Scorers:
Tries: Clark 6, Culleton, Clackson, Redfern, Titch
Convs: Edwards 5, Clark 1

After months of planning and hard work the Wanderers finally got underway last Saturday with a Fixture Pool game against Upper Clapton 3's.  It is fair to say that the Wanderers could have handled the 2nd team on the strength of the performance however only the 3's were available at short notice.

The game was off to a frantic start with early pace showing on the part of the Essex new boys. Within 5 minutes Clark on the right wing had broken 3 tackles and run in for the first of his six try haul for the day leaving the home side shell-shocked.

Unfortunately early jitters on the part of Wanderers resulted in a stream of penalties against them. The enthusiasm shown by certain players boiling over into back-chat to the referee and playing offside around the breakdown. The Wanderers must deal with this less graceful aspect of their play if they are to be serious contenders for the Eastern Counties Leagues next season.

Some fine converting from the flank-turned-fullback Warren gave the visitors the confidence they needed and the tries started to flow despite some of the team being a little ring-rusty after the Summer break. The simple tactic of spin-it-wide showed and the home side were at a loss as to how to deal with the electric pace shown by the visiting right wing. It is a shame that he has to leave in October on his travels however on the strength of his performance last Saturday the Wanderers will be keeping his place warm for return at the start of next season.

Tom at fly half had yet another strong game marshalling the backs from the 10 spot. To crown his game he darted in for a short range score mid way through the first half. Other fine performances were put in by debutantes Redfern and Culleton with a try apiece in either half. Titch ran in a fine effort from outside centre having dummied and fended three opponents and his own left wing.

A great opener to what should be a great season.

Scorers:
Tries: Redfern, "Titch", "Pins"
Convs: Batty 3
Pens: Batty 1

As the scoreline suggests, Cheshunt provided much tougher opposition than Upper Clapton.  The Wanderers were maybe a little flattered by the previous outing, and were not tuned into the game when Cheshunt's strong centres broke through to open the scoring with a try in the opening 10 minutes.

However, after the kick up the backside that this caused, the forwards knuckled down to some hard graft, and the Wanderers were rewarded around halfway through the half when Jack Redfern slipped a tackle and ran in from 30 yards out.  Dick Batty, on his debut, assumed the kicking role and put over the conversion.

The teams swapped ends with the scores tried at 7 all.  Early on in the second half the Wanderers captain for the day, Glen Richards, asked Batty to go for three points after Cheshunt had been penalised in the ruck.  Batty duly obliged to give the Wanderers an important 3 point edge.

A try from "Titch", playing a good game at fly half, followed a series of penalties for Cheshunt infringements whilst defending their line from Wanderers forward pressure.  However, Cheshunt came back strongly to reduce the deficit to 3 points again with another try following Wanderers foul play.

A spot of handbags saw Wanderers hooker Sean Culleton and a Cheshunt centre sin-binned for 10 minutes.  Once both were restored to the field, Joe "Pins" eased the pressure after taking a scoring pass from one of the Wanderers elder statesmen - Jon Horne - following a break down the left.

In the final minutes Cheshunt kept up the pressure, but the Wanderers defended to a man - with a particularly memorable try saving tackle being put in yards short of the line by "Pins" and Ben Messo.

Mention should also go to debutant scrum half Jerry, who put on a good show following several years away from the game!

The bubble had to burst eventually and it did last Saturday in remarkable style at Romford.

The visitors never looked in the game with the pitch as hard as a car-park and a Romford side packed full of experienced forwards and pacey young backs. Conversely the visitors had cobbled together a backline with 2 of the players nursing long term injuries and many people playing out of position. A special mention to Glenn Richards as the captain and only man willing to take on the 10 shirt. A brave performance failed to reel in the home backs as they sliced through the gap created by his inside centre like the proverbial hot knives.

Romford opened the scoring after only 7 minutes with an opportunist try down the right side of the pitch. A further 4 followed, 2 in each half, and Romford can only lament the absence of a proper kicker which would have carried the home score into the mid-30's. The gifted Wanderers Scrum Half left the field after only 20 minutes and will now face 2 months on the sidelines with a dislocated shoulder, yet another victim to the ground conditions.

It was largely testament to the visiting Forwards that all tries were scored by the Romford Backs. The Wanderers pack performed well in the set piece taking a number of balls against the head and with Wilkins at 4 stealing opposition ball on several occasions. The only score in reply came late into the 2nd half with Wallbank picking up deftly from the opposition ruck and diving over from 5 yards out. Lampshire failed to convert but the visitors had at least regained some pride.

Unfortunately there was little invention outside for which a number of players could carry the blame. Unfortunately those blameworthy players were the ones that chose not to play in Saturday's game and those selected must ensure that they make themselves available rather than ignoring telephone calls and choosing to contact the club whilst it's players are travelling to an away game. This lack of interest does the club no favours and certainly casts those involved in a very bad light. The Committee meets this Tuesday and no doubt this is one topic they will wish to address.

Next week the Wanderers face unknown opposition through the fixture pool. As it is it's very much a lottery as to who chooses to turn up on the day - for both opponents and home players!!