UCSOBs 15 - Epping 2s 22

This was a game that for all involved should be very proud. A massively intense match with all players giving 100% but played in a competitive but positive spirit that appitamises the core rugby values.

Both sides were showing good form of late with UCS unbeaten at home this season while Epping arrived having not lost since November.
Clapton had selected a strong squad, well when I say "selected" I really mean that all players who were available were either playing or on the bench.
Clapton's pack were noticeably large, forefitting pace for size. Tom Procell was making his first start since injuring himself back in November (strangely the same time as the team started winning!!). Ayrsey and Nic Trower also came into the squad, surplus to the first team requirements this week.
Captain Robbo elected too play down the slope in the first half which proved to be a good idea as for the first 10 minutes Clapton dominated territory and possession. During this period Clapton scored a try when a long pass from George Douglass found Trower in space who was finally stopped five meters from the line. Richie Marine was in support to collect the offload, break a tackle and cross between the posted, George converted
While Eppings pack were dominating the scrums and finding success around the loose UCS were spreading the ball wide to their speedy wingers. Clapton were also falling fowl of the referee who continually penalised the visitors for offside around the breakdown. This was to halt their early momentum with USC bennifitting with an unconverted try to reduce the Clubs lead. As half time approached Clapton scored again. This time Kenty driving straight through a maul and over the try line. The conversion was missed to leave the half time score at 12- 5 to the visitors.
Key focus at half time revolved around not losing momentum and scoring the first points in the second half.
As with the first Epping had the better of the early exchanges and true to the half time chat were first on the scoreboard when the impressive Trower took full advantage of some space in the home sides defence by sprinting in unopposed.
Clapton continued to domminate proceedings but failed to fully take advantage of this pressure. The closest they came was when number 8 Ollie Dunningham powered over the line but the referee couldn't see the grounding and so awarded a 5 meter scrum.
It was now UCS's turn to put pressure on the Clapton defence. This was to lead to their second try of the afternoon but crucially to the outcome of the game the conversion was missed
Trower added a penalty to extend the clubs lead once again but for the final 15 minutes it was all about the hosts searching for the win.
Clapton's defence was tested again and again with some bone shuddering hits going in. None typified this more than the Father, son Smiffy pairing who did not give an inch all afternoon. With Clapton's line continually underseige something had to give and with five minutes remaining UCS crossed out wide for their third try of the afternoon ( again conversion missed)
USC were now going for the draw and with the final play were on the front foot. A quick tapped penalty saw the home sides second row crash into contact but the experienced pairing of Kent and Procell managed to tie up the ball and the referee blew for the end of the match.
For the neutral observer this was a fantasticly competitive match that could have been won by either side. The good news is that the teams meet again in a month but this time at Claptons Thornwood HQ
Their will be some sore bodies on Sunday morning as the commitment given by all 15 was exemplimentry.
To single out a few players, Harry Judge looks like a completely different player over the last few weeks with his ball carrying and tackling . Smiffys big hits at centre defies a man of his size. Man of the match though went to hooker Alan Swales who was in the thick of it all afternoon, tackled himself to almost a standstill and will have a tasty shinner to show for his efforts.

No game for the 2s next week but return the weekend after when they host Saracens Amateurs in another merit table match.