Brentwood RFC
Injuries mount up as Brentwood lose
CHINGFORD 18 - BRENTWOOD 6
(London & South-East Division N1)

Brentwood lost out to the league leaders in a hard fought encounter. Director of Rugby Steve Killington was forced to make a host of changes due to injury and sickness. Killington, Jed Roman and Ben Amato came in for second-row Paul Pickworth, flanker James Metcalfe and number eight John Beith.

Brentwood were soon under pressure from a lively Chingford team and within five minutes were down seven points following a converted try from the home side. Chingford kept Brentwood in their 22 while the visitors' defence was not helped by atrocious line-kicking and a poor strategy of trying to run the ball from within the 22. With Brentwood unable to settle down, their play was error strewn which gave Chingford an easy platform to launch attacks and they eventually scored their second try. At last, following a kick up field, Brentwood got on the score-sheet when a penalty was converted by winger Stuart Green. Towards half-time penalties were scored by both teams until bringing the score at the interval to a Chingford lead at 15-6.

After the break Brentwood continued to struggle against what was an average home team. The first quarter had been a torrid affair when only poor finishing by Chingford had kept the score at a respectable level. The second half saw the Brentwood pack toughen up against the opposition and with more ball the backs started kicking upfield for territory.
Chingford strangely changed their tactics and stopped feeding the backs. The odd approach helped the visitors to control periods of the second half. With Killington in the tight and Geary in the loose playing well, Brentwood were now matching Chingford in most areas of play. But another penalty, this time for offside, saw Chingford increase their lead to 18-6. As the final quarter progressed Brentwood's pack continued to pick up the pace resulting in the opposition's forwards effort fading.

With injuries mounting Ashton Bevans-Royston replaced his brother at prop and Laure Osunsami and Francis Ambrose came on for Emanuele Palladino and Emile Solomans. As time ran out winger James Cowen eventually saw the ball and after a 40-metre dash almost made the line.

A final score of 6-18 saw the end of a scrappy game lacking excitement for the spectators. Since promotion Brentwood have suffered from a lack of confidence in the opening periods of most matches. However, their second half displays prove that they have the ability to remain in this league.They remain in equal eighth place in the league table.