Upper Clapton 40 Clacton 30

A truly epic encounter in Epping last Saturday saw Upper Clapton gain their second consecutive league win with a bonus point. In a high scoring match which was played on a sun drenched afternoon, the young talent of UCFC showed great character and determination against a much bigger and older Clacton team.

The Epping home side had a fantastic start when captain Lee Garwood made a ground around the side of a ruck, and quick ball was recycled to release winger John Gunnell who sidestepped and cut inside his man to score the opening try. Clacton responded within minutes though when their forwards bundled over from close range to equalise.

Upper Clapton were next to reply, with outstanding handling drawing the defenders left and right through phase after phase. This resulted in winger Tom Roberts hitting the line at speed and off loading to full-back Matt Thomson to power his way through 2 would be tacklers to score under the posts. Ross Stalley converted.

Clacton indiscipline then cost them dearly as ‘sharp shooter Stalley’ slotted a penalty from the touchline to take the score up to 15-5 to the home side. However, Clacton stayed ‘n touch’ with a contentious try in the corner. Their winger had clearly been tackled into touch on two occasions but was permitted to play on and slip a ball inside from off the field of play for Clacton to score in the corner.

UCFC were to have the final word of the half when centre Jake Phelps demonstrated a piece of outstanding individual skill. When receiving a pass from the base of a ruck, he stepped the first defender and composed himself to strike a drop goal from inside the 10m line high and mighty over the centre of the posts, half time 18-10.

Clacton came out fighting after the break and within 10 minutes had taken the lead for the first time in the match. 2 quick tries and one successful conversion by the visitors may have put doubt in some of the supporters’ minds, but not into the young players minds of Upper Clapton.

An excellent break from substitue Jamie Ilic saw him sprint down the touch line and pass inside for James Hack to be brought down inches from the line. A quick penalty from the next play allowed power house Laurie Dobbin to carry 3 defenders over the line with him as he scored. The conversion was again successful from Stalley.

Clacton again took the lead through a penalty and then went on to score under the posts as some miscommunication saw their centre go in under the posts untouched and the conversion was made to take them to 30 points.

Fitness and skill levels were to be the decisive factors in the last 20 minutes. As centre Adam Prince consistently found holes in a tired Clacton back-line, he was eventually brought down illegally through a high tackle, which Stalley slotted over. As the play became more open, Stalley himself was next to go over as he outpaced his opposite number to score under the posts then convert.

Finally, prop Clinton Dorling was to score an individual try which will go down in history at the club! The loose head prop received the ball on the half way line, dummied, side stepped and sprinted his way to score beating 3 players along the way. As he emerged from his swan dive over the line, his rosey cheeks said it all, and the crowd responded. Stalley converted to take his own personal tally for the day to 17 points, and take Upper Claptons’ to 40, to secure a great win and 5 league points.

UCFC Team – Dorling, Baldwin, Trevellion, Mcfarlane, Jones, Garwood, G Prince, Dobbin, Hack, Stalley, Phelps, A Prince, Thompson, Roberts, Gunnell, subs: Ilic, Baccera, Tilett.