On a warm and sunny spring day we entertained Fareham Heathens at the Rec for the last home and penultimate league game of the season
In front of a large crowd we were looking to take advantage of the conditions to play our fast, expansive style of rugby and overturn the earlier loss in the season. The conditions on that day were the total opposite with strong winds and rain which favoured the heavier Fareham pack.
After an even start we broke the stalemate with a James Hirst try showing his pace to score in the corner. This was to be the first of a hattrick for the afternoon for the young ‘Bridge right wing. As expected, our back line were to dominate and soon after our more mature and experienced left winger, Dan Brown, touched down. Mat Norton converted from the corner.
As the half drew to a close we scored our third through a fine solo effort from Jamie Waters, the only ‘Bridge forward to score in the match. The try was converted, and we were nineteen nil up and in command of the game.
Fareham were in no mood at this point to let the game slip and after a period in our twenty two, scored their only try of the afternoon. Despite further pressure from the visitors, our defence held until James Hirst again showed his blistering pace to break out of defence and score in the corner. Mat Norton continued his great form with the boot adding the extras. James completed his hattrick a few moments later with an almost identical try. With the score now at thirty three points to five the game was won as our forwards had the measure of the Fareham pack and our backs were in full flow.
Ben Broderick was the next to exploit a gap in the visitor’s defence from the half way line to touch down under the posts and the score was adding up. Next to complete a long dash from our twenty two to the line was Mat Norton who converted his try and at forty seven points to five the crowd were enjoying a fine game of rugby. With the forwards providing a stable platform for the backs to work from it was the age old rugby story of the forwards doing all the hard work whilst the backs claimed all of the glory!
Dan Brown and Mat Norton both scored their second tries of the day to round out what was a superb game of rugby with the score finishing at fifty nine points to five. Whilst it was a substantial loss for Fareham the score belies the evenness and quality of the match from both teams.
With Millbrook losing to Basingstoke, we regain fourth place in the table with an away match next week against Eastleigh to finish our season. James Hirst received Man of the Match and dutifully supplied a jug of ale for his first hattrick for the senior side.