Epping v Lowestoft 19.09.15

A New Era At Epping Upper Clapton Begins In Style

Having beaten all their opponents in their pre-season warm up games, including a confidence boasting win against London 2 team Woodford two weeks ago. Epping 1st XV are entering the new league with firm sight on continuing to grow and develop as a team, in a fashion that encourages sustainable improvements and growth both on and off the pitch.

Epping knew they would have to approach this season with the same level of commitment and vigor as was evident in the promotion Play-off against Ely at the end of last season, which in all honesty seems like years ago and not just a few short months, Unfortunately our opponents for this game were delayed due an accident on the M11, which resulted in the KO time being pushed back to 3pm.

Finally the new season begins with the first blow of the referee’s whistle and Epping embark on the new challenges as determined by the 2015/2016 league fixtures list.

Lowestoft clearly had every intention of welcoming Epping to the higher league in true rugby style !! One can only assume they the entire squad had eaten all their Weetabix on Saturday morning. The immediate onslaught was extremely well organised and constant, with wave after wave of attack, resulting in a try by one of Lowestoft’s locks around the ten minute mark, which was successfully converted.

The intense playing style of Lowestoft dominated play for much of the first half, however Epping managed to contain the assault with some superb defence, resulting a half time score of 6-14

A change of ends and team talk, clearly was the order of the day, as this was clearly going to be game of two halves. The men in red and white settled quickly into the second half with the intensity and speed of attack worked on over the summer months. The tries quickly started to flow in Epping’s favour, accompanied by successful conversions regardless of the pitch position. Anyone that knows the Epping team from last season will remember that the tries scored are typically equally shared by the forwards and backs, based on today’s game it would appear that its business as usual.

To their credit Lowestoft remained competitive for the whole match, despite the reversal of fortunes and ball possession opportunities, with continued attempts to break the robust and well organised Epping defence, which only resulted in five more points in the 40 minutes for the visitors.

Final score:
Epping Upper Clapton 36
Lowestoft 19

Next week Epping 1st XV’s league game is again at home at 2pm against Stowmarket, Epping Upper Clapton have entered this new league in 5th place after the first match.