Stanford le Hope 12 Upper Clapton 65

Clapton travelled to Stanford with a vastly changed side due to injuries and holidays, however the strength of depth within the club shone through as players stepped up to the mark and finished the season in real style. Richard Jones, the old warhorse was given the honour to captain the side for the day, to mark his twenty first year of playing first team rugby for this club, a huge landmark for any player

Stanford started with a real physicality; their forwards screaming as they came into the first ruck of the day, but this young intelligent side moved the ball away quickly away from the forwards to score the first try within two minutes through Roberts, Clapton failed to clear up the restart and Stanford went on to score (5-5)

Clapton countered from the restart this time Danny Smith fed to Tindall who with Roberts running the switch allowed Tindall to cross the line (10-5) Tindall followed up with another try after a free running counter from James Hack, Tindall crossed the line close to the posts, converted (17-5) Clapton were now moving the ball out wide at every opportunity, the next try being scored by the ever improving Tom Winkworth after a long miss pass from Connor Reynolds, the Fly half (22-5) Winger Smith went over having beaten three players to score on the other wing (27-5) Half Time. The three quarters were scoring all the points meanwhile the forwards were getting on with their job of securing quick ball, Luke Howell, Pablo Beccera and the captain, Jonesey, were everywhere, meanwhile the front five performed exceptionally

The Second Half started with Clapton in ascendancy, Roberts collected the ball in his own half and run through half the Stanford team to score under the posts, try converted (34-5) the next try was one of four to be scored by Hack in the second half, he countered from just inside the half way line to score in the corner (39-5) Tom Webb knowing the game was won sent on his replacements Paul Baldwin, Andrew Green and for the first time this season Jake Philps at Fly half. Hack scored the next two tries one from an audaciously quick tap penalty to score under the posts; both were was converted (53-5) the next try saw a forward on the score sheet for the first time, Tom Procell popping a pass to Paul Baldwin to score under the posts (60-5)

To Stanford credit they came back into the game for a period resulting in a converted try (60-12) Clapton were not finished, with two minutes remaining it was scored by top try scorer for the season James Hack, Brett Ross, scrum Half kicked ahead and although hit late was more concerned to see the ball touched down by Hack (65-12)

Tom Webb, Head Coach and David Harries the Backs Coach will have a tough time with selection next season, when hopefully all injured players return plus new players have joined, competition will be fierce for the first team squad and as the injured Captain, Lee Garwood stated after the game, “training will be intense” as players vie for first team squad places. Every injured player watched this final league game together with a number of younger players who all want to be part of the Clapton Squad as they go into Essex One

Sometimes numbers tell the best story, Played 16. Won 16. Points For 782. Against 143. Points Difference 639. Bonus Points 16 Total Points 80. Maximum Possible 80!!! Job Done

Some of the team will carry on the season as Clapton are forming an invitation seven a side squad of over 30 players, including an under 21’s side. This is open to any players regardless of club and trials will take place 9th April 1pm at Upland Rd, Thornwood Common see www.upperclapton.com for details