Extra A 22 – Saffron Walden 3’s 8 (Merit table cup final)

The Extra A’s finished off their season in fine style at Ely on Saturday by winning the merit table cup final and so completing their start of season target of the triple double.

Clapton arrived by coach (that had a toilet on it) to see that they were playing on a rock hard sloping pitch. What was also interesting was that the game was to be refereed by a spotty teenager!!!

The previous weeks heroics against Cambridge had taken its toll as the two young’ns were nowhere to be seen, Barks and Diddy were being held together by elastoplast and most of the squad had hurty feet.

The game itself was a showdown between the two winners of the Deuixeme merit tables. Walden have had a terrific season themselves, only losing one match.

The game kicked off in glorious sunny conditions with Clapton having the advantage of the slope. The opening exchanges were scrappy as both teams hammered into each other at great pace (well it felt like that anyway!!)

Walden took the lead with a penalty on ten minutes after the young ref had identified some naughtiness at a break down. Their lead however was short lived as moments later “Cup Final” Des crossed the line to score the first try of the afternoon after some swift handling had found him in space. The old boys were now having the best of the possession as they pressed in search of further points. The young referee was also not tolerating any misdemeanours and had taken a dislike to Diddy who was being far too aggressive for his liking.

In the backs Walden’s game plan revolved around their fly half who had seen some success in the first few minutes but was being contained now by the aggressive Clapton defence. On a rare wide move the Walden winger was munched by a typical Loyne tackle.

Clapton increased their lead on 30 minutes, this time it was right winger Lobbo who found himself in space and outpaced the oncoming defence to score in the corner.

As the half drew to a close the young referees patients finally gave up and Diddy was dispatched to the sin bin after giving an opponent a wet willy (Don’t ask!!).

With 14 players Claptons attacking edge faltered as they saw the half out without conceding any points.

Shrek was replaced by Sir and Massive Mike also entered the fray replacing Youthful. Diddy also returned with Wet Willy firmly in his pocket.

Walden kicked off with Clapton knowing that the first ten minutes would be crucial. The ball landed in the grateful arms of Kenty who proceeded to knock over all would be tacklers as he bulldozed his way into the Walden twenty two. He was finally felled but Walden gave away a penalty which Potato duly converted.

Ten minutes later the game was put out of Waldens reach after Potato took a scissor from Loyne and ran in unopposed from the ten meter line, ok I dropped the ball over the line but the young ref gave it....ok J

Walden did managed a consolation try on the twenty minute mark but it was not enough as time ran out. Even the young ref sin binning “Cup Final” Des could not dampen the spirits as the final whistle blew and the cider started to flow.

It has been a tremendous season for the old boys losing only two games all season and winning the League and cup double for the third year on the trot.

The MOM rosette went to Potato (wasn’t chosen by me before you start tutting).

The season has now finished for the Extra A but most of the squad will be playing in the Fruit Bowl match this Saturday against Harlow Vets. They then travel to South Woodham Ferrers the week after to join with Braintree and take on the hosts vets team.