11:56am Friday 12th March 2010
Clee Hill 48 pts Bromyard 0
CLEE Hill kept up their push for the Midlands 5 West (South West) title with an eight-try demolition of their Herefordshire neighbours.
Bromyard conceded four tries in each half and paid a heavy price, particularly in the first period, for some weak tackling.
Not even a pair of rugby socks once worn by the New Zealand All Blacks could inspire a second-half comeback for lowly Bromyard.
Bromyard’s veteran director of rugby, Nigel Pearson, joined the fray at the beginning of the second period wearing the All Blacks socks he was given 23 years ago.
The hooker collected the memento after representing the Asian Barbarians against the mighty All Blacks in Hong Kong in 1987.
On that occasion the All Blacks stormed to a 94-3 success and, on Saturday night, Pearson was left to reflect on another defeat – this time to a strong Clee Hill side.
Joint-second Hill took a third-minute lead when full-back Andrew Horsfall crashed over for an unconverted try in the left-hand-corner.
Bromyard showed some promise in the early stages with fly-half Roger Dixon making a couple of breaks and Scott Holloway putting in strong tackles.
But Hill demonstrated their potency in the loose when Andrew Broome dived over for their second touchdown in the 22nd minute.
Forward Matt Bowen broke through a couple of tackles to score Hill’s third try and Craig Breakwell added the conversion to put Hill 17-0 in front.
Centre Breakwell missed a 30-metre penalty after Bromyard were guilty of a high tackle but he struck a decisive blow for Hill on the stroke of half time.
Breakwell picked up a loose ball to dart over underneath the posts and he also slotted the simple conversion to give the hosts a healthy 24-0 half-time advantage.
Bromyard could perhaps count themselves a bit unfortunate to be trailing by such a large margin at the interval.
But Hill dominated possession and territory after the break and, with some neat passing and strong running, they stretched the Bromyard defence. Replacement scrum-half Paul Brick added width to Hill’s display.
Winger Charlie Evans crossed for a converted try in the 46th minute and fly-half Toby Higginson bagged Hill’s sixth touchdown eight minutes later.
Bromyard defended bravely as Hill piled on the pressure. But Andrew Edwards dived over the line after a well-executed lineout move with 14 minutes remaining.
Higginson completed an excellent display from the hosts when he surged through to score his second try of the afternoon and Breakwell landed the extras.
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