Epping Upper Clapton v Pegasus Palmerians

A New Era Begins…….

Upper Clapton FC have been located in Epping for 80 years, with the support of the community and Epping Forest District Council, the 80 year old club house is due to be demolished in the summer of 2015 and the new one completed in time for the season starting in September 2015

A new all-weather pitch has been completed and is being used extensively by Epping Youth Football Club and the Rugby Club for training, whilst a multi-sport games area is already being utilised by Epping UC Netball Club

In recognition of this support the Club has now received authority from the RFU to change its name to Epping Upper Clapton RFC

On Saturday Epping UCRFC played their first league fixture under the new name bringing to an end the name that has stood since 1879

John Stockdill, a stalwart of the club for many years, presented the new shirts to the first team and over 80 supporters gathered to watch this historic day in the life of this famous club

They were not to be disappointed

Paul Donnelly
Club Development Officer

Epping Upper Clapton RFC v Pegasus Palmerians 13th September 2014

5 Brace + 1

The day and time had finally arrived to test the playing foundations of a new and exciting era at Epping & Upper Clapton RFC. Many months of hard work and preparation both on and off of the paddock was about to confront the challenge, head on with the first blow of the referees whistle, would the squad be able to put into practice the hours and hours of fitness training ? Would they have the confidence to employ the new moves and plays worked on over the closed season?

The lead up to KO was tempered with a nervous anticipation by the entire squad, each to man committed to proving that they deserved the trust placed in them by the coaching team by their inclusion in the squad for this history making fixture.

Whistle blown and a well-structured and discipline wave of red and white rush toward the area of play, it quickly became evident that the newer squad members had spent enough time with the longer established players to be able to work effective as a team. This carried on for the majority of the game with try’s raining down on our guests, occasionally almost at will.

Pegasus valiantly weathered the continual barrage of attack, and during a passage of play in each half managed to make use of a lack of focus by the Epping lads, by applying enough pressure to act as a wakeup call. One of these phases resulted in conceding an unnecessary try.

Overall a good first day at the office for the virgin squad with a generous allocation of points spread across the forwards and backs, resulting in 11 try’s plus conversations and penalties

Final score 74-7 to Epping