Defences on top

Neither side were at full strength with Horsham missing powerful back row Michael Tredgett, while absent for Bromley were two leading try scorers, David Banfield in the forwards and James Powell on the wing.

The Green and Whites now have a twenty two point lead over third placed Bromley and one more win from their final five games will ensure promotion to London 2 South East.

Although Horsham will be delighted with the result and preventing the opposition from troubling the scoreboard, they will be disappointed that they failed to score a try for the first time this season.

In the first minute, Horsham sliced open the opposition with a searing break from full back Will Bell but the Bromley scramble defence was equal to the task. The game increasingly became a battle of Horsham’s attack against Bromley’s defence and it was fifteen minutes before the home side even entered the Green and White’s half, after Horsham had been penalised for holding on.

Horsham fired up their rolling maul which drove toward the Bromley try line but then when the ball was spun wide it was spilled under pressure. Horsham were going through the phases and putting their attacking patterns into play but line breaks were at a premium due to the quality and suffocating nature of the home defence. The number of unforced errors and slippages on the soft surface whenever their tried to change direction did not help the cause of the Green and Whites which did not afflict Bromley to the same extent.

When Jamie Gibbs did make a break, the support was not there quite quick enough to convert the opportunity however the attacking position had been created and when on 24 minutes Bromley strayed offside, Tom Johnson slotted the penalty from 25 yards for what became the only score of the match.

Sean Tuhakaraina in particular was making some great tackles to stave off Bromley attacks in the second half but Horsham still had the majority of possession without ever really looking like scoring a try. Bell made another great break to open up the defence but the attack came to nought and then when Johnson had the penalty opportunity to extend Horsham’s lead the kick was missed.

Bromley came back into the game with their inside centre making a fine run to almost score. Horsham carried on trying to pick and go in the face of a determined Bromley defence and as the clock ticked down, the game was on knife edge with the possibility of a Bromley interception or breakaway. The away support were finally relieved to hear the final whistle for a game in which they were well deserved victors but the result was in doubt until the end.

Horsham coach Nick Stocker was delighted with the result but the score line was a first for him. “Not only was this a total shut out, and we failed to score a try but I have never been involved in a 3-0 score line before!

They were living on the fringes of offside and played to the referee which on other days could have resulted in a succession of penalties.
We dominated the set piece, territory and field position but both teams have the best defensive records in the league and good defensive structures.

We left four clear cut try scoring opportunities out on the pitch which if they had stuck would have given a totally different scoreline. I must credit the Bromley defence. They didn’t just target the ball carrier but the ball itself and we need to learn to protect it better such as by not carrying it in one hand.

It was frustrating that we didn’t capitalise on our dominance in territory and possession. We were extremely disciplined and didn’t give them a sniff. We know how dangerous they are at penalty situations when they kick for the corner and get their driving maul going. It was an odd game which we controlled well throughout and four tries would have been a worthy return.

Fortunately our missed opportunities did not come back and haunt us. I was extremely happy with our phase play and discipline but we just came up short with our final execution, and we need to improve our composure and support play.

I thought Paul Talbot and Giles Barber in the front row were excellent, and Liam Brady did a good job when he came on. Matt Stone’s throwing was good and the back row were their usual effervescent selves with Richard Tredgett carrying well.

Jamie Gibbs should be mentioned for the threat he carries with his lines of running but my man of the match goes to Will Bell who caught well, kicked well and made several clean breaks.”

Horsham’s next game is at home to Folkestone on 28th February who won comfortably at Coolhurst last season.

Horsham: Bell, Mills (Price 47), Gibbs, Ordidge, Fuller; Johnson, Rush; Talbot (capt) (Brady 60), Stone, Barber; Green, Goward (Whiting 51); Tuhakaraina, Thompson, Tredgett