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    • Away vs University

    Round 3

    24th April 2010 - 2:45pm

    Venue : Ilam 1

    Result : 8 - 6

    Match Report

    Brighton came up against a much improved University side at a wet and muddy Ilam fields this week. The weather was always going to play a huge part in the game and it was Varsity who handled the conditions better in the opening period. There was no significant wind advantage but Varsity employed a kicking game using the wet surface to their advantage, whilst Brighton tried to run the ball out of trouble a task made very difficult by the persistant rain.

    After a long spell of possession and good field position Varsity took the lead through a penalty and although Brighton rarely got out of their own half in the first period Varsity never really thretened their line. When Brighton did get any sort of field position loose passing, knock ons and some unusual calls from the referee stopped any momentum that had been gained.

    It was clear at half time that it was going to be a low scoring game and that any chances that presented themselves would need to be taken as they were going to be few and far between. Brighton kicked for position more in the second period and Varsity employed a similare tactic, neither side kicked with much skill which ensured that much of the game was played around half way. However a rare visit into Varsity territory brought a penalty to Brighton who converted to level the score at 3-3.

    It was not long before Varsity had regained the initiative with their second penalty making it 6-3 to the home side with about 25mins left on the clock. After some more aerial ping pong Brighton ventured into Varsity territory and from a line out put some good passages of play together that ended up with the backs combining to score a crucial and well taken try. Jamyn Keats made a half break and linked with David Cattermole who put Ben Murphy into some space, he cleverly drew the full back and put Rob Smith over for what proved to be the only try of the game and one that put Brighton ahead for the first time.

    There was still 15mins to go however and although no sustained pressure was forth coming Varsity got presented with a number of penalties in the last 10mins, some of which would have baffled the most studious rugby fan. Luckily the supposed infringements were a reasonable distance from goal and the attempts fell short, however when the referee again came up with a baffalling decision 25 metres out and just to the right of the posts it looked like Brighton may need to score again and with only 5 mins remaining, luckily the kickers radar was missing and he sliced it onto the post and away to safety.

    The final whistle brought a sigh of relief, not so much due to any applied pressure from the home side but more due to the volatility of the refereeing.

    Its a good side that can win ugly and that was certainly the case for Brighton in this game, the weather was a factor but the boys will need to deal better with it next time the conditions arent ideal.