Extra A return to winning ways

Claptons Extra A returned to winning ways on saturday but only after withstanding a strong Chelmsford second half come back
The hosts had made several changes from the team that had come off second best at Westcliff the previous week. In came the legacy Seal watching twins, Big Kev, Mini Me, judith Charmers and No Name who was making his first start in 18 months. The old boys also welcomed some of Youthfuls under 18s in Smiffy, Wade and Conor (for the second half)

Clapton had the better of the first half and scored three tries from Judith, Smiffy and Pat. Potato also kicked a penalty. Chelmsfords reply was a solitary for a try to leave the club with a healthy half time lead of 22-7.
The Farts made a couple of changes at the break with Use2be replacing Youthful and Conor coming on for the impressive No Name at scrum half.

The second half began with Chelmsford quickest out of the blocks. The managed to two tries during the early pressure to reduce Claptons lead to one score.
Realising that they were back in a game clapton pressed again and scored a further two tries themselves, a second from Judith after a neat offload from Kenty and a wonderful solo effort from Conor who raced through a gap after taking a quick tapped penalty.
As the game entered the final quarter Chelmsford crossed again to reduce the hosts lead back to one score and looked to level the game in a tense last few minutes.
Fortunately the Club held on for a narrow but most entertaining of victories.

The Big Kev sponsored Pin Badge went to Youthful Smiffy who had a superb Extra A debut. Not only did he score a try he put in several bone crunching tackles and made several breaks....much better than his Dad!

Next week the Oldies (and Young'ns) travel to Bancroft for the third merit table match of the season