South of England's late show stuns Scotland Bravehearts

• South of England overturn 12-point deficit in the closing stages
• Converted Ben McGuinness try a minute from time breaks Scottish hearts

 

The South of England Men’s Team produced a stunning late comeback to pip Scotland Bravehearts 28-34 in the first ever fixture between the two sides.

In a historic game played as a curtain-raiser for the Celtic Cup clash between Scotland and Ireland, the South of England scored three converted tries in the final 10 minutes to edge out their hosts in a thriller at sun-soaked Hawick RFC in the beautiful Scottish borders.

Trailing by 12 points with less than 10 minutes remaining, the South of England turned on the style to overpower their hosts. Quick-fire tries from Dylan Stone and Alex Deery, both converted by scrum half Luke Drummond, set up a barnstorming final few minutes, before second-rower Ben McGuiness sent English hearts soaring with a last-gasp match-winning try.

It was a triumphant conclusion to a hard-fought game where momentum swung back and forth throughout the contest. Both sides scored six tries each, with the on-point goal kicking of South of England’s Luke Drummond ultimately proving decisive. The Elmbridge Eagles man slotted over five of his conversion attempts, with his opposite number Jason Lee (Wests Warriors) only converting two.

It was the South of England who started the stronger of the two sides. After enjoying the better of the opening exchanges, the South forced a goal-line drop out. Following a stoppage for a Scotland injury, the South of England applied the pressure before working the ball wide to left centre Ben Telfer, whose superb one-handed offload provided an easy finish for Bedford Tigers winger Callum Dockerill. Drummond was unable to convert.

Scotland quickly recomposed themselves and set about trying to apply some pressure of their own. After winning consecutive sets of six deep in South of England territory, the Bravehearts sent up a left-to-right cross-field kick. It was Scotland who reacted quickest to the bouncing ball, with evergreen 41-year-old centre David Anderson able to force his way over in the right corner. Jason Lee’s conversion attempt hit the crossbar and went over, edging the home side 6-4 ahead.

Eight minutes later, the South of England regained the lead. Following a penalty on the halfway line, hooker Doug Chirnside broke through the defensive line. He found London Chargers teammate Charlie Whittington in support, with the prop forward sprinting away to touch down underneath the posts. This time, Drummond was able to add the extras.

One more, Scotland worked their way back into the game. They thought they’d levelled the scores on 32 minutes, only for the score to be chalked off for a forward pass. Four minutes later, they once more worked the ball wide to the left-hand side and founder winger Declan Smith. He raced down the wing before cutting back inside and diving over. With Lee unable to add the conversion, the scores were tied at 10-apiece with just three minutes of the first half remaining.

With the referee indicating time was almost up for the half, the South won a scrum in centre field, 40 metres from the Scotland line. The ball was quickly passed right to North Herts Crusaders winger David Bofenda, who raced away from the Bravehearts covering defenders and touched down. Luke Drummond’s successful conversion took the South into the break six points ahead.

As expected, Scotland came out for the second half with the bit between their teeth. Earning consecutive sets in which to put their English opponents under pressure, they probed the South line before hooker Duncan Jordan – known to many in the South team due to his stint at Elmbridge Eagles – managed to burrow over from close range on 44 minutes. Lee added the extras, levelling the scores once more.

11 minutes later, the home side went into the lead when centre Aaron Graham bounced off some attempted tackles before crashing over on the right-hand side. Jason Lee’s attempted conversion drifted wide.

With just under 20 minutes remaining, South of England centre Leon Atherton was sent to the sin-bin for a high challenge. Scotland made their numerical advantage count, crossing the whitewash twice to extend their lead to 12 points.

First, winger Declan Smith grabbed his second of the afternoon following a speedy left-to-right passing move, before Aaron Graham strolled over following more quick passes to notch up his second try of the afternoon. Jason Lee was unable to convert either score, but with less than 10 minutes remaining the Bravehearts were two converted tries ahead – a lead that in many circumstances would be more than enough.

Desperate to find a way back into the game, the South of England managed to force an error from the first play after the kick off. In the resulting set, the ball was thrown wide left and found Telford Raiders winger Dylan Stone, who crashed over for a try calmly converted by Drummond.

Straight from the resultant Scotland kick-off, All Golds Leon Atherton – back on the pitch following the culmination of his ten-minute sin bin – broke through before being hauled down 40 metres away from the Scotland line. Wests Warriors prop Dom Stock then made further ground before finding North Herts Crusaders stand-off Alex Deery in support. He scampered away to touch down under the posts, with Drummond adding the extras. Deery was later named Man of the Match for his eye-catching performance and considerable contributions.

Less than two minutes remained, so thoughts began drifting to possible drop goal opportunities. Instead, skipper Doug Chirnside once again broke through the Bravehearts line. On the next play, the ball was shipped right to Brixton Bulls second-rower Ben McGuinness, who dived over for the match-winning score. Drummond’s fifth successful conversion of the afternoon added further security for the visitors.

There was still time for more drama, though. Seeking a late equalising try in the 60 seconds remaining, Scotland were able to win themselves a scrum. With effectively one play of the game remaining, the Bravehearts threw the ball to winger Declan Smith. He was brought down metres from the line, with his attempted off-load deemed a knock-on. It was a breathless end to a thrilling encounter.

Speaking after the game, South of England Head Coach Jamie Jones said: “We thank Scotland Rugby League for their hospitality and a very close, hard-fought game. It was a great venue and a fantastic experience – travelling, rooming and training together has brought our squad closer together and helped create a very professional environment, which many of our players have now tasted for the first time. We’re excited for a re-match with Scotland Bravehearts next year. Attention now focuses to preparing for our next game against Wales ‘’A’ in two weeks time.”

The South of England squad returns to training this weekend, before heading to Merthyr to take on Wales ‘A’ on Saturday 31st October.

 

MATCH FACTS

SCOTLAND BRAVEHEARTS 28

T: David Anderson (17 mins), Declan Smith 2 (36, 65), Jordan Duncan (44), Aaron Graham 2 (55, 70)

G: Jason Lee 2 (from 6)

 

SOUTH OF ENGLAND LIONHEARTS 34

T: Callum Dockerill (5 mins), Charlie Whittington (24), David Bofenda (40), Dylan Stone (72), Alex Deery (76) Ben McGuinness (79)

G: Luke Drummond 5 (from 6)

Sin-bin: Leon Atherton (61 mins – high tackle)

 

Half-time: 10-16

Referee: Robbie Nevinson

 

Player of the Match Awards

Scotland Bravehearts: Terry Logan

South of England: Alex Deery

 

TEAMS

Scotland Bravehearts

1.? ?Sam Fellows

2.? ?Declan Smith

3.? ?Aaron Graham

4.? ?David Anderson

5.? ?Josh Morrison

6.? ?JP Redmond

7.? ?Jason Lee

8.? ?Jamie Roberts

9.? ?Jordan Duncan (c)

10.? ?Spencer Syme-Nicholson

11.? ?Ethan Deakin

12.? ?Ally Cessford

13.? ?Kris Illingworth

Interchange

17.? ?Terry Logan

18.? ??Kris Hendrie

 

South of England

1. Eddie Atherton (North Herts Crusaders)

2. David Bofenda (North Herts Crusaders)

3. Leon Atherton (All Golds)

4. Ben Telfer (Brixton Bulls)

5. Callum Dockerill (Bedford Tigers)

6. Alex Deery (North Herts Crusaders)

7. Luke Drummond (Elmbridge Eagles)

8. Max Nissinen-Li (Bedford Tigers)

9. Doug Chirnside (Captain, London Chargers)

10. Dom Stock (Wests Warriors)

11. Finlay Holt (Sherwood Wolfhunt)

12. Ben McGuinness (Brixton Bulls)

13. Coryn Ward (Nottingham Outlaws).

Interchange:

14. Sean Belbin (Elmbridge Eagles)

15. Dylan Stone (Telford Raiders)

17.  Charlie Whittington (London Chargers)

19. Ben Foskett (Telford Raiders)

18. Mason O’Neil (Medway Dragons)

20. Will Armour (London Chargers)

 

By Matt Anniss

Photo Credit: RLF Photography