Gutsy Brentwood are well beaten

BRENTWOOD 0 - STAINES 33
(London & South East Division One North)

Brentwood gave a gutsy performance as they were beaten at home by in-form promotion contenders Staines. The visitors had thrashed Rochford Hundred 92-0 the previous week, but on Saturday they found the going really tough as Brentwood put up a fight. Director of rugby Steve Killington, was again forced to make changes because of the ever-increasing list of injuries. Ashton Bevans-Royston replaced his brother Joel at prop, Francis Ambrose and John Beith came in at flanker and scrum-half, instead of Jed Roman and Emanuele Palladino. Flanker Ben Amato moved to centre in place of Stuart Green.

In high winds Brentwood kicked-off up field, but any opening attack was halted by a penalty for holding on after a tackle in Staines' 22. Going downhill with the wind, the visitors counter-attacked and were awarded two penalties, the second of which was converted. Brentwood, playing with greater spirit in the opening period than of recent games, forced their way back into Staines 22 where hooker Steve Bowyer charged down a clearing kick. Unluckily the ball went dead and from a kick downfield a ruck was won by Staines and their lock forward ran through Brentwood's defence to score a 40-metre try under the posts. The conversion was charged down but the visitors now had a lead of 8-0.
Into the second quarter with the Staines fly-half controlling the games with towering kicks. The blustery conditions made defence against this tactic difficult and the visitors were soon further ahead from another penalty.

Staines were technically a well drilled side, while a quick pack were giving greater support at the breakdowns providing their backs with plenty of useful ball. With coach Fred Lewis replacing centre Shaun Turner, off with a hamstring injury, Staines scored their second try.
A break from their scrum-half was finished off by their number eight. The third try quickly followed when a kick over the Brentwood defence was collected by their lively right winger for a converted try. At 23-0 Brentwood were now in deep trouble as Staines looked dangerous from all areas of the pitch.

Worse was to come when John Beith, playing out of position at scrum-half, was forced off with a knee injury. Paul Geary took his position and James Metcalfe came on at blindside wing-forward. With the visitors, led by their half-backs, now in full control, Staines scored their fourth try, again from their right winger. Converted the visitors had reached half-time with a convincing 30-0 lead. With further injuries in the first half to a team already suffering from unavailability, it was expected Brentwood would find life even more difficult after the break against the promotion pushing opponents.

But the home side, made up of players in unfamiliar positions, had the slope and wind advantage, and began to put pressure on the visitors' pack, particularly on the right, reining in Staines' loose forwards. A committed performance stopped further scoring from the visitors until a breakaway attack was rewarded with a penalty. Converted this was the only score in the second half. Brentwood had many opportunities to score in the final quarter, but could not find a way through their opponent's defence. A clear win to Staines proved they are worthy contenders for promotion this season. Brentwood, under the cosh most of the game, never gave up and in the circumstances gave a gutsy performance.

With no game this week Killington will be hoping that some of his injured players will have a chance to recover.