Upper Clapton 46 May & Baker 5

Clapton are now resurgent, not only are the first team undefeated but the style and consistency by which they overcame May & Baker was hugely impressive, Clapton welcomed May & Baker to Epping for the return fixture having narrowly beaten them in the away fixture 33-24 one month before in what was the toughest game of the season to date

Clapton were welcomed onto the pitch by a large crowd who had assembled to celebrate the success of first team, in the crowd were five injured first team players including Lee Garwood the captain who unfortunately broke his hand in the fixture at May and Baker, Adam Paine, Bryan Day, Adam Ayres and Matt Thompson all will return for next season to give Tom Webb, head coach the strength in depth they will need to succeed in Essex 1

May & Maker were not here to make up the numbers and scored the first try of the day after putting pressure on the Clapton line, eventually scoring in 10 minutes after an excellent line out move, the Clapton players were very muted in this first ten minutes but the score galvanised them into action

Clapton came back at their visitors through a try by Danny Smith, this hugely popular player having his first run out in the league this season due to his inability to train consistently until recently, as work commitments got in the way, Dorling and Hack linked to allow him a run to the line under the posts converted by Ross (7-5). This was followed up with a try by Hack (12-5) Clapton maintained the momentum and young Tim Mathews scored a fine try after great work from the forwards, try converted, half time (19-5)

The second half Clapton immediately took control great slick passing in the midfield by Mathews and Jones led to the ball coming to Prop Dorling to run in from 40 yards (24-5) the rampaging full back Tom Roberts continued the scoring with a try in the corner (29-5) Pablo Beccera scored a fine individual try beating five players on the way to score one of the most deserved tries of the day, he was applauded by the appreciative spectators (36-5)

Clapton were not finished yet further tries by Smith and Roberts made the final score (46-5), the score does not reflect the tenacity shown by May & Baker who for the last ten minutes continued to push for a score, ultimately Clapton’s defence held out

May & Baker’s captain was sporting in his summary of the game when stating they knew what Clapton were going to do but the pace and ability of the Clapton players meant they were powerless to stop them. Tom Webb, club coach was delighted with the performance stating “The consistency and willingness of every player to play multi-skilled rugby was excellent today”

Clapton have developed as a side over the last six weeks since the appointment of David Harries, the backs coach, the fluidity of play has developed and in Tom Webb they have a head coach who has the leadership qualities and total respect of all his players and club supporters alike. Next season will see the introduction of the existing under 17’s into the adult club. In Webb And Harries this re-emerging giant of local rugby have the coaching set up to not only integrate these young players but also become a destination for players looking to play rugby with a club on the cusp of a great future

The players and coaches know they have a lot to learn, and that humility, absent at the start of the season; means they will never accept they are the finished article

Clapton travel to Stanford le Hope on the 26th March for their final league game of the season and then they start their preparation for the “next stage” of their development

1. Clinton Dorling 2. Pablo Beccera. 3. Nicky Trevillion. 4. Tom Procel. 5. Olly Stokes. 6. Cameron Furlong. 7. Richard Jones 8. Tim Matthews. 9. Brett Ross. 10. Connor Reynolds. 11. Tom Winkworth. 12. Mike Tindall. 13. James Hack. 14. Danny Smith. 15. Tom Roberts.

Replacements: 16. Danny Stavrinou. 17. John Gardiner. 18.Luke Howell