-0 ahead with a Will Morgan penalty, and an Olly Morgan try which capped a flowing move that started on the opposite wing.
Within minutes of the start of the 2nd half both influential half-backs had gone, Will Morgan with a dislocated shoulder and James Barbour aggravating a hand injury. Although Barbour did return to the centre from the blood bin his defence was severely hampered. Ritchie Robinson stepping in at 10 tried hard to steady the ship but Brightlingsea’s composure seemed to evaporate and in the end they were relieved to concede only a single try and come away with 3 valuable points. On the positive side with things going against them and Writtle sensing that the momentum had swung Brightlingsea gutsed it out and refused to buckle. Coming through a test of character like this is an important step in the development of this new-look side and the future looks bright.
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