Illegal try proves a "bite on the back-side"

Despite Beckenham being awarded an “illegally-scored” try early on, the Green and Whites were just minutes away from clinching victory in a tight game.
The home side led for much of the season’s curtain-raiser against Beckenham at Coolhurst before a late try swung the game the way of the hosts.
Fifteen points came from the boot of Tom Johnson via penalties for Horsham but while admitting they themselves were wasteful, Stocker was left frustrated by the visitors’ opener.
A ball grounded by Horsham behind their try-line should have resulted in a 22 metre drop out, but it was missed by the official and a Beckenham try was allowed.
Stocker explained: “Referees judge themselves as to if the game was played with no serious injuries and is therefore safe, or if their decision has not been a wrong decision which makes a difference one way or another to the outcome.
Unfortunately on this occasion, it did. In the first five minutes there was a good exchange going on from both sides and we have scored a penalty to put us 3-0 up.
An innocuous kick over the top was collected by our full-back and put down over the try line for a 22 metre drop out. As he was running up to take the drop-out, he was tackled by an opponent, who collected the ball to score.
The referee claimed he did not see clear ground of the ball, but having watched the video afterwards, it’s clear he absolutely did ground the ball – those five points have come back to bite us in the backside.”
Horsham led 15-11 with five minutes remaining with Beckenham adding two penalties to their early score, before the late winning try.
Stocker admitted there were pleasing aspects to their performance as they limited their visitors to one attacking opportunity all game.
The head coach added: “We had four good try-scoring opportunities and did not take them. I wasn’t pleased with that and if you don’t take them, you are always going to be in the lap of the gods.
They were pleased to come away with the win and while I thought we looked the more threatening in attack, both sides were very good defensively. There were some very good performances from individuals stepping up to make their first team debuts.”

Report by Ollie Berry, WSCT

Horsham: Brady (Fairs 60), Fisher, Barber; Harcus, Clarkson; O’Rahilly, Thompson, Gray (Whiting 50); Layzell, Johnson; Nwachukwu, Ordidge, Wilde, Gonzague (Palmer 50); Bell