Writtle Wanderers RUFC (Founded 2002)

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January 2003 Match Reports

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Thames  II v Writtle Wanderers 1st XV

WON 3 - 17

Scorers:
Try: Pins
Pens: Battye 4

The New Year kicked off against the charming backdrop of Aveley with the M25 traffic roaring past behind the dead ball line. With the early day frost just rising off the pitch and the wind howling in off Tilbury this was a game which the spectators were looking forward to as much as the players.

The visitors fielded a scratch side for this friendly game with a number of entrants from the 2nd XV making a good case for first team selection in 2003. The game got off to a slow start with a number of infringements from both sides leaving the referee with little option but to turn to his whistle. Unfortunately this was carried through much of the game resulting in a stuttered performance from both sides.

Thames opened the scoring after a careless handling offence by the Wanderers at a ruck just within the visitor's 22. The penalty was converted. These were to be the only points scored by the home side who carried a substantial weight advantage and fielded a number of substitutes as against the 2 used by the visitors.

This early shock led the visiting Tangerines to pull up their socks and get back into the game. Good pressure in midfield caused the visiting forwards to sit up and think about the threat posed by the likes of Smillie and Rowan who seemed to carve through the Thames defence like the proverbial hot knives. This pressure in midfield moved slowly toward the Thames lines resulting in the almost inevitable penalty which Battye converted to level the scores at 3-3.

The game then settled back into the midfield drudgery that dominated much of the game. There were occasional flashes of brilliance from Messo, who seems to improve week on week, and Pins, back after a 7 week lay off through work commitments. Smillie was also a revelation in the back row displaying some sublime handling and carrying the ball well to present his forwards with an easy support target. He was well supported by Wallbank who put in his usual solid performance until being replaced by Cansell after 60 minutes with a knee injury. The concern is that the stalwart Cumbrian will be out for next week's clash with Westcliff in the Shield quarter-final. The Wanderers are in the happy position, however, of having props to burn, and with the weather on this crisp Saturday afternoon dropping below zero your correspondent could have done with one or two to set fire to whilst waiting for the opening try to liven things up!

On the stroke of the half hour Messo and Pins looked to set the game alight with a deft move which left the defence at sixes and sevens. Pins, making a mazy run down the right wing, however managed to cross with Richards, playing out of position at inside centre. Although the referee allowed play to continue, inexplicably, until Pins was almost over to score, he then pulled the play back for the crossing penalty, much to the crowd's amazement. Thames, however we slightly over exuberant in their complaint and the penalty was promptly reversed for some inopportune comments. This led to a period of pressure whereby the visitors were almost encamped in the home 22.

The score did come after a 33rd minute penalty, with Battye in fine kicking form. Again Thames had only been able to repel the goal line pressure by infringing and with the Referee's whistle ever present this was duly punished taking the score to 3-6 to the visitors. From the kick off the ball was gathered by Redfern, who had a strong game at 8. The skilful pop to Smillie was all the open side needed and he scythed through the advancing defence to make fully 40 yards up on his opponents. Then, just as the move must surely die out, up popped Rowan from Fullback, just as one finds the unexpected tangerine at the bottom of their Christmas stocking. He gathered the ball, rolled off two defenders and gifted the try to Pins who ambled over the line to score the only try of the game. Battye having done so well with the previous penalties, failed to convert, probably still shocked by catching his foot in a "molehill" earlier in the half.

This signalled the start of yet another period of pressure for the home team. They were unable to provide and answer to the pace and unpredictability of the likes of Messo, Pins and Smillie. However this pressure came to naught save for a further Battye penalty which led the visitors into the break 14-3 to the good. The Wanderers must work on their execution if they are to succeed next Sunday however it is fair to say that there are a number of first team choices to re-join the squad for the cup-tie.

The second half continued in much the same vein but for the fact that the scores were almost non-existent. Thames attempted to exert their seniority and weight advantage. The home Number 8 jumped well in the line out but was too frequently spoiled by Guy, the second team Captain, jumping at 2 in the line. Wilkins also got into the swing of the lineout in the second half, only to be thwarted by the regular three man lines called by Thames.

The game almost degenerated into chaos as the Thames defence displayed their frustration at the ruck through vigorous use of the boot. The referee did well to control the situation but it did nothing to free the game up. The only score of the half was a further Battye penalty on the stroke of 60 minutes. Following this the game fizzled out with only one or two highlights, both from veteran 2nd team wing, Paul Arnold. First of all he linked delightfully with Redfern on the right wing to give the 8 a half chance at the try line. This was well snuffed out by the Thames defence. Within minutes, and no doubt buoyed up by his performance, he saw the gap and chipped ahead only to be beaten to the ball in goal by the narrowest of margins with the Thames 15 clearing up the kick.

On the whole this was a good performance for what was a scratch side. The failure to put the opposition away properly may cause concern for the selectors but this should be tempered somewhat by having a full squad to select from. The support looks forward to next Sunday's shield outing to Westcliff with some trepidation.

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Westcliff v Writtle Wanderers 1st XV
Essex President's Shield Quarter-Final

LOST 38 - 6

Scorers:
Pens: Battye 2

A full crowd attended at Aviation Way last Sunday to watch the Wanderers first real outing in the President's Shield against the much fancied and in form Westcliff. The hosts are currently sitting top of Eastern Counties 2 and must be favourites for promotion to EC1 next season. Westcliff also boast a mighty points difference of over 400 to the good.

It was bad luck indeed that the Essex New Boys should be drawn to face such a strong side at this stage of the competition, but undaunted by the home following and reputation of Westcliff, the Wanderers approached the game in the normal, calm, workmanlike manner.

After an extensive warm up by both sides during which time the third team pitch slowly thawed at last the game was on. Could the Tangerine Dream live on or would Westcliff rule the day? The Visitors playing in altered strip of black with orange started well beyond expectation. A series of surging short runs and hard tackling rocked the Westcliff side and they must have realised from the outset that they were in a proper cup-tie. The referee also displayed early on that he was taking a no-nonsense approach to the day and the whistle was much in evidence due to infringements by both sides.

The early massive pressure applied by the Wanderers began to show and as play moved towards the Cliff's 22 they could not resist having a fiddle in a ruck. The resulting penalty at 6 minutes in was well converted by Battye to the roars of following support who had braved to elements to attend.

The resulting kick off was well fielded by the visitors despite strong chasing from the home forwards. Strong running by the Wanderers back row pushed the ball into the Wests half and on towards the 22 again. Surely the penalty must come..... and it did on the stroke of 7 minutes. Battye again slotted the goal to run the tally up to 6-0 leaving the Westcliff side to regroup.

At this stage the visiting support could hardly believe the scoreline and it is fair to say that it appeared to steel the Wests into action. The hosts adopted a more no-nonsense approach to play for the first time in the afternoon with the fullback, who had a shaky start, coming into the line well as the game developed. Nonetheless the Wanderers defence held well with tackle after tackle being made in midfield by the surprise selection, David Rowan, Club President, playing at inside centre. Battye also had an excellent game in defence and it must be said that he is now playing better rugby than many remember from his younger days.

Some five minutes later however Battye turned provider for the hosts. With a clearance kick charged down by the exceptional Wests open side the path was open for the score, and it surely came after three more phases moved play to the near side of the pitch. The covering defence was, for once, found wanting and the overlap opened up for the easy try to the hosts. The conversion missed, the Tangerines remained in the lead by the narrowest of margins.

It was back, once more, to the solid defence work that the Wanderers displayed so well for the first half. Attack upon attack was repelled by the willing defence and this game was truly developing into a memorable display.

Another old warhorse finding a new lease of life with this young club is Sean Culleton. He captained the side well on the day and certainly led from the front as things hotted up around the breakdown. Making good use of his weight he was in at every ruck clearing up and taking the knocks it is testament to his skill and commitment that he keeps another excellent hooker out of the team for this cup tie. Glenn Richards was on the bench for this game in view of his ability to cover almost any position. It was a decision not taken lightly as Richards has captained the first team on 12 occasions this season so far.

The relentless flow of attack could not always break on the Wanderers defences and it was clear to all watching that something had to give. With the valiant defenders tiring by the minute gaps started to appear and as play moved well into injury time the home backs linked well up the left side of the field. Again gaps and overlaps started to appear and these were well exploited by the superbly drilled home backs supported by their pacey back row. The left wing had been itching to show his pace all day and he finally got the chance with the tightest of tries with seconds left on the clock. The home side went into the interval 10-6 to the good.

After a talking to at half time the Wanderers took the field again with the injured Rowan replaced by Messo, the mercurial wing, Janes taking over at inside centre. Sadly today was not to be Messo's day. The home defence snuffed out his every effort and he rarely had chance to run with the ball. As time ticked away the visitors were visibly tiring. The lack of training facilities at this new club took it's toll and the Wanderers were out on their feet but still battling.

The visitors absorbed pressure well in their own 22 for the majority of the half. The lineouts worked well with Wilkins performing well and his 2 jumping partner taking occasional ball from the massive Wests No.8. Nonetheless this pressure showed though and as play moved into the last quarter the home advantage and training facilities showed with a well worked move through midfield resulting in a Wests try in the 62nd minute. This was converted and one sensed that the Wanderers would have to pull something out of the hat to pull this tie back.

Sadly it was not to be and a further 10 minutes passed as the game slipped away. With the juice running dry in the tangerine tanks Wests were allowed to coast in via their number 8 for his first of two for the afternoon. An almost carbon copy followed short minutes afterwards with the floodgates well and truly open.

The afternoon was rounded off with the final score as the clock showed 77 minutes. Such was the excitement of this tie and the magnificence of the Visitors performance that the writer had to double take his watch, it seemed like only half an hour had passed. The looks on the Wanderers faces showed the true time however. They had defended well against a better drilled side with home advantage and it had taken its toll.

Battered and bruised both teams came off to a hero's welcome. It's hard not to be proud of a side that battled so well for so long against such impressive and well trained opposition. One can only wonder what the Wanderers can accomplish with proper training facilities, and hope. If there is a sponsor willing to assist in this he will surely be welcomed with open arms.

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Writtle Wanderers 1st XV v Phyllosans

WON 40 - 0

Scorers:
Tries: Tey 2, Bosman, Janes, Messo, Titch
Convs: Cooke 5

Less than a week after the biggest defeat of the season in the Quarter Finals the Tangerines turned out an under strength side against the nomadic Phyllosans. Only 5 from last Sunday's tie started the game with three more cup veterans on the bench resting. The young side turned out by the hosts looked at odds with the seniority of the visitors. This was to be a game of two differing styles, the question being would pace or experience rule the day?

In the excitement your correspondent lost his match notes however a records of scorers survived. The score timings may not be too accurate.

The game opened poorly with the hosts showing little of the skill and pace on display less than 7 days earlier. Poor handling from both teams left play rattling around the midfield with no real inroads from either side. When a break was made by either team it was all too easily snuffed out, not by hard tackling but by poor handling and a resulting scrum.

A will to kick was the other concern for the home sides. Playing the quick and youthful Cooke at 10 this week (Battye rested due to age!) the crowd would have hoped for an open display of running form. Instead they were treated to a display of his accurate, howitzer like, boot early doors until the play settled down.

Bosman went over for his first try in Orange after some wonderful support work around the 15 minute mark. He had latched onto the slipstream of the ever present Messo and took a delightful ball slipped inside to coast in for the opening try. Cooke had a near perfect game with the boot missing only one conversion from 6.

Play returned to it's previous lacklustre sheen after this moment of shining brilliance from the young South African and much of his time was spent tackling or picking the ball up from knock ons. There appeared to be a real lack of invention this week, understandable in part as this back line had never played together before the weekend. Nonetheless the next score did come with Janes coming into the line strongly and taking the pass from Cooke to cruise in under the posts, Cooke with the conversion.

Messo followed his example now and began to pick up the pace. He showed some sheer speed and the odd impetuous goose step to his opponents who were at a loss to deal with him. The end result was never in doubt as he sped in after what was a largely solo effort.

Janes blotted his copybook somewhat with an ugly little incident some minutes later. He was cautioned by the referee for a reaction to a stray Phyllosans elbow. Shortly after, however, halftime arrived in this game, shortened due to the visitor's late arrival. The score - 21-0 at half time.

A number of substitutes were made at half time with the Coach keen to see as many boys in action as possible. The mercurial centre pairing of Tey and Titch promised much but, sadly, for the most part delivered only more knock-ons. Nonetheless their form did come good with Tey showing true pace to go in from 30 yards out. Cooke was off target with this, one of his easier kicks. He did, however, get the chance to make good short minutes later as Titch turned on the gas to show Messo that he had some competition. He must have picked the ball up close to his own 22. A quick show to the closing defenders and he was around them like orange mercury. A quick burst of pace gave him the line and lost the remaining defence for a score under the posts and the added bone of 2 from Cooke's boot.

This was followed by what can only be described as a shambles. Having done the hard work the home attack found itself with a 3 man advantage with only 2 defenders to beat. As the play rumbled towards the posts the Captain, Richards, popped up well in support and gathered the ball in from a Messo pass. He was supported by Messo and Tey, two of the quickest boys on the pitch. Sadly Richards was tackled before he could offload and with an outside centre and wing to ruck the move sadly broke down. It was a prime score, missed by over complication.

Bidwell had a good game although he was nowhere near his surging best following a long Xmas lay off. It is fair to say that he struggled somewhat with his experienced opponent and took more than one head butt as the scrums closed. He eventually reacted, very uncharacteristically, with an elbow to the back of his opponent. He was subsequently replaced before his dander got any further up and replaced by Wallbank, finding his way back following a knee injury. The scrum appeared to settle, although Richards took several against the head with the able Bidwell and Gladwell in attendance.

Guy was the unlucky recipient of Wallbank's return. Guy, having stepped in to help the visitors after their Lock left the field, tried to take the ball up the short side once too often and came face to face with the smiling bald visage of Wallbank who rocked him in the tackle. It was the collision of the 2 Northern Rocks and one must feel for both players in this situation. Guy was still holding his neck later in the bar and may take a few days rest for a full recovery.

Matters were finished off in fine style with the unlikely Gladwell turning up in space. He threw a lovely dummy to his opponent and found himself in the prop's nightmare, open space. With nothing else to do but run Gladwell showed an unlikely turn of pace and fully raced almost 50 yards with a chasing pack. He was held up a yard short with the ever present Tey on hand to gather and score. It was a superb ending to what had been a less than impressive performance.

In games such as this it is so often the case that the Wanderers rely on sheer pace to win the day. They should be concentrating on group play and support rather than speed, as one day they will meet their matches and have to fall back on solid support and team play. For the time being, however, it is a spectacle to watch when it comes off. The Wanderers march on and will face a tougher test next week against Thames 1st at Aveley.

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Thames I v Writtle Wanderers 1st XV

WON 34 - 48