Brockleians 0 v 22 Erith

Pre-season friendly

ERITH started the new season with a friendly at Kent League One side Brockleians.

Brocks started the game strongly with their backs asking a strong Erith side some significant questions.

A loose pass in the Erith centres gave Brocks an easy interception and they almost scored except for a superb covering tackle by Erith winger Glynn Southee.

This gave Erith some well needed vigour and after some good passages of play they came close to scoring on numerous occasions, only for centre Christian Samuels and number 8 Alex Sewell to be denied tries by decisions.

Brocks came back strongly and with some fine kicking from their fly half set up their pack to batter the Erith line with well organised rolling mauls.

Only intense defending by Erith held this onslaught at bay and at half time the game was poised on a knife edge at 0-0.

In the second half Erith upped the intensity, adapting their game play against the well organised Kent One side.

Some deft kicking by Erith fly half Jason Hodge gave the Brocks winger no options but to take the ball into touch.

Erith gained excellent ball from the resulting line out and after some intense close rucking by the Erith forwards, their backs had a four on three overlap which was duly touched down by the ever impressive Southee.

From the re-start Erith put the now-depleted Brocks under constant pressure.

A clearance kick by the Brocks fly half was fielded by Southee.

From a walking start the Erith winger exploded, leaving four Brocks defenders in his wake and sprinted all of 60m to score under the posts.

The conversion was duly converted by Erith fly half Jason Hodge to give the visitors a well deserved 12-0 lead.

Erith kept up the pressure from the re-start with their forwards dominating all forward play.

Again from a series of quick rucks, winger Southee crashed over the line only for the referee to disallow his hat-trick for an earlier infringement.

It did not deter Erith who with more excellent forward play created width for their backs, ending with centre Chris Thomas crashing over for the visitors' third try - 17-0 to Erith.

With the ball back in play Erith continued their momentum and after some excellent work from both backs and forwards, fly half Jason Hodge all but sealed the match for the visitors before unfortunately losing control of the ball over the try line.

With Brocks now reduced to 14 men due to injuries, Erith took the game by the scruff of the neck and Dave hill crashed over to seal a triumphant win for Erith.

Erith's next game is away to Hellingly in the EDF Energy Junior Vase on Saturday.