Saracens Amateurs 2s 17 - Epping 2s 52

Epping avenged the defeat by Saracens 3 weeks ago with a resounding victory consisting of 8 tries. Both teams were much changed from their previous encounter with Claptons pack strengthened with the inclusion of Adam Ayres, Matt "Smelley" Kelley and Ollie Dunningham. There were changes also in the backs with Louie Spence filling in at scrum half, Kurtis Knightly and Nick the Knife Moody also coming in to bolster the team.
With heavy rain during the week it was a surprise that the game was played in glorious sunshine.
Epping kicked off and in a rather scrappy first ten minutes had several opportunities to score but basic errors halting progress.
One positive during this time was the Clapton scrum with hooker Alan Swales taking the first five against the head.
The visitors finally opened the scoring after 15 minutes when skipper Tom Roberts broke clear on the 10 meter line to run in under the posts, Knightly converting.
That score seemed to galvanise the home side as back they came from the kick off and with the Clubs defence rather lack lustre allowed Saracens to score in the corner.
The remainder of the half though belonged to the Club who managed to cross with a further three tries. Try scorers Knightly TC and Douglass. The ref blew for half time with the club in a healthy 26 point to 5 advantage.
No changes are made by Clapton at half time but discussion around building phases and supporting the ball carrier more.
As with the first half Clapton controlled possession for large amounts of the second. Knightly crossed for his brace and then added a third for his hat trick. Not bad result for his first game of the year. Winger Lindsey Dobbin also notched a brace to give the club 8 tries for the day. Saracens crossed for two tries themselves, one rather gifted after an interesting clearance kick, enough said about that.
Clapton rung the changes to ensure every Player got a good amount of game time. Most noticeable was when Steve Hill replaced Kenty in the second row and almost scored with his first touch of the ball. Most enjoyable though was Youthful replacing Smelley on the flank but then the latter having to come back on again after Louie had to leave the field with hurty fingins. Someone will! Be very hurty on Sunday morning!!!
This was a great result for the club that now makes one defeat in the last 10 matches and with one merit table match left in theory could end the season in second place which would be an incredible performance as they were bottom at Christmas.

Special mentions this week to Alan " against the head " Swales who had an extremely industrious afternoon, Kurtis Knightly who's 3 tries showed what a danger he is in attack and Matt Kelley for gritting his teeth for the final 10 minutes
The man of the match this week went to TC who had an excellent afternoon by scoring a try, making countless amount of tackles and being a positive voice of reason when the club lost there way.

Strangely the next game for the 2s is not until the 1st April when they host Hitchin in there last merit table game of the season.