Upper Clapton 36 Ilford Wanderers 28 (Essex Division 2)

This developing Clapton side had a reputation for starting slowly, not on this day.

Tom Webb club coach was absent due to work commitments as was Adam Paine. In Webb’s absence Danny Elmer managed the team, ably supported by the maturing Garwood, captain and Stokes, vice captain, these two are turning into a superb double act.

Clapton received from the kick off and a powerful drive from the forwards saw numerous phases of play, strong running from Thompson and Winkworth led to a scrum on the Ilford 10, Stokes took the ball forward as he continued to do all day and passed to Hack to score under the posts, try converted 7-0 four minutes gone.

Ilford entered Clapton’s 22 for the first time and eventually chose to kick a penalty conceded for hands in the ruck, 7-3.

Clapton moved back into the host 22 and after at least six phases by the forwards it lead to a try by Tom Procel, 12-3, the conversion went wide.

Ilford started to exert some pressure on Clapton leading to a try being conceded and converted, 30 minutes 12-10.

Nicky Trevillion replaced Clinton Dorling due to injury.

Clapton lifted their game and scored another try within 5 minutes moving the ball quickly through the hand of Tom Roberts, Winkworth to Hack, try converted 19-10.

Within one minute of the restart Hack caught a clearance from Ilford and run from the Ilford 10 to score an exceptional try, running through and around 6 players untouched by the opposition, a fine kick from Thompson saw the try converted 26-10.

Ilford were to concede more points by being penalised in front of the post 29-10 to Clapton. The last kick of the half was a penalty scored by Ilford 29-13; half time.

Clapton maybe felt the game was won, it wasn’t, and there was much work still to be done.

The second half saw the Ilford fly half use the wind to effectively pin Clapton back in their own half, the mature front row of Ilford started to grind into Clapton who were on the back foot leading to a try wide on the left 29-18, conversion missed.

This was closely followed by a penalty to Ilford being converted 29-21.

Clapton were hanging on. Richard Jones laid on the wrong side once to often and after some aggressive raking Ilford had a man carded.

An injury to Ayres led to Dorling returning to the field. Within minutes a shrewd replacement by Elmer to give Mike Tindall his first league start of the season and the presence of Stokes into the pack may have made the difference to the final result.

Stokes played superbly in the pack. Dorling first tackle led to a turnover in midfield, Tindall took the ball on and stayed on his feet, support arrived which led to the ball going out to the right wing in Clapton’s half.

Roberts handed off the first tackle saw tacklers starting to cover and put his foot on the gas, he beat four players to score under the posts, and Thompson converted, 36-21.

Ilford sense of injustice was palpable, Clapton had been in their half once in the second half and came away with 7 points. Ilford could still manage one more converted try final score 36-28.

Clapton’s front row would not be bullied by this experienced Ilford front row; Nicky Trevillion, Adam Ayres, Clinton Dorling and Paul Baldwin will look forward to the return match. Luke Howell and Liam Hunt played way beyond their years and the entire team showed huge character to hang on in the toughest league game of the season so far. They look forward to the return.

This side, undefeated in the league take on Burnham-On-Crouch at Upland Road on 30th October @ 3 pm KO side