Ice cool Rogerson wins last gasp thriller for Bedians

Old Bedians beat Thornton Cleveleys with a last minute penalty in an exciting game in which the lead changed hands twice in the last two minutes.

Bedians were leading 14 – 12 with two minutes to play when Thornton, who were hammering the Bedians try line, slotted a drop goal to take the score to 15 – 14 to Thornton. Bedians never say die spirit showed through however, as the referee signalled one minute remained, Jonny Swift took a quick kick off, well chased down by wing Brian Cheese who caught the Thornton full back in possession on his own try line and forced him out into touch. From the resulting line out Bedians caught and drove the ball only for Thornton to give a penalty away for handling the ball on the floor.

With the referee announcing this would be the last kick of the game, up stepped man of the match scrum half and stand in captain Ben Rogerson who coolly slotted the winning penalty. Prior to that tries either side of half time from the excellent Liam Connolly at full back (scoring his third in as many games) and Cheese, both converted by Rogerson, had given Bedians the lead. Thornton’s first twelve points had all come from penalties.

It was very much a game of two halves however, as Bedians waited until late in the first half to register their first points. Until then, Thornton had enjoyed the majority of possession, but while Bedians stout defence held firm, they were only able to score from penalty kicks, scoring two in the first twenty minutes and another before half time.

Bedians turned around 7-9 down at half time after a well worked try from Connolly showed the mix of pace and power that makes him such a threat. The forward pack had been struggling to impose itself and retain possession.

Stern words at half time seemed to change things, as the pack began to impose itself on the opposition, with the returning Dan Mollitt (standing in for captain Steve Bannell at hooker), Ben Dawson and Rich Thompson excellent in the loose. Thornton couldn’t live with Bedians simple but effective driving game, and before long Brian Cheese had added a second try after a breakaway move in the backs caught Thornton napping.

Thornton hit back with another penalty, meaning Bedians could never relax and leading to the thrilling final five minutes.

Bedians will be pleased to avenge their defeat to Thornton in the cup three weeks ago, and the return league fixture looks certain to be a cracker.