Latest Match Reports
RASH DECISIONS PROVE COSTLY
Croydon skipper, Rob Beard, must be wondering what he has done to upset the rugby gods. For the second week running he saw his side dominate the game for long periods only to return empty handed, this time the refusal to accept 2 simple penalties from in front of the posts being the difference between success and failure.
The incessant rain being driven down a significant slope meant that most of this match was played in one half and all 35 points were scored at one end.
Croydon started into the wind and a good drive by Nick Ray set up an early penalty for Alex Warsop which crossed the bar before being blown back into play.
Croydon’s scrum and line-out worked well and for 35 minutes they restricted their hosts to 2 penalties and midway through the first half they should have converted a simple penalty themselves but a quick tap was taken and the chance lost.
Late in the first half Bec took advantage of 2 defensive errors to cross for tries which gave them a commanding first half lead.
Playing with the elements in the second half, Croydon were immediately on the offensive and after 47 minutes, Jabs Zulu burst through the midfield to set a platform for the forwards and Ray was driven over to start the comeback.
The tactics were clear - Play in the home 22 and the points will come.
Warsop converted an easy penalty and should have put over another but another quick tap came to nothing.
After 63 minutes Croydon scored the try of the match, Zulu and Craig Bond combining to put Beard over at the posts. Warsop converted to set up a frantic last quarter.
Several good chances were created but 3 successive line-out were turned over in the increasingly difficult conditions and Bec held on for a narrow victory.
There is very little to chose between the teams in the League this year and surely Croydon’s luck will turn soon and they will begin to climb up the table.
