Upper Clapton 5 – 19 Bancroft

With Upper Clapton being recently promoted to Essex 1 and Bancroft being demoted into it, there was much interest to determine who would emerge victorious. Bancroft came out of the blocks firing, making a series of turnovers and put their counterparts on the back foot. This resulted in Upper Clapton conceding three penalties in their own half in the opening twenty minutes, which fly half Luke Brewin successfully put over the posts.
Clapton rolled up their sleeves and put their local rivals on the back foot, putting some consecutive phase play and the powerful carrying of Ollie Stokes, camping in Bancrofts 22. Clapton were unable to convert this pressure into points though as a clear cut chance was spilt meters from the line. With a minute to play of the half a loose ball was gathered from the lineout by Bancroft winger Ricardo Duberry and the athletic winger sprinted 40 meters to score under the posts. Again Brewin converted.
The second half saw Upper Clapton dominate possession and territory. Number 8 and Clapton captain, Lee Garwood led the charge as he made numerous carries resulting in Bancroft conceding number of penalties. Scrum half James Hack was alert to tap quickly and released outside half David Harries to beat his man and score from 20 meters. The game was back in the balance and Bancroft were certainly feeling the pressure. Then as Clapton were in possession on their opponents try line, the referee awarded a penalty to Bancroft and awarded a yellow card to flanker Laurie Dobbin for entering a ‘ruck from the side’! This allowed Bancroft to clear their lines and provided opportunity for number 8 Jordan Wigham to make some powerful carries. Bancrofts Brewin completed the day with a late penalty, resulting in the final score being 19-5 in Bancrofts favour. This was a game that Upper Clapton should have won, but failed to show the determination of their opposition in the opening 20 minutes