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Sat 11 Jan 2014 ·  Essex (Canterbury Jack) League 1
1st XVMaldon
31
10
Improving Clapton win home game away at Bancroft or Ross Tally - 25
Paul Donnelly19 Jan 2014 - 19:15
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With pitches still unplayable Clapton travelled to Bancroft s who kindly lent them a pitch so the game could played
Clapton fielded a near full strength team against Malden, second placed in the league
The first twenty minutes saw Clapton camped in the Malden 22 but for all the huffing and puffing and a bit of white line fever, Clapton failed to score. Tom Procel in the 2nd row was yellow carded for a late tackle and with this Malden cleared their lines The first score came from Malden when they kicked a penalty in front of the posts
There lead wasn't to last long, Clapton attacked and within 5 minutes took a 7-3 lead with a superb try by Scott Stalley who broke from the 10 metre line evaded numerous tacklers and scored under the post, for Ross to convert
Ross Stalley was on the score sheet again within 10 minutes Clapton when he scored another try under the post, again converted 14-3 half time
Clapton made a change early in the second half with Lewis Tillett coming on for injured Brad Burrell at prop, what a fine game this pocket dynamo had! Within 10 minutes Clapton extended their lead with another converted try by Ross Stalley 21- 3
Malden weren't finished and after a period of sustained pressure scored a converted try 21-10. Clapton came out blazing looking for the win plus bonus point for 4 tries. Dean Macfarlane went over in the corner after a great period of second phase, again converted by Stalley. The final score was a penalty by Ross, a mature decision by Tim Matthews that saw the game out
The forwards did the dog work, Cameron and Ash in the centre tackled everything in front of the whilst Liam Rogers and paddy at full back played with strength and intensity. Scott Stalley was awarded MOM for his superb display of defence and attack. But let's not forget this game was secured by the forwards who have played well most of the season, they dominated the scrum, line out and rucks and were complimented by the referee for their performance
But, there is always a but, Clapton should have sown the game up in the first 20 minutes but failed to score any points. They are developing into a fine side but must learn to take their chances and cure their white line fever.
Alex Leo, who has been a real asset to our club as interim coach, has given them a structure and they need to be patient to ensure it is delivered. Alex is leaving us at the end of January to join Cambridge as part of the first team squad
We should all wish him the best of success and hope one day he will return to our club where he has made many friends an earned the respect of all those he has worked with
One final thing, our thanks to the supporters who made the away home game a home game.
This week the first team are away to Billericay, who top Essex 1, can they continue to improve, will the supporters travel again and give Alex the send off he deserves for his last game as coach
The first twenty minutes saw Clapton camped in the Malden 22 but for all the huffing and puffing and a bit of white line fever, Clapton failed to score. Tom Procel in the 2nd row was yellow carded for a late tackle and with this Malden cleared their lines The first score came from Malden when they kicked a penalty in front of the posts
There lead wasn't to last long, Clapton attacked and within 5 minutes took a 7-3 lead with a superb try by Scott Stalley who broke from the 10 metre line evaded numerous tacklers and scored under the post, for Ross to convert
Ross Stalley was on the score sheet again within 10 minutes Clapton when he scored another try under the post, again converted 14-3 half time
Clapton made a change early in the second half with Lewis Tillett coming on for injured Brad Burrell at prop, what a fine game this pocket dynamo had! Within 10 minutes Clapton extended their lead with another converted try by Ross Stalley 21- 3
Malden weren't finished and after a period of sustained pressure scored a converted try 21-10. Clapton came out blazing looking for the win plus bonus point for 4 tries. Dean Macfarlane went over in the corner after a great period of second phase, again converted by Stalley. The final score was a penalty by Ross, a mature decision by Tim Matthews that saw the game out
The forwards did the dog work, Cameron and Ash in the centre tackled everything in front of the whilst Liam Rogers and paddy at full back played with strength and intensity. Scott Stalley was awarded MOM for his superb display of defence and attack. But let's not forget this game was secured by the forwards who have played well most of the season, they dominated the scrum, line out and rucks and were complimented by the referee for their performance
But, there is always a but, Clapton should have sown the game up in the first 20 minutes but failed to score any points. They are developing into a fine side but must learn to take their chances and cure their white line fever.
Alex Leo, who has been a real asset to our club as interim coach, has given them a structure and they need to be patient to ensure it is delivered. Alex is leaving us at the end of January to join Cambridge as part of the first team squad
We should all wish him the best of success and hope one day he will return to our club where he has made many friends an earned the respect of all those he has worked with
One final thing, our thanks to the supporters who made the away home game a home game.
This week the first team are away to Billericay, who top Essex 1, can they continue to improve, will the supporters travel again and give Alex the send off he deserves for his last game as coach
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