Ilford III 12 UCFC Ex A 72

Now you would think by looking at the score line that this must have been an easy romp on a lovely pitch in the beautiful Autumn sunshine but as the Crones stood there at half time about to play up the slope and against the wind with a mere three try to one advantage, you would be very wrong my friend.

Clapton had arrived at Ilford to find out that the referee had failed to turn up, luckily The Guvnor was in the squad and volunteered. His prize was to check over 30 pairs of Clapton boots (internal joke :-)).

Ilford looked a similar team to the club with not that much hair on show. Clapton were without the second row partnership of Big Kev and Jailboy who were both still hurty from last weekend.

The early exchanges favoured the home side as they retained the ball well while bulldozing their way into the Clapton twenty two. The visitors were defending frantically and finally after a couple of misdemeanours were able to clear their lines. As the half progressed the old boys started to get into the game with the backs especially finding success out wide. As with previous weeks Lobbo was to prove the difference between the teams as he raced in for two first half tries.

Clapton however were not having it all their own way and Ilford were unlucky not to score when there number eight had a clear run in but was scythed down only a yard from the line by a ferocious tackle from Potato, a tackle that Owen Loyne could only dream of making.

With only minutes of the first half left Ilford did manage to cross for a try to leave the half time score at 7-21. Half time changes were made with No Name replacing Marion von Dead Eye Twinkle Toes and Massive coming on for Ronaldo.

The first few minutes were going to be crucial and from a sneaky kick off away from the forwards the Old Men of Clapton went on the rampage. Ilford had no answer to the powerful running from both forwards and backs as Clapton notched up ten second half tries through Lobbo x 3 (5 in total for the day), LESLEY x 2, Cup Final, Damo, Sprolly Barks and No Name who crossed for his first ever Clapton try.(He has scored three against the club though) Des also kicked a conversion. The Wrinklies were in full Barbarian mode as Lobbo popped a perfect pass through his legs, Barks sliced a cross field for Sprolly to score and Massive increased his own record by having 6 of the opposing forwards hanging off him as he trundled up the field. Kenty also had an interesting afternoon making as many yards across the field as he did forward ones. I also think there is an invisible “Kenty wall” 5 yards from the opposing line as for the third match on the trot he could not get past it.

The only disappointing part of the day was the performance of Alex "Son of Russell" Coker who is currently finding the decreased pace of Extra a rugby a major issue.

The MOM wristband went to Cup Final who not only kept his guns in the holster this week is also getting married soon, aaawwwwwww.

Next week the Old Boys have a home game (hooray) when they entertain Rochford.