Epping 31- Woodford 12

With Woodford confirming the fixture on Friday a hastily arranged XV took to the field the following day for this ealy KO before the world cup final.
With the focus on development the side contained five under twenty year olds with two of them, Jack Sherris and Bailey Clelland both playing in their first ever senior fixture. It wasn't all youth however as a very very last minute call to Arms from 86 year old John " Shrek" Hunt rather increased the average age somewhat.
The game kicked off with an inviting high hanging drop out by centre Kurtis Knightly that was greatly received by Clelland who proceded to power his way into the Woodford twenty two. The home side rather made a hash of the recycle and that enabled Woodford to clear their lines.
The following few minutes were all about the visitors as they moved the ball well and with some rather lack lustre tackling came close to scoring on several occasions. It was however Clapton who were the first on the scoreboard through veteran full back Damien Bateman and then scrum half (for the first time) George Douglass. Knightly conerting both scores.
The final try of the first half was to come from Woodford to leave the half time score at 14-5 to the Club
The second half favoured the home side as they outscored Woodford by three tries to one with tries Joe Walker, Mark Kent and most popular score of the day by Bailey Clelland.
Claptons midfield defence was also worth a mention with several bone crunching hits going in from an unusual source.....eh, eh, eh??!!??

Next week the 2s return to merit table action when they entertain the Undertakers from Chelmsford where the Cllub will be hoping to avenge the defeat inflicted by the 'takers in the merit table plate final at the end of last season