CharltonParkRFC

CHARLTON PARK 26 BRIGHTON “BLUES 20.

Charlton Park retained their unbeaten start to the season with a well merited win over Brighton, and in doing so ended the Sussex’s side’s unbeaten run in all competitions that had run for eighteen months.

With both sides unbeaten this season a tense match was in prospect but against the odds both sides started to play flowing rugby and indeed Charlton had the opportunity to take the lead within the first five minutes when having created a three man overlap they squandered the chance when taking the ball into contact instead of passing it.

It was Brighton that upped the tempo of play and when awarded a penalty they were unlucky not to take the lead when the kick hit the posts and bounced to ground out of play. The period of play following the restart kick proved profitable for Charlton as they regained possession and following a series of good forward drives, allied to good handling, they were awarded a penalty, kicked by Sam Naden, giving the home side the lead which they were not to lose for the rest of the match.

Attempting to play with width both sides tried to run the ball and both sides had opportunities to kick penalties but the efforts both fell short of the target. Through out the opening exchanges Charlton’s forwards had contested well in both loose and tight exchanges and a quickly taken tapped penalty Charlton drove into good field position deep into Brighton’s half of the pitch. A rock solid scrum ten metres from the Brighton goal line saw Charlton score a try; when following the visitors’ scrum being driven backwards Charlton’s Number 8 Lewis Williams’ pick up at the base and subtle pass found Michael Casizzi who dived over to touch the ball down, and with Naden adding the conversion Charlton extended the lead..

Through out the first half Brighton’s well drilled backs, allied to good passing had caused slight tremors in Charlton’s defence although good defence had nullified any real scoring opportunities for the visitors. It was following a period of pressure that saw Brighton gaining territorial advantage for a period of time and when following good line’s of running and handling from Brighton, Charlton missed a vital tackle in midfield and the visitors scored a well merited try to open their account for the match.

There had been in the first half had seen several instances of ill-discipline from Brighton and it was another example of this that lead to Naden kicking a second successful penalty for Charlton that lead to them holding a well merited lead and due recompense for their efforts.

The second half saw both sides continuing to play expansive rugby but it following another period of pressure Naden kicked his third penalty for Charlton to extend the lead. Unfortunately for Charlton however at the restart they made an error that lead to Brighton kicking their first penalty of the match and thereby nullifying any advantage gained previously by Charlton.

There then followed a period when Brighton began to gain ascendancy in the forward exchanges and despite continued good fifteen man defence from Charlton they were unable to clear the pressure. Brighton finally scored their first try when following well drilled driving they forced their way over Charlton’s goal line to touch the ball down to score.

Charlton, despite the slight wobble in play struck back in the possible way when at the restart they were awarded a long range penalty, which although falling short set up pressure for Brighton who immediately gave away another long range penalty. Although the second penalty once again missed, good chasing of the ball by the kicker Casizzi saw him charge down the attempted clearance and he outstripped the defence to fall on the bouncing ball to score his second try of the game and his fifth in the last two games. Naden added the penalty from close to side line to steady Charlton nerves.

As in the first half Brighton continued to exhibit several examples of ill-discipline in the second half and these had previously cost them dearly as they had given away field position or had been marched back ten metres making kicks easier for Charlton. It was following an example of “back chat” to the referee, when Charlton had been awarded a penalty, that saw the kick being moved ten metres downfield and into kicking range and Naden accepted the opportunity to kick the points to take his personal tally for the match to 16 points.

Requiring two converted tries to keep their long unbeaten run Brighton upped their efforts and the last few minutes saw a series of frenetic plays from the visitors which lead to them scoring a converted try with the last move of the match and Charlton emerging with a well merited league win.

Charlton’s other three teams were in merited table action and the 2nds and 4^th teams had good wins over Beckenham and Shooters Hill respectively. 

Charlton Park return to league action in two weeks time with a visit to newly promoted Old Gravesendians on 10^th October.

Brighton Blues lost narrowly away to Charlton Park going down 26 - 20. Weather conditions were near perfect with the Charlton Park pitch also looking immaculate. It was Park who were quicker out of the blocks in the opening stages taking the game to their visitors. The visitors were rewarded with a penalty for an infringement at the breakdown by the Blues to make the score 3-0. It was ill discipline which ultimately cost the Blues as they conceded 12 points through penalties throughout the match.

Charlton Park opened the try scoring with a good move off the back of the scrum from which the blindside winger dived over and scored. Park Full Back, Sam Naden added the extras to give the hosts a 10 point lead. The Blues took the game to their hosts and were unfortunate not to score through James Trevis after a good break by hooker Adam Salvage. The Blues were eventually rewarded with a try of their own after a break by Neil McGovern set left wing, Ash Hallett up to dive over the line for the Blues first points of the game.

Naden converted another two penalties to give Park a 16-5 lead at half time.

The Blues came out firing after half time and were rewarded when Alex Finch converted a penalty to take the score to 16-8. The Park defence was once again breached, this time by right wing James Trevis who went over to score in the corner to bring the Blues to within 3 points of their hosts 16 - 13. Again, straight from kick off, Brighton went on the attack and drove over the Park line only for the referee to decide it was held up. Park were able to clear their lines and were rewarded with a penalty at the other end to make it 19 - 13. Park then began to pile the pressure on the Blues and were rewarded when a charged down kick enabled their right wing to sneak over in the corner to take the game out of reach.

The Blues, to their credit never gave up and scored a converted try of their own through Adam Salvage to make the final score 26 - 20. A disappointing defeat but Charlton Park were worthy winners on the day and will be strong promotion contenders at the end of the season. Head Coach, Neil McGovern commented, “we came off second best today and were beaten by a better side. Our discipline must improve if we want to compete with the best sides in this division”. The Blues now turn their attention to the EDF National Vase knock out where they face Sandown and Shanklin at Waterhall. Kick off is at 2:30pm.