RLCP South London Storm 50 Hainault Bulldogs 42 (From Staines Guardian)

RLCP South London Storm 50 Hainault Bulldogs 42

10:21am Monday 12th July 2010

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Four tries in the last 15 minutes saw South London Storm battle back from a 28-42 deficit to stun Hainault Bulldogs in an end to end encounter at a scorching hot Poulter Park.

Storm started off brightly and forced a Bulldogs error from the kick off through a crunching hit from Ewen Drummond.

They were unable to take advantage though and after four minutes the indiscipline that has haunted their season so far was again in evidence. The home team conceeded three consecutive penalties to piggy bank the Bulldogs up the pitch. The visitors took advantage through an Elric Newby try.

Storm were level within three minutes through a Pete Maddigan try. The decision to run the ball on the last tackle was vindicated as Owain Rhodda released Maddigan to score under the posts. McCarthy added the extras to tie the game up at six all.

Lee McLaren quickly put Hainault ahead again after Storm were penalised for ball stealing. He was able to wriggle over from dummy half.

Storm regained possession from the kick off and a great run from winger Aaron Brown got them to within two metres of the tryline. A quick play the ball set up Chris Beaven to cross under the posts. McCarthy converted for a 12-10 lead.

The twenty minute mark saw Brown grab the first off his four try haul. His pace was a threat all day and having been set up by Maddigan he outpaced the cover on a fifty metre dash to the tryline. McCarthys goal made it 18-10.

Five minutes later an idenrtical move pushed Storm 24-10 ahead as Brown and McCarthy added to the tally.

Hainault are a much improved team this season though and two tries in six minutes pulled then back to 24-20. Just on half time Jim Berry was set free by Rhodda to give Storm a 28-20 lead at the interval.

The second half saw two totally different quarters. Hainault dominated the first twenty minutes as Storm conceeded penalty after penalty. The Bulldogs took full advantage and crossed for four tries to take a seemingly comfortable 28-42 lead.

The storm comeback started on the sixty five minute mark as Maddigan again found Aaron Brown who again showed his speed to dash in from half way. A ten point Bulldogs lead became four on sixty eight minutes as Mike Benson showed great skill and strength to get over the line. McCarthy converted.

With seven minutes left on the clock Maddigan turned try scorer as he breezed through a tiring Hainault defence. McCarthy converted to edge Storm 44-42 ahead.

The comeback was completed five minutes from time when Brown completed his four try haul. McCarthy goaled and Storm kept their play off chase alive with a 50-42 win Gamebreaker - pete Maddigan scored with seven minutes to go to pull Storm level in a game that had looked beyond them with fifteen minutes left.

Storm man of the match - four try Aaron Brown was the difference between winning and losing Bulldogs man of the match - prop Byron Maddon was strong all game in defence and attack.

Earlier Storm 'A' went down to a heavy 72-4 defeat at home to Elmbridge Eagles. Saner Hasan scored their only try in the second half. Despite the heavy loss Terry White, Dave Barrett and Tony Curmi all impressed for Storm

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