| RLC Regional Grand Finals |
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In the East, reigning champions NORTHAMPTON DEMONS took on new comers and neighbours BEDFORD TIGERS in a game that had everything except for blazing sunshine. In the South East, GREENWICH ADMIRALS looked to continue their late run of form to keep their hands on the title they won last year by taking on home side and favourites GUILDFORD GIANTS. Meanwhile in the Southern Premier, EASTERN RHINOS were up against it playing the once beaten ST ALBANS CENTURIONS and the winner would take on the winner of the mouth watering HAMMERSMITH HILLS HOIST v WEST LONDON SHARKS contest. East NORTHAMPTON DEMONS 24 BEDFORD TIGERS 16 Northampton were crowned as Eastern Regional Champions for the second year running but were made to work hard by a spirited Tigers. The game started well for the Demons with Ben Jones scoring a four pointer in the corner thanks to crisp hands from scrum half Smith but Fewster was unable to add the extras. Soon afterwards, prop forward Andy Goslett doubled the advantage with a barnstorming run up the middle of the pitch from his own half way line and Feswster made it 10-0 with a successful conversion. More free flowing passing from Northampton through the hands of Smith and Fewster led to second rower Ward scoring a try, Fewster adding the conversion to make it 16-0 after 20 minutes whilst Bedford were yet to complete their first set of six. The Tigers came back into the game through a number of Northampton errors and penalties and dominated the last part of the first half with a repeat set of six tackles drawing their first points of the game. The Demons defence could not cope and the Bedford scored in the corner. With moments remaining in the first half, Northampton were penalised a number of times on their try line and the pressure told when Bedford scored and converted. The start of the second half saw the heavens open on a number of occasions and that certainly had an impact upon the game. Free flowing rugby was sacrificed for retaining the ball and when the Tigers were twice penalised, Demons made them pay with a try by the posts from Fewster which he converted. Despite a man in the sin bin, Bedford conjured a sparkling long range try to make it 22-16 and all to play for with 25 remaining. The Demons then had Davenport red carded for a trip but the Bedford's extra man advantage was somewhat nullified when the rain came down heavier than it had all day. Fewster landed a penalty for the Demons with ten minutes to play to seal the win.
Guildford Giants 14 Greenwich Admirals 20 Guildford kicked off to Southampton and upon receiving possession run the length of the pitch to score. The referee had other ideas and brought them all the way back for a goal line drop out presumably for a knock on. This gave Greenwich field position which they didn't give up in the first 20 minutes. The scoring started in the 9th minute following 3 repeat sets as Greenwich passed wide to Centre Louie Newton who ran round the defence and scored in the left corner. No conversion was added for a 4 – 0 scoreline. They came hard again in the next set and got the ball wide to Angelo Thomas who pressed on the gas down the wing and scored under the posts. Chris Williams converted for a 10 – 0 lead. Greenwich continued to press and added a Penalty on 20 minutes to extend the lead. They were nearly in again on 27 minutes as Liam Johnson went over the line only to knock the ball on. Guildford were getting back into the match and Mark Cochrane made a clean break but the referee ruled that Matt Manning's pass was forward. A couple of minutes later Guildford did score from the base of a scrum. Matt Smith got the ball and made the break running 50 metres to score. Adam Cox failed to add the conversion and this is where it ended at half time, 12 – 4 Greenwich. Ian Batty opened the scoring in the second half as Guildford started strongly. Off the back of a penalty on the line Ian Batty received a short pass and twisted out of the defenders grasp to touch down. Ross Brooker converted, 12 – 10 to Greenwich. The strong defence in the middle continued but it was broken by the Greenwich attack on 54 minutes who got it out to speedster Angelo Thomas to score his second as the heavens opened. Again the ball was brought under the posts to allow for an easy conversion through Chris Williams, 18 – 10. Guildford tried to hit back, as the deluge left puddles on the pitch, with Chris Mathers knocking on under pressure in the right corner while putting the ball down. Guildford were given a golden chance as Greenwich Stand Off Anthony Johnson was sent off for punching with 15 minutes to go this could've been the turning point. Guildford made the most of it scoring soon after through Sam Fletcher who powered over near the corner. Ross Brooker missed the conversion leaving a 4 point gap 14 – 18. Both sides tried and had chances to score but Greenwich had the last laugh getting a penalty for offside close to the line which Chris Williams slotted over giving a 20 – 14 advantage. Despite a late charge by Guildford, Greenwich held out to seal the Grand Final. RLC Southern Premier ST ALBANS CENTURIONS 60 EASTERN RHINOS 6 Eastern Rhinos had the perfect start but were overwhelmed by the runaway Saints who posted 12 tries. Centurions were caught cold when from the kick off Nick Woolley knocked on from the scrum. A kick through by Pete Lemarquand saw the bounce beat the Saints defence for Brendan Cook to fall on the loose ball. But the hosts came roaring back in the 10th minute when Adam Kambouris scored out wide after the Rhinos had giving away two penalties in succession. From the kick off, Rhinos were again penalised and from the tap the Saints forwards drove through the middle and on the fifth tackle, Shane Rampling sent out a terrific pass for centre Aaron Brown to score, David Kramer converting. Centurions’ pack was now in command and the Rhinos had no answer to their strong running. Early in a set, Adam Kal kicked over the defence and he re-gathered and put winger Nick Woolley in at the corner, Kramer goaling. The full back then went straight through the Rhinos defence to score a 60 metre try which he converted. Just before the half time whistle David Coyle ran onto a flat ball and out paced the Rhinos defence to score. The second half was dominated by the Saints and second rower Kambouris opened the scoring as he did in the first half with a try. From the kick off, prop Roy Dube made 30 metres with giant thrust leading to Ollie Fountain going over in the corner. Next on the score sheet was Mike Hollister who was on hand to receive a pass from Rampling after he had kick through a tired defence and collected. Saints centre Aaron Brown went on the blind side and in a one-on-one tackle had the ball ripped from his grasps but was the quickest to react when the loose ball went over the try line. With 10 minutes left, winger Fountain ran in two tries to complete his hat trick and a goal from Kambouris added a goal.
These two teams have built up a decent rivalry this year. The new boys Hammersmith took early spoils in the season with a victory over the Sharks in the pre-season London 9's event. A draw in their first ever league encounter followed with a resonding win for the Sharks in the return leg fixture later in the season against a depleted Hammersmith outfit. The Sharks were playing away from home as Hammersmith overtook the Sharks in the final weeks to claim second. An enthralling encounter saw the visitors through and are determined to retain their grip on the Harry Jepson Trophy which they have won the past two seasons in arguably their best display of the campaign. Destiny awaits in St Albans who have been the form team in the league this season losing once to Hammersmith. St Albans will want to repeat it's league win three seasons ago at the Stoop. Kick off is at 2.30pm. |
The RLC Regional Grand Finals took place last weekend and both the East and South East regions fixtures proved to be the best of the round whilst the top four from the Southern Premier fought it out for places in this weekend's Grand Final.
