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Clapton secure an away win in league oppener
Danny Elmer15 Sep 2018 - 00:00
KINGS CROSS STEELERS 22 V 30 EPPING UPPER CLAPTON RFC
KINGS CROSS STEELERS 22 V 30 EPPING UPPER CLAPTON RFC
The first game of the season often has more riding on it because all the pre-season plans are exposed to their first challenge. EUCRFC had many initiatives that needed testing. The fact they got a bonus point victory against an opposition that had been unbeaten through last year’s league campaign suggests they have got more right than wrong at this stage!
A change in attitude and application and in some areas a change in personnel was necessary. An overhaul of the coaching structure, a commitment to promote both youth and squad players, the introduction of proven quality in vital positions were other initiatives that were introduced to give strength, support and leadership to this year’s London 3 League campaign.
Cobwebs and nerves were prevalent in the early minutes of the game. KCS pounced on the mistakes. Firstly they kicked a penalty and then disrupted a scrum to score a converted try and the home side had a10-0 advantage after 7 minutes. Clapton needed a response and very quickly Dan Jones had replied with a penalty goal.
Play settled down, EUCRFC started to play for field position with raking kicks gaining good ground. From a line-out, new boy Joey Mbu broke through a tackle and completed the run himself under the posts. Jones added the extra points and Clapton then eased ahead for the first time just before half time when pressure in midfield allowed Jones to convert a further penalty to make it 13-10 to the visitors.
Nervous beginnings in the second half were replaced with Clapton’s most cohesive passage of play. A quick tap and go saw the ball passed out wide and youth graduate Jordan Watson crossed in the corner, Jones added the extra points. Complacency unfortunately allowed KCS to respond almost immediately from a line out drive; 15-20.
Clapton continued to develop greater opportunities not always converting them. However with 10 minutes remaining they managed 2 further tries from differing methods. Firstly a line-out drive saw Cam Furlong power over and this was quickly followed by an all field passage of play which saw Ollie Stokes finish a move which had seen the ball transferred through many pairs of hands.
EUCRFC again relaxed and allowed KCS back in with a final score and had to weather a last onslaught before they completed a 22-30 victory. New boy John Robinson showed leadership and strength up front whilst Ollie Forrest’s versatility saw him perform with credit in 3 different positions behind the scrum. Head Coach Marcus Tobin said of this opening victory “We knew it was going to be tough against a proven opposition and whilst we still have many technical and tactical issues to resolve, it was a very positive start to the season. We will hope to see further progress against our next challengers Ilford Wanderers.”
EPPING UPPER CLAPTON RFC: O. Forrest, D. Smith. J. Mbu, G. Cooke, G. Douglas, D. Jones, D. Merrett, H. Judge, D. Allen, C. Furlong, O. Stokes, J. Robinson, L. Moretta, D. Griggs, M. Sinfield, J. Watson, M. Mallia, L. Everard.
The first game of the season often has more riding on it because all the pre-season plans are exposed to their first challenge. EUCRFC had many initiatives that needed testing. The fact they got a bonus point victory against an opposition that had been unbeaten through last year’s league campaign suggests they have got more right than wrong at this stage!
A change in attitude and application and in some areas a change in personnel was necessary. An overhaul of the coaching structure, a commitment to promote both youth and squad players, the introduction of proven quality in vital positions were other initiatives that were introduced to give strength, support and leadership to this year’s London 3 League campaign.
Cobwebs and nerves were prevalent in the early minutes of the game. KCS pounced on the mistakes. Firstly they kicked a penalty and then disrupted a scrum to score a converted try and the home side had a10-0 advantage after 7 minutes. Clapton needed a response and very quickly Dan Jones had replied with a penalty goal.
Play settled down, EUCRFC started to play for field position with raking kicks gaining good ground. From a line-out, new boy Joey Mbu broke through a tackle and completed the run himself under the posts. Jones added the extra points and Clapton then eased ahead for the first time just before half time when pressure in midfield allowed Jones to convert a further penalty to make it 13-10 to the visitors.
Nervous beginnings in the second half were replaced with Clapton’s most cohesive passage of play. A quick tap and go saw the ball passed out wide and youth graduate Jordan Watson crossed in the corner, Jones added the extra points. Complacency unfortunately allowed KCS to respond almost immediately from a line out drive; 15-20.
Clapton continued to develop greater opportunities not always converting them. However with 10 minutes remaining they managed 2 further tries from differing methods. Firstly a line-out drive saw Cam Furlong power over and this was quickly followed by an all field passage of play which saw Ollie Stokes finish a move which had seen the ball transferred through many pairs of hands.
EUCRFC again relaxed and allowed KCS back in with a final score and had to weather a last onslaught before they completed a 22-30 victory. New boy John Robinson showed leadership and strength up front whilst Ollie Forrest’s versatility saw him perform with credit in 3 different positions behind the scrum. Head Coach Marcus Tobin said of this opening victory “We knew it was going to be tough against a proven opposition and whilst we still have many technical and tactical issues to resolve, it was a very positive start to the season. We will hope to see further progress against our next challengers Ilford Wanderers.”
EPPING UPPER CLAPTON RFC: O. Forrest, D. Smith. J. Mbu, G. Cooke, G. Douglas, D. Jones, D. Merrett, H. Judge, D. Allen, C. Furlong, O. Stokes, J. Robinson, L. Moretta, D. Griggs, M. Sinfield, J. Watson, M. Mallia, L. Everard.
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