Writtle Wanderers RUFC

Writtle Wanderers RUFC
(Founded 2002)

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Writtle Wanderers 1st XV v Colchester IV
by Martyn Howarth (Match Notes taken by Dave Rowan)

WON 43 - 15

With plenty of time to warm up for this game and the visitors' late arrival at Writtle, one would have thought that the home side would have had an immediate advantage at the kick off! However, it was the men from up the A12 who started the game with a lot more hunger and the wind at their backs!

As the hosts have done on a number of occasions this season, there was a very subdued demeanour to their play from the first kick off. Colchester took advantage to impose themselves in the Orange half of the field and, with only 3 minutes on the clock barged their way over for their first try to take an early lead. One might have hoped that this would wake the Wanderers up, but just 6 minutes later the visiting centre took advantage of 5 missed tackles to run his way through the Wanderers' lines and score under the posts. Surprisingly, the easy conversion was missed, but Colchester now had an ominous 10 point lead after just 10 minutes - and with 30 minutes more play with the strong breeze at their backs, it did not look good for the Writtle rabble!

An injury to the useful Anglia flanker, Marc Congdon, saw a little more weight and experience brought in to the Wanderers' back row, in the shape of your correspondent. For the next 20 minutes, the Wanderers were able to hold the Colchester attacks. Fine scrummaging (something that we almost take for granted now) and good lineout work (Albert Hess and Matt Morris to the fore) meant that Colchester were starved of the possession they had had in the opening exchanges. As the Wanderers started to use their possession more and more it looked only a matter of time before a score came.

Just after the half hour mark, the ball was whipped down the back line towards Jon "Knock-on" Williams. To cheers from the crowd (and possibly one or two players) he took the ball and dived for the line - only to have the ball spill out before he grounded it! To be fair, it was probably knocked free in the last ditch tackle - and he is getting closer and it can only be a matter of a couple of games before this keen and regular member of the team gets his debut score!

Just five minutes after the near miss, the Wanderers were finally rewarded for their pressure when the front row won a Colchester scrum and Ant Rantell was able to pick up and muscle his way over for a well deserved score. For a man who 5 minutes earlier had look set to pass out (as a result of a rather heavy Friday night out) it was some turnaround! Clark converted to reduce the deficit to 3 points. Going into half time at 7 - 10 was a good effort into the wind, especially considering the appalling first 10 minutes!

The second half saw a much better shape to the Wanderers' game. With the wind behind and some good use of tactical kicks to keep the visitors in their own half, it was not long before the home side were able to take the lead - a try by No.8 Hess breaking off a 5 metre scrum and powering through to score. Clark was unable to convert, but the Wanderers now had the lead, 12 - 10.

It was ten more minutes of pressure before the next score - this time a rather tardy first appearance on the score sheet for Tim Janes! With the wind at his back, he scythed his way through the Colchester ranks to score under the posts and give Clark an easy conversion. A Clark penalty 10 minutes later took the lead to a far more respectable 22 - 10, and with the visiting side starting to tire and their heads starting to drop, it looked as if the Wanderers were now going to dominate the remaining 20 minutes.

However, all credit to the visitors who managed to raise themselves for one last effort. A series of penalties allowed them to make their way close to the home line and, after passing the ball out wide a couple of times they finally stretched the Orange lines to breaking point and were able to touch down for an unconverted try. 22 - 15.

This was to be the final wake up that the Wanderers required and the last 10 minutes saw some great individual play! Following the restart, Colchester put in a clearance kick, which Clark took at full stretch and pace out towards the left touchline. Showing his blistering pace and great strength, the flying fullback rounded the first man, diced with touch and then broke through several attempted tackles to score and convert.

Colchester restarted with a cheeky kick to the backs, but from the ensuing melee around the half way line, Man of the Match Rantell broke free with the ball and raced in unopposed for his second try. To round things off, Janes collected his second try too as the Colchester side finally ran out of steam. Clark converted both scores to bring his individual tally for the game to 18 points and the final score 43 - 15.

Scorers:

Tries - Rantell (2), Janes (2), Clark, Hess
Convs - Clark (5)
Pen - Clark

The penultimate game of the season saw a weakened Writtle side up front following a gruelling tour of Belgium the week before. Having brought home the runners up trophy in a strong tournament, no tries conceded and with confidence at an all time high, this side must have been up for any opposition despite the failings in the front row union.

Sadly the same cannot be said of the Captain's neck. Having suffered a painful spasm on the morning the Hooker turned up looking more like a Notre Dame bell ringer than the scrummaging maniac the club has come to love. As such a hasty re-arrangement with relative front-row novice, Mr M Howarth, stepping into the fold. Your correspondent took his position (rather
unwillingly) on the bench as nominated front row substitute with the erstwhile Wallbank moving to 2.

Southend had taken the opportunity to field a side of monsters from 1-8 with no small amount of pace outside them. The game started strongly with both sides showing their attacking class only to be cut down by a similarly fierce display of defending. Notable during this period was the dogged determination of Wing Staunton, who played out of his skin for the first stanza until a half time replacement. This starry-eyed son of the soil has come on leaps and bounds this season since joining from Ongar and the club will be looking forward to further improvement during the close season. The back row also functioned well with Sizer at open side. His stocky frame belies his skill off the ball and he covered ground well in the first half until being moved into the boiler-room with Man of Tour Morris for the second half. Szyczak was his usual prickly self and one must look forward to seeing him in league action next year.

With play centred around midfield it took a moment of defending brilliance to force the score. With the Southend attack disrupted in midfield the loose ball was hacked on with Clark giving chase. He used all his soccer talents to chip ahead, a kind bounce being gathered on the line for the opening try.

The excitement of attack over the game reverted to the excitement of defence with astounding tackling in the centres and strong support work from Shields and Hess at 6 and 8 respectively, Hess notably for his bravery and control at the back of a scrum that at times seemed to move in reverse gear only. All further attacks were snuffed out and the seasiders repelled, despite the Wanderers' Lineout and Scrummage spluttering to find first gear with the disrupted selection. The Writtle Wonders taking their 5 point lead into half time.

Come the second half and come Rantell and Messo. Pace aplenty added to the side the Orangemen looked forward to a wildly attacking half. Sadly it was not to be with both sides concentrating on breaking each other down in midfield and forcing the error. Despite some sharp runs from Clark, Messo and Iles, the Wanderers could not break the Southend line. McKenna and Janes worked well of each other at 10 and 12 however tries were to be at a premium for this encounter.

Noting the floundering Howarth and needing to inject pace, vision and brilliance into the game, the Management took the brave step of inserting a quaking Taylor into the front row for his first game at prop for over 2 years. With the scrums still going backwards it was hard to see the difference however a marked turnaround came in the lineout with Morris and Hess able to beat their opponents for almost the first time in the game. This turn of events almost led to a drive over try from the Orange, as good a display of rolling maul play as was seen all year came to naught with the referee unsighted and Shields cruelly robbed of glory.

With things moving into the last 10 minutes nerves started to jangle however virtuoso performances from Theobald and Horne in the loose soon calmed racing hearts and secured good attacking ball. A scrum midfield looked sure to give either side attacking possession. The way the tight had been going all game one fancied Southend to capitalise and break orange hearts. Somehow Rantell managed to break loos and snaffle Southend ball. It was flipped to Man of the Match Hess who ran a full 50 yards to score under the posts and give Clark the 2 points he had been looking for. With both teams out on their feet the final whistle came and no small relief and the Wanderers must now royally stuff up against Upminster next week to throw away the Merit Table title.

So bring on the final game of the season and the 1st and 2nd place showdown between Writtle and Upminster. With everything to play for, and club pride running high, this is sure to be a vintage weekend with port flowing. Let's hope the Chairman can manage to stay off this pitch this week and make things easy for the team!

Scorers:

Tries: Clark, Hess
Conv: Clark

Man of the Match - Albert Hess

Searing heat saw the Orange turn out for the last game of the 2004 season. With league rugby to look forward to next year the Wanderers were keen to finish on a high note. The final twist to the plot was that this match was the season decider. With both teams within grasping distance of the Merit Table title, this was sure to be a contest to relish. Upminster had the daunting task of beating the Wanderers by 69 clear points to take the title, with a win or draw sealing it for the home side.

Nerves showed early with Upminster conceding a penalty from the kick off. Clarke opened his account to take an early lead at 3-0. From the restart the Wanderers similarly transgressed to concede 3 points and level the scores within 4 minutes of the starting whistle.

From then the sides seemed to settle. With the Tangerines battering down the Upminster defensive line and both packs evenly weighed things looked set up for a tough match. Just as the capacity crowd was about to lose interest the scoring started. And how it started with flawless lineout work leaving Rantell to follow his pack over for an easy 5. As the port started to flow touch side, tempers started to fray with the visitors and supporters.

The scoring picked up following this opening taster. Due to the theft of my score sheet I am unable to properly depict the afternoon's events. Needless to say the Pack stood up well to their senior opponents. Some faultless lineout and scrummage work saw Rantell and Hess capitalise further, whilst invention in the backline saw Janes pick up 3, with Clark over for a solitary try. He did his top-scoring lead no harm though, with a further 15 from the boot, 6 conversions and a penalty.

Despite the usual plaudits for the backline, several key members deserve highlighting. Battye continued his imperious tour form cutting swathes through the visiting infield. This type of attack was made possible by the key interplay of Szyczak and Dempsey at 9 and 10. The halfbacks should be available for league rugby next season and it is due in part to their work rate that the side look forward so confidently. Brown played well out of position and relished the challenge upon Battye's departure to slip back into the centres. Finally Nick Iles. Rumour has it that he will depart the club next season as he moves to pastures new. Although he didn't get hands on the ball this week his tackling and cover rate is immense. He will be a sad loss to the Wanderers if the rumours prove true.

Moving up the weighing scale now, the front row performed excellently. Theobald is savouring his rugby at the moment, it has been a long hard path but he is now looking forward to Saturdays and the challenge of close quarter combat. Likewise Richards, the departing Captain. What a servant to the club this man has been in the past 2 years. He has sacrificed almost every Saturday for 2 seasons to make the club a success and the League entry will come as much as a relief as a challenge for him. With Wallbank there is little one can say that isn't spelled out in blood and guts every Saturday afternoon (and Friday night sometimes). His skill, fitness and commitment are second to none.

With Matt "Witch" Morris in the second row played Shields, veteran of 1000 clubs and the quiet man of the pack. Although a blind side flanker by trade he did the club a big favour moving up a row this week. His vision and an almost Dean Richards-esque ability to be at the breakdown every time, make him such a valued member of the side. His Lock partner has also risen to prominence this season after a long lay off. He has returned to the field after a shaky start and is playing out of his skin. One must hope he buys a pair of tracksuit bottoms for next season, come November shorts on the sideline just don't cut it.

And to the back row. Hess at 8 started the season late. What a blow not to have him for the whole of next year. The big man from the Dark Continent has been an impressive force this season as some of his solo scores show. His pace and power are second to none. When teamed up with Rantell they are an impressive duo. Rantell returns to the game at the season's end having played Hockey for Dunmow almost all season. With the commitment and skill on display this youngster must surely be a County Prospect in the near future, and at only 23 time is very much on his side. Completing the merry trio is Dave McKenna. Boyzone cast off and all round good egg. A great utility man but truly at home in the number 6 shirt. Writtle are in a fantastic position with so much back row talent, even with Howarth, Taylor and Rowan on the bench!

Of the replacements the pick was Williams. Coming on late to make an impact he almost secured a try (his first) with his first touch of the ball. He was sadly let down by the forward pass from Horne, another benchwarmer who seems evergreen despite his advancing years. Dawson ably coped with the challenge up front coming on to relieve a heaving Theobald with Sizer, again in unfamiliar territory, moving in at lock for the tiring Shields.

Mention is also deserved to the uncalled for substitutes. These people are so very important to a club like this. Without their support and time each week the club would be nowhere. Make no mistake - a team isn't just 15 men. This team has consisted of no fewer than 50 men all season. Sometimes they are disappointed not to have played, but this never stops them coming the week after with boots in tow. With a 2nd XV planned for next year there should be sport for all. A little push and a bit of interest from some of the wavering players and the 2nd XV will leap into action. So congratulations and thanks to Paul Arnold, Chris Sullivan (who actually didn't want to get on), Donal Staunton and Martyn Howarth. Without you lads we would be nowhere.

Who next - the support. With Mr & Mrs Prile in attendance together with various luminaries from the local scene this would always be a well attended match. Without people to watch and cheer teams on, Saturday sport sometimes lacks atmosphere. It was here Saturday in shovels. Upminster had strong travelling support and hats off to them for making the journey. Home support was magnificent and long may it continue. The more come down on Saturdays the more the club will grow. Everyone is welcome.

That about wraps it up for this year. Bit sparse on the match detail but you get the picture. Just cut and paste any few paragraphs from this season's reports and they are all more or less the same. "Wanderers midfield slice through defence...." " Hat-Trick for Janes..." "Lineout Colossus..." "Howarth, Taylor and Rowan played like Gods......."

Thanks for taking the time to read this every week. Must be as bad for you as it is for me. Otherwise see you all on the 21st May - Dinner and Dance at the County Hotel, 7.00 kick off. Failing that watch this space and follow our progress through the Essex leagues in 2004/2005.

Scorers:

Tries - Janes 3, Rantell 2, Clark, Hess
Pen - Clark
Convs - Clark 6

Man of the Match - Dave McKenna