Archive Match Reports

Lordswood 7 Acorns 29

13 Dec 2009

After a traditional and nostalgic warm up, the Acorns welcomed a bulging and bristling Lordswood XV to the Paddock. The match started uncomfortably for the home team as Lordswood took the attack to Sevenoaks. However, despite being trapped in the red zone and enduring seemingly relentless power plays during the first 10 minutes, the Acorns defensive line held well and Lordswood failed to turn the pressure into points. This spurred the Acorns into action and with some good tactical kicking from hand, excellent scrum and line out play as well as fast driving attacks through the centres, particularly from Mik Bernicci, ably supported by the pack, the home side managed to work its way back up the pitch into Lordswood territory mid way through the first half.  Some strong driving and rucking by the likes of forwards Rob Thurnell and Jon Bowler and Bill Park from full back, dragged in the Lordswood defenders which culminated in a try for Adam Park out wide after some sharp passing through the hands of the Acorns impressive back line.  Mike McMorran added the extras and shortly afterwards slotted a penalty to give the home team a 10-0 advantage at half time.

Lordswood were not to be put off and came back strongly at the start of the second half and took the game to Sevenoaks, earning a penalty opportunity which went wide. This shocked the Acorns back to life and the tables turned once more in their favour. Ball retention and territorial advantage was required and again some good scrummaging and clever positional kicking allowed Nicholson and Hutcheson to dominate the lineouts. Despite the Lordswood team resorting to shortening their line, their radar was off and more often than not the ball fell into Sevenoaks hands with the result that progress up the field for the home team continued.  Forwards and backs interlinked brilliantly leaving Mortassagne and McCulloch rampaging up field to create enough space to allow skipper Daniell to run in more or less unopposed for the Acorn’s second try. Again McMorran added the conversion.  Front rows Morris and Manning kept the momentum with their carries and rucking and the home team’s third try came after impressive inter-play between the backs and forwards resulted in intense pressure on the right flank for the visiting team which gave centres Bernicci & Bingham further opportunity to show their skills and to allow Hayward, hungry for work, to cut back inside for the five points. McMorran still had his kicking boots on and made the kick. The Acorns’ final try came from a well weighted grubber kick through from No. 9 Aaron Newport, who’s slick and fast passing had allowed so much of the attacking play from the home team to flow smoothly and stretch the opposition’s resources, which bobbled into the corner to be chased down by young gun Joe Facer showing great speed and composure to squeeze past his considerably broader opposite man to touch down. A very classy score after some champagne rugby. The match was all but over except for a final flurry with Bernicchi, determined to get his name on the score sheet, chasing down his own kick, only to be denied the glory by being illegally impeded by an opposition player. Lordswood tracked back and touched the ball down but, despite tired legs, spotted an opportunity with the Acorns out of position and broke from the 22 restart to run the length of the field and score a consolation try to take the final score to 29-7. 

Acorns from: Thurnell, Mortassagne, Morris, Manning, Hutcheson, Bowler, Nicholson, Daniell, McCulloch, Newport A, McMorran, Bernicchi, Bingham, Hayward, Park A, Park B, Facer.   

On Saturday (19th December) the Acorns take on East Peckham in a home fixture at the Paddock, after which the Club is hosting their traditional Christmas Carols accompanied, once again, by the London Saxophone Choir. All members, supporters and their families are invited to come along at 17h15 and enjoy port, mince pies, festive cheer and some magnificent singing, particularly during the rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas.

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