Upper Clapton 1st Xv 22 Clacton 1st Xv 15.

Upper Clapton travelled to Clacton for their first league game of the season. Clacton were undefeated at home for the last four seasons and Tom Webb picked a side hoping to move the huge Clacton forwards around the park. The Clacton forwards were about 2 stone a man heavier and about 8 years older on average.

The game started as expected with Clacton rolling a maul from a line out and Clapton conceding a converted penalty within the first five minute 3-0 to the home side, Clacton continued in this way and within five minutes had two, what they thought were strong attacking positions on the Clapton five yard line. Although Clapton had the put in could they hold the strength of the home sides front five? Paul Baldwin at tight head and Clinton Dorling gave them the platform and they held them out twice in succession, a huge moral booster for this young side together with a great clearance kick from Jake Philps took them outside there half for the first time in 15 minutes.

Clapton started to work their way down the field and there first entry into the home side’s 22 saw a penalty to Clapton converted by Philps, 3-3. Clacton soon had the next score of the game when they once again used a rolling maul from a line out to score the first try of the game, 8-3. The kick was unsuccessful and Clapton soon had an opportunity to narrow the scores, a bullocking run from Lester Clevely set up a good attacking position. Clapton’s overuse of the boot this time found a home player isolated, the chasing Danie Visser tackled the catcher who failed to release with the Clapton back row of Dobbin, Clevely and Garwood driving into the second phase, Penalty to Clapton unfortunately unconverted.

The visitors were not to be denied and spent the final 15 minutes in the opposition half constantly looking to stretch the opposition. Clapton were awarded a penalty in front of the posts but new they had Clacton on the back foot, a quick tap penalty saw Clapton once again set up quick procession from second phase and Clinton Dorling score in the corner, converted by Philps 8-10 at Half time.

The second half saw Clapton once again win two good scrums in succession and continue to defend well against the Clacton forwards. Unfortunately, a fine converted try came about five minutes after the break by Clacton’s Fly half, the first time Clacton had run a move all afternoon in their three quarters 15-10.

Clapton were not to be thwarted, they kept to the game plan an moved the ball down field with elusive running from Hack on the right. The Clapton forwards were once again first to the second, third and fourth phase. The ball was spread to the left and Dobbin went over in the corner to score an unconverted try 15-15.

With ten minutes remaining Clapton made a number of changes bring on Lewis Howard an old Stalwart of 17 years old to make his first team debut since returning to Clapton and off went the impressive Clevely who was also making his first team debut. Also on came Ed Nicholson replacing Danie Visser. Clapton still pressured the Clacton line and this led to the final score of the game, a quick tap saw Tom Roberts go over on the left wing for a well-earned try. This was well converted by Philps 15-22.

A fine win for Clapton 1st team, meanwhile the second team beat Bancroft 2nd 59-12.
Clapton need to work on a number of areas in the game but with a squad of 40 players in the 1st and 2nd team the competition for first team is stronger than it has been for years, whilst many individuals played well; it was a team performance to be admired with good discipline and spirit on the field. Tom Webb club coach was delighted with the 1st and 2nd team performances on the day and he will once again have major headaches when it comes to selection for next week’s games at home to Maldon in Essex Division 1, whilst the 2nd Xv play Millwall in BL League Division 4, preceded by a wine and cheese for the supporters. Please reserve your place with Ian Swindale or Paul Donnelly.

Team For Clacton 1st Xv V Upper Clapton 1st Xv:

1 Clinton Dorling, 2 Pablo Beccera, 3 Paul Baldwin, 4 Lewis Burke, 5 Tom Procel, 6 Lee Garwood (Captain), 7 Laurie Dobbin, 8 Lester Clevely, 9 Lewis Dorling, 10 Jacob Philps, 11 Liam Rogers, 12 Mike Tindall (Vice-Captain), 13 Danie Visser, 14 James Hack, 15 Tom Roberts.

Replacements: 16 Ed Nicholson, 17 Lewis Howard, 18 John Gunnell.