Another strong display from the Brigands on Saturday saw them put 50 points on an organised Edenbridge side to remain top of Kent 5 with three wins in three. Outside centre Alex Omeyer stole the show with four tries, although his centre partner Dafydd Lloyd just got his nose in front for the man of the match award with some powerful carrying in midfield. Though the Edenbridge pack was solid, the home side’s discipline was patchy around the ruck and the offside line, and around the park the Club regularly seemed to find space and capitalise.
The Club opened the scoring after five minutes as fly-half Nathan Brindle broke the line after a scrum and put wing Rory Macleod into enough space on the right touchline to break away and dot the ball down. There was little release in pressure for the home side over the next ten minutes or so as the Brigs dominated possession and territory, and a lineout close to the Edenbridge tryline was gathered and mauled over for a Conor Mitchell try. Edenbridge declined to compete at the maul thereafter. Omeyer’s first try came in quick order, as skipper and fullback Kai Roper-Blackman broke into the Edenbridge half directly following the restart, and although the Club were turned over after a couple of phases, the clearance kick was ragged and only served to set up another Roper-Blackman break. With field position, hands down the line (including a beautiful, floated pass from hooker Oli Smith) found Omeyer who ran clear of the last defender. The penalty count mounted against the locals and with little to no possession or territory, Edenbridge conceded another try minutes later, second row Andrew Lock crossing the whitewash from close range. The home side seemed unable to stop the Club from breaking back into their territory, and when Lloyd carried back into the Edenbridge half after the restart a few sharp phases gave enough space for Omeyer to shrug off a couple of defenders on his way to his second try.Thereafter Edenbridge enjoyed a few passages of possession and looked threatening when their scrum-half broke through the fringe of the ruck. The Brigs cleared their lines on that occasion, but a few minutes later were caught a little narrow and the Edenbridge fullback and right wing were able to get round the Club defence and score a deserved try on the stroke of half time.
The second half was scrappier as the wind picked up and made handling a challenge, but a buoyed Edenbridge started the period brightly, physically and competitively. The Brigands proved a little more adept at putting phases together, however, and Edenbridge discipline at the ruck wobbled again. Brindle looked like he might dance through the entire home team at one point and with the tryline seemingly begging, the Brigands were frustrated to have play called back for an injury to an Edenbridge player which seemed somewhat superficial. At the ensuing scrum though, the Club pack finally gained some dominance and with penalty advantage the ball was spun out to Omeyer who barrelled through for his third score. His fourth came soon after, as a hacked kick through from Macleod which was well chased down resulted in a short-range penalty for the Brigs. Although the initial tap and crash was stopped short, the home defence had bitten into the point where the ball could be sent out in to space and Omeyer was found willing once again. Though Edenbridge stayed competitive in many aspects of the game, maintaining possession and taking chances were always difficult against an aggressive Club defence and an attack which was structured and patient when necessary, but incisive when opportunities came. One final chance did come before the end, after wing Juvé Iragaba was stopped inches away from the line following another Lloyd break, then stopped short again with an attempted superman-dive, the ball was lifted to prop Ollie Acton who drove, spun and stretched to score the Club’s eighth and final try. Brindle finished the day with five conversions, which was remarkable in the conditions, leaving the final score at 7-50.
The Brigs next game is away at local rivals Old Elthamians’ IIs on Saturday 11 October. All support is welcome for what will be an important game for two likely league contenders.
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