Clapton 1st XV 22 Pegasus Palmerians 3

Having prepared in the sundrenched climate over the past week, both teams were disappointed to experience the heavy drizzle which started minutes from kick off and pursued throughout the game, making conditions greasy and difficult for an expansive game.

Pegasus began strongly and were awarded numerous penalties due to the indiscipline of the home side. Choosing to kick for touch from each penalty, Pegasus quickly became frustrated as their line outs were thwarted by veteran second row, Clapton’s Mark Kent. Pegasus kept up the pressure though and when they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts they chose to go for the points and take an early lead.

It was then Upper Clapton’s turn to pile on the pressure as a great carry from tight head prop Clinton Dorling laid the platform for the backs to attack through a wide run by winger Jamie Ilic, who was brought down illegally meters from the line. The penalty was taken quickly and Dorling was on hand to smash into the corner for the games opening try. The touchline conversion was successful from Ross Stalley.

The momentum was now with the Epping based club, and tremendous carries from Oliver Stokes and Captain Lee Garwood kept Pegasus on the back foot. Such pressure was beginning to find gaps in the Pegasus defence. This provided scrum-half James Hack with the opportunity to outpace his opposite number and run 50m before passing inside to David Harries to touch down and extend the lead to 12-3 at half time.

The second half saw Upper Clapton maintain their momentum. Excellent scummaging from Nicholas Trevilion provided a platform for powerful centre Mike Tindall to continually cross the gain line. With such domination of territory, the visiting side from Corrington were forced into a loose kick and lightning full back Danny Smith gathered, chipped into the corner and outpaced his opposite number to score a great individual try.

Upper Clapton secured the bonus point courtesy of a series of a scrums, at which dynamic number 8 Laurie Dobbin, picked from the base of the scrum and made great yardage each time. A scrum close to the line saw the same ploy used, and winger John Gunnall sprinted to the line and dived into the corner in a race his aunty (Sally) would have been proud to have won!

Overall this was a satisfying win for this newly promoted side, however they will need to improve their discipline if they are to progress the season and finish in the top half of the league.
The team included five additional youngsters who have emerged from the youth section including, Lewis Tillet, Guy Prince, Laurie Dobbin, Jamie IIic and John Gunnall, all added significantly to the game.

Lee Garwood the Club Captain commented after the game
“We won the game upfront and our backs capitalised on the hard won procession.
We now need to build on that performance and deliver our true potential, consistently”

Team
1. Clinton Dorling
2. Lewis Tillett
3. Nick Trevilion
4. Ollie Stokes
5. Mark Kent
6. Guy Prince
7. Lee Garwood
8. Laurie Dobbin
9. James Hack
10. Ross Stalley
11. Jamie Ilic
12. Mike Tindall
13. David Harries
14. Jogn Gunnell
15. Danny Smith
16. Pablo Beccera
17. Dean Mcfarlane
18. Scott Stalley