Ilford arrived at Clapton lying third in the league, having already given Clapton a tough game earlier in the season; their seasoned front row came to intimidate our young side but once again tThere was no quarter given by the Clapton front row, second row, back row or any player on the pitch.

Clapton scored six tries and five conversions but the start of the game did not represent what was to come.

Over 150 spectators watched an arm wrestle for the first 20 minutes, Ilford having the upper hand on territory and procession, Clapton defended resolutely and after some twenty minute Bryan Day received the ball out wide on the half way and made 30 yards being stopped inside Ilford’s 22. As he did so I was having a dialogue with Lino telling him that Bryan is the best trainer in the Club, will play wherever he is asked, and if we had 10 of his mould the Club would be all the better or it, I will keep quite next time, Bryan Day laid on the pitch for the next 70 minute with a badly broken and dislocated ankle, we all wish a him a speedy recovery.

Clapton moved onto the next pitch as Bryan lay prostrate awaiting an ambulance. From the position Bryan had given us, a lineout was awarded to Clapton, the ball came across field for Tom Roberts to finish with his first of three tries of the afternoon (7-0). The momentum now swung towards Clapton, Brett Ross scored another try close to the post which was converted by Thompson (14-0) half time.

Within three minutes of the second half Clapton started were they left off, Roberts again scoring from a great counter attack supported by Tindall and Reynolds, try converted (21-0)

Ilford started to use their forwards realising that Clapton had real strength out wide and on one rare occasion they exerted some pressure to score from a driven line out (21-5)

Reynolds recognising our strength threw a 20 metre miss pass to Hack who run in a further try (26-5) good to see Hack scoring again after his blank the week before!

Ilford still came out looking for points and scored a try (26-12), this was disputed by Thompson the full back who spent 10 minutes in the bin for his trouble. Hack was also Sin binned some five minutes later.

Clapton now entered the final 15 minutes two men down within minutes Stokes picked up a the ball just inside the Ilford half run over number of the opposition and managed the slip the ball to Roberts for his final try of the afternoon (33-12)

Clapton’s forward had worked tirelessly all afternoon and after numerous phases of play this led to a fine try for man of the match Ayres who had worked all afternoon to unsettle the Ilford forwards along with his other cohorts (40-12)

So everything is looking good for Clapton, no the discipline on the field was disappointing, they dived in were they didn’t need to. They alienated the referee on a couple of occasions

This side has real aspirations for the future; indiscipline will cost them if they don’t address it now. However in league rugby a wins a win and 40-12 is pretty emphatic and it gives Clapton a 10 point lead at the top of Essex 2.

This weekend Clapton take on Burnham on Crouch away

2-15 K/O