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CLAPTON MAKE CHELMSFORD LOOK WAY OFF THE PACE! EUCRFC 47 V 7 CHELMSFORD
Danny Elmer18 Feb 2019 - 14:03
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SUPERB TEAM PERFORMANCE GREAT CROWD SUPPORT
CLAPTON MAKE CHELMSFORD LOOK WAY OFF THE PACE!
EUCRFC 47 V 7 CHELMSFORD
Although prior to this contest Clapton enjoyed a commanding lead in London Essex 3, there was still an air of apprehension at the home of the Thornwood based club as Chelmsford came to play. After all it was 1st. v 2nd; Chelmsford had been responsible for Clapton’s only loss in this campaign and their opening efforts suggested they had come to compete! EUCRFC were fielding a young team which required them to look more at the pace aspect of their game rather than the power that had been the foundation of many a victory to this point in the season.
After the first quarter, there may still have been some nagging doubts as Chelmsford had enjoyed the majority of play and position. However it was evident when Clapton had the opportunity to move the ball, they had great success. Young guns such as Reece Reed, Georges’ Cook and Douglas, Dom Merrett, Dan Jones along with their wilier colleagues were starting to gain ground; especially as the forwards were starting to dominate the breakdowns and loose play regularly forcing Chelmsford into errors and penalties. The forwards were to provide a solid and plentiful platform for possession.
Eventually after 23 minutes the defence was broken. Reed had probed from a penalty and then from a follow up scrum he had put Jones in to space to jink his way over. Sadly he was to injure his leg in the process and was to make no more meaningful contribution to the game. The experienced Russ Hume joined the fray for his debut and added a new and exciting dimension to Clapton’s play. Reed took over the full back and kicking duties and enjoyed acres of space for his incisive running style. In so doing he set a fine example to his colleagues who followed suit. Clapton having breeched the dam added a further 2 tries in the first half through Furlong from a line out drive and then George Cook put George Douglas in space to cross the try line after a rapid thrust up the touchline. Reed converted both whilst Chelmsford had conjured up their own score as their full back Scott bounced off 3 defenders in completing a fine move from half way. Half time arrived and the score was 19-7 in favour of the home team.
Clapton turned in to a slight wind and may have been prepared for a response from their opponents but they were not to worry as within 4 minutes of the restart Reed had produced an audacious offload for James Hack to run in from halfway. He nearly repeated the act from his own line only to run out of support as the line beckoned. 3 more tries followed though; Adam Ayres drew great applause from a large crowd as he finished several phases of attacking play, Lucas Morretta got due reward for fine pillaging work at a ruck and Douglas registered his second with a fine gliding run that beat off several defenders in the process. It was a fitting reward for his efforts, having filled in at No. 10 and he continued his development in his breakthrough senior season.
Reed registered a 100% kicking record with 6 conversions and Clapton completed what was described by many observers as a “very impressive performance”! Another potentially difficult challenge had been dealt with and 5 more games remain until the end of the season. East London is now EUCRFC’s nearest pursuer in the League 18 points in arrears. Next up is a trip to Canvey Island, and if Clapton continue this fine form they will feel that their promotion objective may be that bit closer!
EUCRFC: G. Douglas, J. Hack, G. Cook, J. Mbu, D. Merrett, D. Jones, R. Reed, C. Furlong, A. Ayres, N. Trevellion, A. Reynolds, W. Parrish, D. Allen, D. Griggs, M. Sinfield, R. Hume, D. Smith, L. Morretta
EUCRFC 47 V 7 CHELMSFORD
Although prior to this contest Clapton enjoyed a commanding lead in London Essex 3, there was still an air of apprehension at the home of the Thornwood based club as Chelmsford came to play. After all it was 1st. v 2nd; Chelmsford had been responsible for Clapton’s only loss in this campaign and their opening efforts suggested they had come to compete! EUCRFC were fielding a young team which required them to look more at the pace aspect of their game rather than the power that had been the foundation of many a victory to this point in the season.
After the first quarter, there may still have been some nagging doubts as Chelmsford had enjoyed the majority of play and position. However it was evident when Clapton had the opportunity to move the ball, they had great success. Young guns such as Reece Reed, Georges’ Cook and Douglas, Dom Merrett, Dan Jones along with their wilier colleagues were starting to gain ground; especially as the forwards were starting to dominate the breakdowns and loose play regularly forcing Chelmsford into errors and penalties. The forwards were to provide a solid and plentiful platform for possession.
Eventually after 23 minutes the defence was broken. Reed had probed from a penalty and then from a follow up scrum he had put Jones in to space to jink his way over. Sadly he was to injure his leg in the process and was to make no more meaningful contribution to the game. The experienced Russ Hume joined the fray for his debut and added a new and exciting dimension to Clapton’s play. Reed took over the full back and kicking duties and enjoyed acres of space for his incisive running style. In so doing he set a fine example to his colleagues who followed suit. Clapton having breeched the dam added a further 2 tries in the first half through Furlong from a line out drive and then George Cook put George Douglas in space to cross the try line after a rapid thrust up the touchline. Reed converted both whilst Chelmsford had conjured up their own score as their full back Scott bounced off 3 defenders in completing a fine move from half way. Half time arrived and the score was 19-7 in favour of the home team.
Clapton turned in to a slight wind and may have been prepared for a response from their opponents but they were not to worry as within 4 minutes of the restart Reed had produced an audacious offload for James Hack to run in from halfway. He nearly repeated the act from his own line only to run out of support as the line beckoned. 3 more tries followed though; Adam Ayres drew great applause from a large crowd as he finished several phases of attacking play, Lucas Morretta got due reward for fine pillaging work at a ruck and Douglas registered his second with a fine gliding run that beat off several defenders in the process. It was a fitting reward for his efforts, having filled in at No. 10 and he continued his development in his breakthrough senior season.
Reed registered a 100% kicking record with 6 conversions and Clapton completed what was described by many observers as a “very impressive performance”! Another potentially difficult challenge had been dealt with and 5 more games remain until the end of the season. East London is now EUCRFC’s nearest pursuer in the League 18 points in arrears. Next up is a trip to Canvey Island, and if Clapton continue this fine form they will feel that their promotion objective may be that bit closer!
EUCRFC: G. Douglas, J. Hack, G. Cook, J. Mbu, D. Merrett, D. Jones, R. Reed, C. Furlong, A. Ayres, N. Trevellion, A. Reynolds, W. Parrish, D. Allen, D. Griggs, M. Sinfield, R. Hume, D. Smith, L. Morretta
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