Clacton 31- Upper Clapton 34

Clapton arrived after a long drive and took to the game although they had travelled through 10 time zones
Clacton’s pack dominated the first half but could only secure a penalty and a converted try whilst on the rare occasion Clapton went into their 22, Ross (New Boots) Stalley had the chance and scored two penalties, 10-6 as the sides turned round
Strong words from Coach Keith Green saw Clapton improve in the second half, and from the restart a fine converted try by Scott Stalley under the post saw Clapton take the lead for the first time, 13-10
Clacton continued to push Clapton all the way and scored a converted try to take the lead 17-13. A further converted try soon after saw Clacton take an 11 point lead 24-13
Some changes were made with Tim Mathews going to the second row Tom Procell coming on and Paddy switching to the wing and Ash Somers switching to 8
The final replacement was Laurie Dobbin who within minutes scored a converted try under the post 24-20, Clapton from the KO secured the ball and Scott Stalley fed Tim Mathews who run through a very large gap to score under the post 27-24 to Clapton
Clacton came back again and within 5 minutes scored a converted try under the post, with 5 minutes to go Clacton were ahead again 31-27
Many Clapton sides would have stopped looking for the result by now, but not this side, a fine try by Liam Rogers far out on the left was converted Clapton 34-31. Game over, not yet
At the restart both captains approached the referee to find out what the score was, the referee surprisingly said that Clacton was winning by 7? With Keith Green baying for Clapton to put the ball out of play they carried on thinking they were losing eventually the ball was conceded to Clacton, who still thinking they were winning kicked the ball out of play
After a short conversation with both coaches and the referee the score stood at 34-31 as confirmed by the Clacton supporters.

Ross Stalley scoring two penalties plus four conversions plus tries from Scott Stalley. Laurie Dobbin, Tim Matthews and the decisive score at the end by Liam Rogers
Ash Somers had a fine game with the ball in hand and when he went into the scrum made a difference
Clapton will learn from this game and take on Dagenham at home on the 15th hoping to further their position in the league