Epping 2s 41 - Bishops Stortford 4s 7

Looking at the scoreline you would have thought that this was a comfortable victory for Eppings in form 2nd team but that's where you would be wrong.
This was a hard fort victory against two evenly matched teams where Claptons momentum and ball retention gave them the edge as well as a never say die defence that only conceeded one try even though the visitors had many attacking opportunities.

As with last week there were 8 changes from the team that had started against Saracens with a further two on the bench with the popular return of Aggie and the Crouchinator.
With a crowded clubhouse and the first team playing in a crunch league match led to a good atmosphere as Douglass jnr kicked off to start the match.
Both defences ruled the roost for the opening exchanges until Clapton Centre Ed Lobbo took a hard line and burst through the Stortford defence. Fortunately for the visitors Ed's pinpoint chip through wasn't and the ball ran harmlessly over the dead ball line.
Moments later Ed was back in the action but this time being forced from the field after attempting to tap tackle a Stortford player with his head.
Ed was temporarily replaced by Robbo and the game continued.
Epping were enjoying some good territory which led to the first try of the afternoon when scrum half Louie Spence sent up a box kick . Ollie Dunningham was first to the loose ball to touch down. 10 minutes later and Clapton extended there lead this time POWER crashing over from close range.
Two tries up but not in control as back Stortford came but were met by some good defensive work by both forwards and backs. After sustaining the Stortford attack Dunningham went over for his second try and extend the home sides lead to 19 points. Half time approached with Stortford pinned on Claptons line but not able to turn pressure into points.
Two changes were made at half time with Aggie coming on for Ali G in the back row and Harry Wood replacing Joe " Monkeyboy!!" Walker.
The Ollie/ POWER show continued at the start of the second half as POWER added to his try in the first with another.
Clapton may have been enjoying a 26 point lead but for the next fifteen minutes Stortford enjoyed there best rugby of the match. This began with a converted try but then some desperate defence from the home side stopping the visitors reducing the lead further.
Slowly Epping regained there composure which led to there 5th try of the afternoon when Robbo who had now replaced Lobbo in the centre touched down after an 80 meter chase upfield started by the fly hacking skills of Richard Mcenery.
This score seemed to quell Stortford ambition as Douglass jnr added a penalty before ending the scoring for the day with a try which he also converted to give him a 16 point haul for the day.
After relinquishing there unbeaten run to Saracens last weekend this was a good morale boosting victory that will give the squad confidence as they enter the final quarter of the season
Stand out players this week were Ali G, normally a winger but making several breaks on the flank. Rhys Brown also had a fine match by tackling anything in a blue shirt. His combination with 8 Ollie Dunningham also providing many attacking opportunities. Ollie himself was outstanding in both attack and defense. The man of the match though went to the POWER who this week made his way back to the coal face which resulted in his two tries. We shall ignore the twenty meter pass though!!!

Next week the 2s host UCS Old boys in a rearranged merit table match.