fordingbridge v bedouins

Some time had passed since the Bedouins had celebrated their last victory against Ellingham. Their camels were almost turned around as Poole IIs folded the fixtured game, but the smell of the cool waters of Fordingbridge and an offer of a game, had gathered the brethren together. After a perfect few days of light rain the autumn sun was shining on match day, and the Hampshire farmers welcomed the sand-dwellers to an immaculate pitch. The surface showed no sign of having been played on at all, which proved entirely appropriate for the spectacle that was about to unfold.

Fordingbridge , like the Bedouins, had found themselves without a planned fixture and gamely offered up a friendly for this Saturday. It was their only game and they brought a good blend of 1sts and 2nds and as a result, and a decent crowd to look on. This enthusiasm translated well into the first 10 minutes, where Fordingbridge broke twice in numbers through the Bournemouth left side – Bedouins fullback Mark Forsyth being the first to awake to the challenge, smashing a Fordingbridge back on each attack only to be outnumbered by the support. In their excitement Fordingbridge failed to convert either try leaving them only 10 points ahead. And so the beers and cheers began to flow with the local crowd, but the Bedouins exchanged looks and words and the desert drums began to rumble – the long months of training were about to be unleashed on the unsuspecting carrot crackers.

The Bedouins settled into a relentless pattern of strong forward play led by Henry Turner but backed by the whole pack with and without the ball. The ever versatile team player Millsy, worked tirelessly at hooker but found the inspiration from his past at 9 and 10 for a sumptuous cross-field kick that sailed with a bounce into the arms of the sprightly Gareth Hicks playing at centre. With good support Hicks side stepped brilliantly and touched down near the posts, and took responsibility for the conversion which took Bournemouth to only a 10-7 deficit. The Bedouins had awakened.

Again the Bournemouth forwards put in phase after phase of strong carrying, gaining vital territory as a shocked Fordingbridge tried to re-establish authority. Having had success with the backs in the first 10 minutes their assumption was that this would yield success again. The Bedouins backs took this moment to shut the door, however – the left side holding strong. As Fordingbridge tried the other side their young centre, who had been involved in both of the first two trys, was to be hit so hard by Mark Forsyth and Laner in tandem that he let out a mildly disturbing squeal, and spilled the ball immediately for the turnover. From this moment it would appear that Fordingbridge were looking at eachother to find a way between a rock in the forwards and a hard place in the backs.

The Bedouins forwards, inspired by Tom Mowlem, drove on and on into Fordingbridge and backed this up with fierce scrums. It was to prove the base for a second Bmth try. Matt Coxon started move after move as part of a peerless performance at 9. The backs, again, with efficiency and smooth handling from months on the training field built another attack on the right. Yann conducted play in words and action and Hicks broke again down the right with a brilliant dummy followed by offload to Luke Haine, who skipped in his try with aplomb. Max took kicking duties and again Bournemouth converted, leaving the visiting team ahead 14-10.

Before half time Bedouins were in full flow and unstoppable – the hosts stunned and struggling for fitness against what had appeared on paper as an older team but was proving to be running on batteries fuelled by seemingly endless 2 hour sessions at Bmth electric and HQ. The last try of the first half was to come from a smooth through the hands movement across a deep bmth back line across the right. Max at outside centre drew his opposite number in and offloaded to Laner switching inside from the right wing, who managed to avoid the remaining defenders and touch down over the line. The angle left by the silver fox proved too challenging for the conversion but the Bedouins earned a penalty slotted away by Max, leaving them with what turned out to be a precious 22-10 lead.

It is the way of the Bedouins to do well in the first half of games against other clubs, and to find the opposition stunned and adding all available higher tier players if resources are available. This game was to be no exception. In the second half the Bedouins moved into a mode which is perhaps the hallmark of the side. The second half can’t be easily summed up by reference to individual players. The 40 minutes that followed included the kind out outstanding forwards performance and defensive commitment that seems to be the very DNA of the 4orce in these situations. By way of our identity it is without doubt that captain Kenny Woodhead summed up the total offensive and defensive never say die and lead from the front.

Yet to pick just some moments Simon Pell led scraps with ball in hand on the floor, using his combat skills to provide an appropriate response to ‘afters’ that raised a glass from the opposition in the bar afterwards . Bonz left the field after a phenomenal and highly aggressive shift but only after a hamstring fail that left him in a chair for the after match photos. Mark Parry – an engine in scrum and carry – played on to the end with a knee which doubled its size during the game. Nathan capped a lively performance with hits and carrying. Jimmy O’Neill welcome to the dark side you were awesome and are now the proud owner of a tea towel Bedouins shisha smoking keffiyeh. Our scrummaging in the last quarter was simply immense – full of guile and the final scrum won convincingly against the head to set up the kick to touch from Matt just about summing up an immense pack performance. The Bedouins had gone into the game lightest in terms of forwards and the game concluded with 6 players having played 8 throughout the game. While it had served as a beautiful demonstration of forwards doing their thing and backs getting the points, the backs lifted their safari hats to the forwards for a monumental 80 minute shift to a man.

Henry Turner was nominated man of the match by the opposition – the highest praise after an phenomenal shift only outdone by his penguin onesie at the clue social – Henry you are now a Bedouin brother welcome back anytime to smoke pike or play, or both. James Mills, having been out since the Bmth 7s with a hip injury, likely carries the highest team respect for having agreed merely to replacement front row. Without complaint or question he then delivered 80 minutes and line out throwing responsibilities with a smile (though that might be related to the kick?)

Fordingbridge were brilliant and gracious hosts, in spite of cold showers fed directly from under their famous river bridge, and we thank them for a great game, food and drinks afterwards. Fixtures permitting, we hope to welcome them to HQ later in the season and expect another cracking game.