Poor opening proves costly

Despite a brave effort, The Castaways failed to recover from a dismal opening at Greenwich on Saturday. Faversham were optimistic of starting their Shepherd Neame Kent 2 season with a win but found themselves 12- 0 after just five minutes. A poor tackle from Egleton enabled Greenwich’s fullback to step inside to open the scoring before, just 60 seconds later, Faversham found themselves on the back foot again. The hosts were allowed too much space on the open side following strong carries and ran in under the posts to make it 12- 0. This seemed to wake Faversham up, however, poor communication and decision making saw the visitors waste plenty of possession and territory throughout the first half, which would also continue in the second. But they did manage to get on the scoresheet two minutes before the break after another strong carry from captain Mcdermott gave Tabor quick ball. Buteel and Egleton then released Hodges who stepped inside Greenwich’s winger, crashing through two tackles to score, with Gadilhe converting. Faversham continued to squander opportunities after the break, before Greenwich scored a controversial third try with 20 minutes remaining. An Egleton chip was charged down and, despite the ball appearing to bounce well in touch, Greenwich ran in unopposed to take a 19-7 lead. Sloppy handling was costing Faversham hugely in the second half, despite this, second row Connor Harmsworth put in an outstanding performance, especially in the lineout, where he won all of his own ball, along with all but three of the opposition’s ball. A steal from Harmsworth led to Faversham’s second try where a good driving maul resulted in captain Mcdermott crossing the line. A penalty kick moved Greenwich 22-12 ahead and, despite an onslaught from Faversham, the hosts held firm before striking on the counter-attack to score a bonus-point try and seal the win. Faversham host Snowdown on Saturday. Faversham: Lehane, Chipperton, Mcdermott, Harmsworth, Moon, Fiddler, Harrison, Oatley, Tabor, Buteel, Egleton, Hodges, Henry, Woolf, Gadilhe. Subs: Meadows, Scamp, Williams. National League 2 South

PW D L F A Ps Cinderford....... 4 4 0 0 215 60 20 Taunton Ts ..... 4 4 0 0 183 61 20 Chinnor ........... 4 3 1 0 142 82 18 Redruth .......... 4 3 0 1 126 73 15 Canterbury ...... 4 3 0 1 128 94 15 T’bridge Judd . 4 3 0 1 118 81 13 B St Edmunds . 4 3 0 1 104 110 13 R’gensians ...... 4 2 0 2 122 110 11 Worthing ......... 4 2 0 2 107 97 11 Barnstaple ...... 4 2 0 2 89 128 10 Clifton ............. 4 1 1 2 78 137 6 Henley ............ 4 1 0 3 79 173 5 London Irish .... 4 0 0 4 83 143 2 Broadstreet ..... 4 0 0 4 76 137 2 Wimbledon ..... 4 0 0 4 70 130 1 Old Redcliffs ... 4 0 0 4 64 168 1 Results: Chinnor 36 Redingensians 14, Cinderford 29 London Irish Wild Geese 21, Old Redcliffians 24 Canterbury 34, Tonbridge Juddian 20 Henley 14, Wimbledon 27 Taunton Titans 42, Barnstaple 24 Bury St Edmunds 39, Broadstreet 32 Clifton 35, Redruth 20 Worthing 19. Fixtures: Bury St Edmunds v Wimbledon, Canterbury v Barnstaple, Clifton v Old Redcliffians, Henley v Broadstreet, Redingensians v Cinderford, Taunton Titans v Redruth, Worthing v Chinnor, Tonbridge Juddian v London Irish Wild Geese.

Shepherd Neame Kent 2 Results: Bexley 17 Whitstable 38, Brockleians 39 Dartford Valley 3, Greenwich 29 Faversham 12, Lordswood 48 Askean 0, Snowdown CW 0 Foots Cray 29. Fixtures: Askean v Greenwich, Brockleians v Lordswood, Dartford Valley v Whitstable, Faversham v Snowdown CW, Foots Cray v Bexley.