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Sat 02 Apr 2016 ·  Division 5
Southend IV
2nd XV
29
19
Epping edged in end of season thriller
Steven Douglass3 Apr 2016 - 07:32
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Close but no cigar
A match to suit the occasion as Southend took the spoils after an intensly fort match at Sumpters way on Saturday.
Before play both teams stood level on points at the top of merit table 5 and victory would mean the division title.
Clapton were pretty much at full strength with the only real absentee was Coach Kenty who was sunning himself in warmer climbs... and during the season!!
The game kicked off with Epping pinning there hosts in there twenty two for the opening 5 minutes. Clapton were unable to take advantage of this early pressure with Southend eventually clearing there lines.
For the next twenty minutes both teams went at it hammer and tong with the defences ruling the roost with several hard hits.
The difference in the teams however was when the home team fielded the ball from deep. Claptons first up tackles were not being made and this gave Southend the momentum they needed that led to two tries.
With a 12 point defecit Clapton were in danger of allowing Sothend to run away with the game in the first half but Dobbin was to have other ideas as moments later he was under the posts after a typical mazy run.
As both teams began to feel the effects of a blistering opening 30 minutes gaps began to appear with Southend scoring there third try just before veteren Ed Lobbo was put through a gap and defied his years by outstripping the oncoming tacklers to cross the line. George converted both tries to leave the half time score at 17 points to 12.
Epping made one change at the break with Ben Prior replacing George at Fly Half. The second half kicked off with Prior making an immediate impact by making a blindside break, chipping over the oncoming defense, regaining the ball. and then passing inside for what those on the touchline thought would be a match levelling score but agonisingy the ball went to ground.
Southend scored again to extend there lead only for Alfie Renoulds to pull Southends lead back to three points after some neat acobatics.
Clapton were now sensing the win and produced there best rugby of the match. At the forefront of this was number 8 Liam Rogers who made several key breaks. With time almost up Clapton had a scrum in the Southend twenty two but the homesides defense proved too strong and cleared there lines.
The final play saw Southend catch and drive over the visitors line for the last try of the match and extend there lead to 10 points
.
Both teams should feel really proud of themselves for the manner in which this game was played. Southend deservidly victors and league champions and our congratulations go out to there squad
For Clapton the merit table cup awaits that if both teams are sucessful in there semi finals could mean a third encounter on the 29th April.
Difficult to give a mean of the match after the effort put in by the entire squad, there will be some hurty bodys on Sunday for sure but Tom Roberts edges for the way he has helped develop the younger generation by leading from the front in both attack and defense.
Before play both teams stood level on points at the top of merit table 5 and victory would mean the division title.
Clapton were pretty much at full strength with the only real absentee was Coach Kenty who was sunning himself in warmer climbs... and during the season!!
The game kicked off with Epping pinning there hosts in there twenty two for the opening 5 minutes. Clapton were unable to take advantage of this early pressure with Southend eventually clearing there lines.
For the next twenty minutes both teams went at it hammer and tong with the defences ruling the roost with several hard hits.
The difference in the teams however was when the home team fielded the ball from deep. Claptons first up tackles were not being made and this gave Southend the momentum they needed that led to two tries.
With a 12 point defecit Clapton were in danger of allowing Sothend to run away with the game in the first half but Dobbin was to have other ideas as moments later he was under the posts after a typical mazy run.
As both teams began to feel the effects of a blistering opening 30 minutes gaps began to appear with Southend scoring there third try just before veteren Ed Lobbo was put through a gap and defied his years by outstripping the oncoming tacklers to cross the line. George converted both tries to leave the half time score at 17 points to 12.
Epping made one change at the break with Ben Prior replacing George at Fly Half. The second half kicked off with Prior making an immediate impact by making a blindside break, chipping over the oncoming defense, regaining the ball. and then passing inside for what those on the touchline thought would be a match levelling score but agonisingy the ball went to ground.
Southend scored again to extend there lead only for Alfie Renoulds to pull Southends lead back to three points after some neat acobatics.
Clapton were now sensing the win and produced there best rugby of the match. At the forefront of this was number 8 Liam Rogers who made several key breaks. With time almost up Clapton had a scrum in the Southend twenty two but the homesides defense proved too strong and cleared there lines.
The final play saw Southend catch and drive over the visitors line for the last try of the match and extend there lead to 10 points
.
Both teams should feel really proud of themselves for the manner in which this game was played. Southend deservidly victors and league champions and our congratulations go out to there squad
For Clapton the merit table cup awaits that if both teams are sucessful in there semi finals could mean a third encounter on the 29th April.
Difficult to give a mean of the match after the effort put in by the entire squad, there will be some hurty bodys on Sunday for sure but Tom Roberts edges for the way he has helped develop the younger generation by leading from the front in both attack and defense.
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