Epping 13 - Southend 15

Epping succomed to Southend for the second time in a month but it took the conversion of a last play try for the Seasiders to snatch victory.
Both teams knew this would be a tight match after there previous meetings. Clapton were missing two key players in TC who was playing in the First Team and scrum half Gunners who was running around London.
Jakk Harty stepped up in the second row while 17 year old Dan Knight took over at scrum half. The good news for the Clubs future was that Dan was one of five of the starting fifteen that was under 20 years of age.
The game kicked off and for the first fifteen minutes both defenses ruled the roost. Epping started to find some success when the ball was moved wide and looked to have put winger Lindsey Dobbin away but unfortunately he was missing a boot and was caught 10 yards from the line. Clapton were growing in confidence which resulted in the first try of the afternoon, this time the ball went to the right wing where Ali G was waiting to power his way over in the corner. The right winger could also have had a second after an interception by the POWER but unfortunately he was in front of the prop who looked elswhere to offload.... An quick!
With no other scores this let the half time score at a 5 points to 0 lead for the Thornwood based club.
Clapton made one change at half time with Des Briggs replacing Ali G on the wing
The second half rather mimicked the first with few chances for either team. George had a penalty miss before slotting another to extend Epping lead to 8 points.
All was looking rosey for the Club until the Southend fly half broke through the defence after taking a hard line. Although he didn't score this gave Southend renewed opptimism as they began to find gaps that were previously not there. This eventually led to a try and then with five minutes remaining a penalty to level the scores.
With Southend on top Clapton again searched deeply and again moved the ball wide to find Dobbin again in space. The winger made it into the Southend twenty two before be bundled into touch. Clapton managed to desrupt the resulting lineout with Alan Swales hacking the ball into the try zone and then outstripping all defenders to touch down in the corner for what appeared to be the match winning score. .
But alas as the score sheet shows and full credit to Southend who are never beaten until the final whistle is blown they marched straight back upfield and scored with the last play of the game.
A bitterley disappointing end to the game and season for the Club but lots of positives to take especially the introduction of many of the youth players.
Many good performances but to highlight a few was the back row combination of Bailey Clelland, Alfie No Mates and Liam Rogers. In the backs Ben Prior and George Douglass continue to develop well under the tutalige of Tom Roberts. The Man of the match though went to Jakk Harty who has been in and out of the side all season but has been a real rock in recent weeks in both attack and defence.

And so the end of a successful season for Clapton's second string. Gaining promotion in the league by finishing runners up and also making the Merit Table cup final. All looks good for Epping Upper Clapton