Kings Cross Steelers 0 Upper Clapton 41

Upper Clapton 1st XV continued where they left off the previous week with a resolute performance against Kings Cross Steelers.

The score line was not a reflection of the first 15 minutes of pressure that our hosts exerted in the Clapton 22; this was not helped by some handling errors and penalties being conceded for handling on the floor. Our defence held and as we eventually ventured into the KX half, a break by Hack saw a pass to Tom Roberts to score in the left hand corner this went unconverted.

From the restart Ayres collected the ball and drove powerfully back into the KX half, this was to be the first of many forward yards gained by Ayres on the day, it would be unfair to single out just one of the front row as Dorling and Trevillion played in one of the most assertive fronts rows seen in the club for many years. Continual pressure led to a fine try being created this time on the right by Toby Sweeney, which went unconverted; 10 nil 22 minutes played, only seven of them in the KX half.

The next try was not long in coming; once again Ayres was involved passed to Hunt who fed to Hack on their 10 yard line whose elusive run outstripped the defence to score in the corner; converted by Matt Thompson 17-0. The final minutes of the half saw KX come back into the game and only fine defensive work from the club kept Clapton try line intact.

Adam Paine replaced Richard Jones at half time, his fist touch of the ball saw a fine run into the 22 but some untidy play saw KX clear their line with a 22 drop out, it was not long before Dean McFarlane was held up just short of the line, by now the KX scrum was starting to wilt under the pressure, one of there props now being replaced, Clapton’s first try of the second half was scored by Roberts who run an excellent line onto Ollie Stokes pop pass, try converted 24-0.

From the restart Hack broke whilst he had support outside him this wasn’t needed and he went on to score under the posts, unconverted 29-0. Ayres again received from the kick off this time he ran back 30 metre with 3 of there players trying to pull him down.

Tom Winkworth replaced Scott Stalley on 45mins; Nick Trevillion was replaced by Jay Brown on 60 minutes. A fine break by Captain Garwood saw Stokes pass to McFarlane to score another try duly converted by Thompson 36-0. The final try of the game was scored by Tom Winkworth after a well worked move in the midfield 41-0.

Coach Tom Webb stated “it was a fine workmanlike performance we defended when we needed to and gave them a big fat zero”.

Man of the match award was given to the entire front rows unit, their performance was summed up by Richard Jones who said “when a front row plays that well the back row have any easy game, at my age thank God”. Jonesy has played first team at the club for approximately 15 years he was also quoted as saying “there he has never seen such competition for places in the first team”.

Two league games gone, maximum points, 154 for and 7 against, so what! It’s a long season and it starts again Saturday with a home game against promotion favourites Writtle K/O 3pm.

Team:

1 Dorling, 2 Ayres, 3 Trevillion, 4 Procel, 5 Mcfarlane, 6 L.Hunt, 7 Jones, 8 Garwood (Capt), 9 Hack, 10 Day, 11 T.Sweeney, 12 Stokes, 13 Roberts, 14 S.Stalley, 15 Thompson.

Replacements:

16 Brown, 17 Paine, 18 Winkworth.