1St Round RFU Vase Cup

Bromley 8pts Weybridge Vandals 5pts

However, the second string boys acquitted themselves well urged on by back of the day and later substitute prop veteran KEVIN KEANEY the team came within a controversial refereeing decision in the last minute of an unexpected victory.
In the final analysis however Vandals will not be disheartened being eliminated from this competition as their main aim is to continue to impose themselves in London SW3 league which they currently lead. They could well have won this game as they were so much on top in the set piece play but handling and especially their discipline let them down. It was always going to be difficult to win games if they concede a dozen or more penalties and Vandals must reflect on this facet of their game as a crucial penalty could be the difference between a win and a loss in future league games.

Vandals were first into their stride penning the home side in their own half, but a penalty chance and a try scoring opportunity were not taken. They had a further chance from a driving line out, but a handling error and the first of several off side infringements relieved the pressure for Bromley who would of taken the lead themselves with a penalty which was wide. The home side continued to take advantage of Vandals ill discipline, and eventually from an attacking lineout they put together a movement releasing the left wing for a try in the corner which proved to be the only score of a scrappy first half.

Vandals failure to secure the ball from the kick off at the start of the second half enabled Bromley to gather and drive for the line. Vandals held them up and were relieved to see the fly half kick for the corner when hands would have been a better option, with Vandals defence stretched. Bromley kept Vandals under pressure in these early stages of the second period, but could not increase the lead, and the Brownacre boys running the ball out of defence, set up another chance for the forward to catch and drive to the line out. Scrum half LUKE CARTER who had moved from full back at half time, then released centre JONNY HOWE for a penetrating break, which was well supported by prop WAYNE MASON who unfortunately had to leave the field following a heavy tackle. Now is an attacking situation Vandals fly half
JAMES WELLDEN made a superb break from line out possession to send debutant BEN SCOTT in the corner for the equalising score. Flanker
LUKE HIGLEY, the pick of the Vandals forwards and CARTER kept their side on the attack but more handling errors prevented any further score. Bromley responded from this period of Vandals ascendancy with a superb break in midfield, and yet another Vandals infringement gave them the chance to take the lead and this time the Bromley fly half made no mistake with the kick. Vandals still had the advantage at the set piece, but this was negated when Bromley lost a prop through injury, leading to uncontested scrums which meant the home side win their own ball and kick downfield. Frustrating as this was for Vandals, the fought back with full back MIKE O’NEIL making a break but again another handling error prevented a possible score. Still in an attacking position Vandals again drove forward only for the referee to inadvertently obstruct the ball carrying player. A scrum should have been awarded giving Vandals a last ditch chance to get the winning score, but amazingly the referee signalled the end of the game to complete a frustrating afternoon for Vandals, who hopefully will return to winning ways when they take on London Exiles this Saturday.

Bromley 8pts Weybridge Vandals 5pts

With two thirds of the first team players missing it was perhaps not surprising that Vandals lost this cup game their first loss of the season. However, the second string boys acquitted themselves well urged on by back of the day and later substitute prop veteran KEVIN KEANEY the team came within a controversial refereeing decision in the last minute of an unexpected victory.
In the final analysis however Vandals will not be disheartened being eliminated from this competition as their main aim is to continue to impose themselves in London SW3 league which they currently lead. They could well have won this game as they were so much on top in the set piece play but handling and especially their discipline let them down. It was always going to be difficult to win games if they concede a dozen or more penalties and Vandals must reflect on this facet of their game as a crucial penalty could be the difference between a win and a loss in future league games.

Vandals were first into their stride penning the home side in their own half, but a penalty chance and a try scoring opportunity were not taken. They had a further chance from a driving line out, but a handling error and the first of several off side infringements relieved the pressure for Bromley who would of taken the lead themselves with a penalty which was wide. The home side continued to take advantage of Vandals ill discipline, and eventually from an attacking lineout they put together a movement releasing the left wing for a try in the corner which proved to be the only score of a scrappy first half.

Vandals failure to secure the ball from the kick off at the start of the second half enabled Bromley to gather and drive for the line. Vandals held them up and were relieved to see the fly half kick for the corner when hands would have been a better option, with Vandals defence stretched. Bromley kept Vandals under pressure in these early stages of the second period, but could not increase the lead, and the Brownacre boys running the ball out of defence, set up another chance for the forward to catch and drive to the line out. Scrum half LUKE CARTER who had moved from full back at half time, then released centre JONNY HOWE for a penetrating break, which was well supported by prop WAYNE MASON who unfortunately had to leave the field following a heavy tackle. Now is an attacking situation Vandals fly half
JAMES WELLDEN made a superb break from line out possession to send debutant BEN SCOTT in the corner for the equalising score. Flanker
LUKE HIGLEY, the pick of the Vandals forwards and CARTER kept their side on the attack but more handling errors prevented any further score. Bromley responded from this period of Vandals ascendancy with a superb break in midfield, and yet another Vandals infringement gave them the chance to take the lead and this time the Bromley fly half made no mistake with the kick. Vandals still had the advantage at the set piece, but this was negated when Bromley lost a prop through injury, leading to uncontested scrums which meant the home side win their own ball and kick downfield. Frustrating as this was for Vandals, the fought back with full back MIKE O’NEIL making a break but again another handling error prevented a possible score. Still in an attacking position Vandals again drove forward only for the referee to inadvertently obstruct the ball carrying player. A scrum should have been awarded giving Vandals a last ditch chance to get the winning score, but amazingly the referee signalled the end of the game to complete a frustrating afternoon for Vandals, who hopefully will return to winning ways when they take on London Exiles this Saturday.