EPPING UPPER CLAPTON RFC 20 V 19 CAMPION RFC
Clapton restarted their League campaign after the festive break with a home game that they knew would represent the biggest challenge of the season so far. Campion were a developing force, had worked their way up in to 3rd place in the table and had been more than competitive in the first contest between the teams earlier in the campaign. And so it proved, Campion represented the hardest technical challenge so far seen and it was only the destructive nature of the Clapton front five that allowed them to win through in this contest. The power of the scrum ensured that EUCRFC had more than their fair share of ball and at vital times led to scores that would guarantee a nail biting conclusion to the game. The lead changed hands 8 times before the final whistle brought matters to a close.
The game kicked off before a large ‘New Year crowd’ with both sides trying to impose their particular styles. Campion were quicker to use ball, moving it through their hands and finding a good source of possession in the loose. Clapton were the dominant pack, the set pieces going their way and any attritional gains on their behalf were going to take time to bear fruit! The visitors in the guise of Meehan had a scrum half who was not only directing proceedings for them from the base but also had a fine ‘boot’ on him and was to constantly pull them back in the game with kicks. He was successful with 4 penalties and a conversion and late on was only just off target with a potentially match winning attempt. Clapton on the other hand continued to grind away, crossed for 3 tries the bonus eluding them on this occasion. Dan Jones, their reliable goal kicker was to have a relatively off day by his own standards and only managed a solitary penalty throughout!
Campion struck first with a penalty, Clapton’s response was to power a scrum forward which enabled Reece Reed to put James Hack in close to the line. Campion responded with a further penalty and it was 6-5 to the visitors at half time. The questions were being asked; had Clapton enjoyed the festivities of Xmas and the New Year just a little too much or could they use their strength and size to bludgeon their way to victory? The answer probably to both questions was yes and not without fraught consequence on the watching supporters. Whilst their defensive lines were holding firm, it was the forwards that were going to make the inroads and eventually wear down the resistance of their opponent. The scrum was becoming even more dominant, there was a regular source of line out ball and play was contained as much as possible close to hand.
EUCRFC regained the lead through a penalty goal, Campion responded with a try the reward for a prolonged period of pressure. Clapton had to respond and did so by creating scrum mayhem that led to a penalty try. Campion came back with 2 penalties which saw them ahead with only a matter of a few minutes remaining. Clapton again created the scrum position, forward they went and in the dying seconds Mitch Sinfield touched down. EUCRFC were ahead but still had to hold on and it was not surprising that the home team opted to retain possession and run the clock down to ensure a last gasp victory.
Had Clapton lost this game, they could and would not have complained! Campion were in the contest throughout and will be a constant challenge as they still have to compete against some of EUCRFC’s pursuants’ at the head of the table. Old dogs like Furlong, Allen, Trevellion, Robinson and Stokes rarely get the credit they deserve, but they were central to this victory! Their role over the next few weeks will be fundamental to success in this League campaign.
EUCRFC: G. Douglas, D. Smith, G. Cook, J. Mbu, J. Hack, D. Jones, R. Reed, C. Furlong, D. Allen, N. Trevellion, O. Stokes, J. Robinson, W, Parrish, L. Morretta, M. Sinfield, D. Merrett, D. Griggs, T C Brabant-Rudd.