Upper Clapton Ex A 8 Ilford III 10

The club's unbeaten run of nearly 30 matches finally ended on Saturday as the Old boys were narrowly defeated in a tense league game against Ilford.

Clapton’s third team had earlier in the season posted over 70 points past Ilford but with no 1st team game for the Wanderers the Wrinklies were fully aware prior to kick off that this would not be the case today.

Clapton started well by keeping the ball tight and not allowing space for the dangerous looking and far younger Ilford back line. The early exchanges seemed to rattle Ilford as they continually questioned the (Society) referee's decisions. The ref finally losing patience and awarding Clapton a series of penalties. The club took the lead on the fifteen minute mark with a Potato penalty then extended their lead five minutes later when Youthful touched down after a powerful driving maul by the forwards.

As the half progressed Ilford began to assert some authority with neat handling from both forwards and backs. They firstly converted a penalty and then scored a try after their winger was given some space to outpace the Clapton defence. The conversion was made for Ilford to take the lead. By now tempers were fraid and the continual bitching from certain members of the Ilford team (scrum half and prop) took its toll with Piggy receiving a yellow card for a high tackle.

The half ended with Ilford in a narrow 2 point lead. Clapton made one change at half time with barks replacing Youthful on the flank.

Although there was no score in the second half Clapton did have the better of the territory and if Potato had packed his bloody kicking boots the Old boys would have been celebrating a memorable victory. Suffice to say Ilford held on to inflict only the second defeat this season for
Clapton’s Vets.

There were several positives to take from this game, non more than the emergence of Ed Lobbo who, like the shop keeper from Mr Benn, appeared out of nowhere and is now a key member of the Old boys back line.

The MOM medallion went to Mathew "Smelly" Kelley who, for a fat old bloke, put himself around the park like a wounded grizzly bear.