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FLYING GUNS PULLS THE TRIGGER AT 9

FLYING GUNS PULLS THE TRIGGER AT 9

Danny Elmer13 Mar 2018 - 06:41
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CLAPTON HAVE REVENGE IN HOME GAME

CLAPTON TAKE THE POINTS AND BRAGGING RIGHTS IN TENSE LOCAL DERBY
EPPING UPPER CLAPTON RFC 13 V 10 HARLOW RFC
Neither side had much form going into this contest; both had only mustered one win each in the last 5 games and the nerves really showed in the early exchanges. If either team had grabbed the initiative at this stage, they could have laid the foundations for a far easier remainder of the afternoon. The fact that neither side did meant that they were both tentative at best and any intense local rivalry was far from evident at this initial point in the proceedings!
The heavy nature of the pitch was not likely to promote fast flowing rugby. The skirmishes started to grow in intensity and eventually it was the home side Clapton that carved out the openings for the first two scores. Dan Jones kicked a penalty goal after 15minutes, the result of an offense in a midfield. Clapton had taken a little bit of the initiative. The scrum was a strong point to their favour, the lineouts showed parity and the loose was just edging to Harlow’s benefit. Clapton were having more impact with the ball in hand though. Mitch Sinfield was gaining good ground, Harry Barker too giving some impetus from Full Back. Connor Reynolds and Des Griggs made progress too with the ball in their possession.
Jack Glass got Clapton’s first try finishing off a good team move which started with a scrum steal on the half hour and yet as too often in the past, EUCRFC failed to consolidate their position as a short while after they conceded a try which had originated from a Harlow lineout drive. Over the recent years Harlow have had great success from this tactic in these local contests, this was no exception! Neither try was converted so Clapton led 8-5 at half time.
The second half started with far more intensity than had been witnessed before. Sin binnings have been a constant problem for Clapton all season, ill-discipline adding to the challenges that face them in each game. This one was no exception! Twice they were a man down! In the first instance they conceded Harlow’s opening try and yet when their second player was sent to the bin, they managed a series of flowing moves and one of which saw Des Griggs pop up out wide and cross for their second try. The momentum was now with the home outfit. They certainly had more pace in their movement and on a couple of occasions just failed to finish what had been flowing attacks involving both backs and forwards.
In such an important local match up, it was inevitable that Harlow should mount a response. This they did and it was matched by a great defensive effort from EUCRFC but eventually with very little left on the clock the Harlow pack crossed the Clapton line with an attack that again originated from a lineout drive. Neither side could convert their second half tries. When play resumed from the restart, the final whistle was blown at the first opportunity.
On the day Clapton had taken the spoils…the importance of the occasion rather impacting on its outcome and the game in general. Nerves were evident throughout, quality rugby was not too prevalent and the conditions did not help either. Whatever the circumstances, this was always going to be a close encounter! The winning points help ease Clapton’s position in the lower reaches of the league, an additional opportunity to pull further away presents itself this week with a visit to another close local rival Woodford.
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