A game of two halves, as the cliche goes, but the margin of victory against a strong Bromley side represents impressive work by the Mighty Acorns Champions of Kent! In the Kent Cup no less...and just for emphasis, featuring the defending Champions of Kent, the Mighty Acorns.
Receiving Bromley’s kick off, the MACKs launched their uphill offensive and spent the first 10 minutes pressing in the oppo’s half. However, good commitment from the home side was eventually rewarded with possession and it was they that ran in the first converted try.
The MACKs regrouped, completing several phases before Will Morris at outside centre held both line and pass beautifully before transferring to Del McCrone. Del fed Simon Wright on the right wing who came off his right foot and did the right thing to score just to the right of the posts - rightly considering his conversion kicker, as ever. Paul Eversfield was ever so grateful and, ever reliable, slotted the 2 extra points. Everything even at 7-7.
From the restart, the MACKs toiled back up the hill and after several hotly contested phases secured a penalty which Eversfield converted. 7-10.
Bromley scored 2 further good tries before half time, including an excellent return from their fullback who ran out of his half and round most of the Sevenoaks team. The slope became increasingly influential as the half progressed but the MACKs kept at it and got their just deserts when Tommy Kelly seized the opportunity to pick up from a ruck and drive over for the 5 pointer. At half time, Bromley were a nose ahead at 17-15.
With the slope in their favour after the turnaround, the MACKs increased the velocity, scoring 3 unanswered tries.
For the first, a number of overlaps were overlooked before possession was eventually worked to James Garcia, who blasted everything in front of him for 5 points.
The second saw the ever-alert Dale Smith feed the ever-eager Tommy Kelly for another bullocking try. Andy Forrester stepped up and slotted a wonderfully unique spiraling conversion kick to put the score at 17-27.
For the final try, the MACKs recognised that overlaps are a good thing after all and that Garcy is a scary prospect to any number of would-be tacklers. “All hands” was the call and the enigmatic wrecking ball did the rest! Dale stepped up and, seeing the kicking tee carrier was breathing hard, took the energy-efficient option and drop kicked the conversion to bring the proceedings to a close at 17-34.
Every player in the MACKs deserves a mention but won’t get it because that would be ridiculous. However, I would like to welcome former 1st XV captain, Tim Golds, into the senior fold (great start Tim) and to formerly acknowledge our Man of the Match, 'Stormin’ Bart Peterkin. There’s a few Bromley bruises that will take a while in the healing!
Our next outing is also our last Kent Cup pool fixture and not until 22nd January (away at Beccahamians) so, without wishing to be premature (sometimes it’s best to get things done early), a Happy MACKs Christmas to all and here’s to cranking things up even further in 2017!
C’mon you Mighty Acorns Champions Of Kent!!!