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Sat 09 Mar 2019 · London 3 Essex
1st XVOld Cooperians
80
7
CHAMPIONS! CLAPTON SECURE LEAGUE TITLE WITH RESOUNDING VICTORY
Danny Elmer12 Mar 2019 - 14:24
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‘HACKTRICK’ FOR JAMES
CHAMPIONS!
CLAPTON SECURE LEAGUE TITLE WITH RESOUNDING VICTORY
‘HACKTRICK’ FOR JAMES
If there were any early nerves before this game as the potential culmination of a season of success were on offer, they were soon dispelled! Within one minute 2 of the ‘young guns’ of the Clapton team had broken through and George Gook had set up Will Parrish for the opening score. Sadly at this point too, Cooperians were to suffer an unfortunate disruptive injury but in no way can it be held responsible for the final outcome. The floodgates were open, League Champion status was an inevitable outcome and Clapton were to score 11 tries, converting 9 along the way and registering their biggest victory of the season in so doing.
In recent weeks the style of EUCRFC’s game has changed. In the early stages of the season; Clapton had gained success in games based around a dominant set piece but as the season and team had developed, a faster and support based game now had meant that opponents just could not compete with the intensity and speed they produced at times. 15 man rugby was now the order of the day.
So many were involved, the young element of the team increasingly influencing proceedings coupled with the experience of a few ‘older heads’. Many of this outfit have graduated from the junior ranks of the Club and this adds to the positive feeling that this success has engendered. It offers continued encouragement to all the volunteer coaches that give their time to help develop the skills of young boys and girls every week-end!
Tries on this occasion came from James Hack with a well taken trio of touchdowns, braces for Des Griggs, Mitch Sinfield and the ever improving George Douglass. Russ Hume crossed for a try as did Reece Reed who added the 9 successful kicks for a personal tally of 23 points. Cooperians to their credit never gave up and responded with a first half converted try.
At the final whistle, a League winning team had evolved. Clapton can now look forward to playing at a higher level next season. Over 30 players have contributed to the side’s success so far and the team whilst looking ahead are adamant that pride rather than complacency will spur them on for the remainder of this campaign. Equally important to the players in this achievement and at the core of this success, has been the coaching unit under the stewardship of Head Coach Marcus Tobin.
Ironically, Clapton’s next challenge may be their most difficult as it comes from second placed East London. EUCRFC will be more than determined to maintain their momentum.
EUCRFC: G. Douglass, J. Glass, G. Cook, J. Mbu, J. Hack, D. Jones, R. Reed, C. Furlong, D. Allen, A. Ayres, W. Parrish, A. Reynolds, L. Morretta, D. Griggs, M. Sinfield, M. Malia, D. Smith, R, Hume
CLAPTON SECURE LEAGUE TITLE WITH RESOUNDING VICTORY
‘HACKTRICK’ FOR JAMES
If there were any early nerves before this game as the potential culmination of a season of success were on offer, they were soon dispelled! Within one minute 2 of the ‘young guns’ of the Clapton team had broken through and George Gook had set up Will Parrish for the opening score. Sadly at this point too, Cooperians were to suffer an unfortunate disruptive injury but in no way can it be held responsible for the final outcome. The floodgates were open, League Champion status was an inevitable outcome and Clapton were to score 11 tries, converting 9 along the way and registering their biggest victory of the season in so doing.
In recent weeks the style of EUCRFC’s game has changed. In the early stages of the season; Clapton had gained success in games based around a dominant set piece but as the season and team had developed, a faster and support based game now had meant that opponents just could not compete with the intensity and speed they produced at times. 15 man rugby was now the order of the day.
So many were involved, the young element of the team increasingly influencing proceedings coupled with the experience of a few ‘older heads’. Many of this outfit have graduated from the junior ranks of the Club and this adds to the positive feeling that this success has engendered. It offers continued encouragement to all the volunteer coaches that give their time to help develop the skills of young boys and girls every week-end!
Tries on this occasion came from James Hack with a well taken trio of touchdowns, braces for Des Griggs, Mitch Sinfield and the ever improving George Douglass. Russ Hume crossed for a try as did Reece Reed who added the 9 successful kicks for a personal tally of 23 points. Cooperians to their credit never gave up and responded with a first half converted try.
At the final whistle, a League winning team had evolved. Clapton can now look forward to playing at a higher level next season. Over 30 players have contributed to the side’s success so far and the team whilst looking ahead are adamant that pride rather than complacency will spur them on for the remainder of this campaign. Equally important to the players in this achievement and at the core of this success, has been the coaching unit under the stewardship of Head Coach Marcus Tobin.
Ironically, Clapton’s next challenge may be their most difficult as it comes from second placed East London. EUCRFC will be more than determined to maintain their momentum.
EUCRFC: G. Douglass, J. Glass, G. Cook, J. Mbu, J. Hack, D. Jones, R. Reed, C. Furlong, D. Allen, A. Ayres, W. Parrish, A. Reynolds, L. Morretta, D. Griggs, M. Sinfield, M. Malia, D. Smith, R, Hume
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