Belsize complete double over Horsham in tight game

Horsham welcomed Belsize Park to Coolhurst for the first ever league visit and were ultimately left frustrated at getting no return in a match that was far tighter than the eventual scoreline suggested. Belsize, like Horsham were promoted last season and have had a very successful season in London 1 to date, securing victories over the likes of Camberley and Westcombe Park whilst playing a high tempo and clinical brand of rugby.

Having conceded 22 unanswered points in the first 10 minutes in the return fixture, and knowing that Belsize had a tendency to start quickly, Horsham were keen to avoid the granting of any head start. The opposite proved true when the game remained scoreless for the first 30 minutes as both teams cancelled each other out. In a feature of the game, Horsham were profligate with the opportunities created with the ball in hand, looking far more dangerous than Belsize, but decisions in the red zone proved crucial as 4 try scoring opportunities in the first half were missed. Belsize on the other hand visited the Horsham 22m on 2 occasions in the first half and came away with two tries - one from a driven maul following two successive penalties granting field position on 30 minutes, and the other, a line break following a missed tackle at the fringe of a ruck on 33 minutes. With one of these tries converted, the teams turned around with Horsham 12-0 down.

The second half was a similar affair with Horsham the more dominant in terms of field position and possession but failing to take the chances created. Chief contributor to this was a totally malfunctioning lineout in the face of a brisk wind which prevented the conversion of any pressure created. The scrum on the other hand proved dominant and a solid source of possession and penalties. One such penalty was quickly taken by live wire scrum half Aaron Linfield who darted towards the try line and with Conor Riley in support, the two youngsters fashioned a nicely taken try on 41 mins which when unconverted.

Despite a set back on 45 minutes when Belsize scored following the granting of possession with a well executed kick return which was well supported through multiple phases, Horsham were once again the team looking the most likely to prevail. On 50 minutes, with solid scrum ball moved into the wider channels, Declan Nwachukwu was on hand to finish strongly and with Tom Johnson converting well from out wide, Horsham were back in the game at 17-12 with 30 minutes left to play.

Unfortunately, with kickable penalties eschewed and the lineout failing, Horsham did not overturn the deficit and conceded 2 tries in the final 10 minutes to see Belsize increase the gap over Horsham in the league table with t he final score 31-12 in the visitors favour.

Head Coach Nick Stocker whilst initially frustrated at the result reflected on the positives to be drawn including the fact that 8 of the starting team were 18/19 years old and this ultimately was the difference in the two sides. Belsize were more experienced at game management and took each opportunity created on their 5 visits to Horsham's 22m. They identified where Horsham's game plan went astray and maximised their return from this which is certainly an area that will need development with time.

Whilst the result was disappointing, there were some notable performances from the likes of Elliot Powell on debut in the second row and Nick Bell in the front row. With Aaron Linfield busy as usual and Conor Riley enjoying a good outing, man of the match was eventually awarded to Jordan Smith who performed at his consistently high standards.

Next week, we welcome promotion hopefuls Westcombe Park who will prove a stern test. With both sides having now lost two games on the trot, the pressure is on to see who can reverse the run.