Becks impress despite loss

4:07pm Tuesday 7th October 2008

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Chobham 21-8 Beckenham

BECKENHAM travelled to Chobham for what was always going to be a difficult test against a team second in the league and still on a high from their 111-0 win against Maidstone a fortnight earlier.

With several changes in an injury ravaged squad, Beckenham started brightly with the wind and slope in their favour.

After some concerted pressure, they took the lead with a Gary Thomson penalty after 15 minutes.

The advantage was short-lived as good combination work between the forwards and backs saw the hosts score an unconverted try.

Beckenham could not create decent scoring opportunities from some good possession as handling errors and lack of cohesion, together with some good defence from the hosts, kept the visitors out.

A penalty for offside on the stroke of half-time saw the Chobham go in leading 8-3 at the break.

Within 10 minutes of the restart, Beckenham conceded 10 unanswered points with a penalty for killing the ball at the ruck and another well-worked forwards and backs try putting Chobham in the driving seat at 18-5.

Beckenham now had their best period of the game and after the backs gained some good territory, the pack took the ball forward giving scrum-half Plews the opportunity to score a fine unconverted try with 20 minutes remaining.

However, within five minutes a penalty for offside in midfield gave the hosts a 21-8 lead and despite some fine attacking play by the visitors, this proved to be the last score of the game as Chobham held on for a well-deserved victory.

This was Beckenham's best 80 minutes of the season against a side who will be in the shake-up at the end of the season.

Having played the top three teams in the league in their opening four games, the Beckenham coaching staff are looking forward to the run-in to Christmas with eight games they feel they can win, starting with a home clash on Saturday against Thanet.

Elsewhere, Beckenham Ladies produced a best of the season performance on Sunday by beating Footscray 17-10 to go top of their league.