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Writtle Wanderers RUFC |
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Writtle Wanderers RUFC |
November 2005 Match Reports
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5th November 2005
A mixed and somewhat press-ganged team of Wanderers
travelled to Barking on Saturday to rub shoulders with the Jason Leonard’s of
the future and took on Barking 3rd XV. Whilst the Barking lads were
looking very impressive running through all their set piece the Wanderers seemed
more comfortable with a good old chit-chat and a game of hunt the shirt!
That said, it's what’s done in the game and not warm up that really counts and
right from the off the Wanderers showed they meant business. A fine
rucking and scrummaging performance almost throughout the game from the young
forwards ensured that Barking never quite got into their stride.
Particular credit must be given to "Old Man" Glen Richards (hooker) and his two
young sons (props Ian Douglas and Dickie Petherick) who were exceptional given
their lack of experience against such opposition. Giving our fantastic
back line plenty of opportunity to throw the ball around, the afternoon was
enjoyable for all and is testament to all those who participated.
In short a great performance by every single player, a clean flowing game
against a worthy and well respected opposition. Tries for Janes, Coyle and Jones
and some great kicking from Clark secured this very well deserved victory.
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12th November 2005
With an early kick off arranged to enable players to watch
the England v Australia international, the Wanderers travelled down to
Stanford-le-Hope knowing that they would have a tough game on their hands.
Prior to this fixture, the sides were sharing 3rd place in Essex 2, with
Stanford having a slight advantage in terms of points difference.
Pre-match preparations did not go that smoothly, with Stanford's changing
facilities having been transformed into something akin to Stalag 17 by the local
council in order to deter vandalism and break-ins! Unfortunately, no-one
had thought to provide a key to Stanford and they had to machine their way into
their own clubhouse! However, the fact that half the team had to change
outside whilst the other half squeezed into what is probably the smallest
changing room in the world did not do anything to disrupt the performance that
the Wanderers were about to give.
Changes to key positions, most notably seeing Tim Janes move
to scrum half and the so far try-less Steve Clark slot into the centres
alongside Mike Brown, meant that there was a different look to the side.
However, it was obvious that if the pack could set up a solid platform and
provide new fly half, John Nicolle, with good ball, it would only be a matter of
time before he unleashed the dangerous looking back line...
As it transpired, Stanford were first on the score sheets when the Writtle side
gave away a penalty in a kickable position. However, Clark replied for the
visitors with a penalty kick of his own, before the Wanderers pack began to
dominate the set piece. Captain Janes was thankful for this dominance,
which gave him a relatively comfortable afternoon and enabled him to feed the
back line plenty of ball. Every time the ball was passed out, the runners
looked dangerous and the first try of the game resulted from Clark showing his
pace down the left and feeding the scavenging openside, Andy Ross, who took two
men over the line with him.
Ross also got the second try, after a good break from Nicolle in midfield put
him clear to go in under the posts. Further instructions from the Club
Coach, Mark Rawlinson, urged the Wanderers to up the tempo of the game and this
gave Janes the freedom to tap and go on several penalties in dangerous
positions. He was able to feed the back line again, and safe hands put
centre Colm Coyle over in the right hand corner.
The second half started in much the same fashion as the first, with Stanford
getting an early score by way of a drop goal. However, they would need
much more than three pointers to get themselves back into this game, especially
as the visitors continued to dominate in the pack. The excellent forward
play enabled the Wanderers to play to one of their greatest strengths, but one
that had not, as yet, found its mark this season: the pace of Clark.
Not having scored a try yet this season, despite having probably playing some of
his best rugby, the club's leading all time scorer (721 points before this game)
has been frustrated all season by failing to cross the try line himself.
However, the seasonal duck was about to be broken in true Clark style - with
pace to burn he ripped apart the Stanford defence on three occasions to bag
himself a hat-trick of tries!
Veteran No.8, Jack Redfern, picked up a try after excellent scrummaging from the Wanderers' pack and Brown brought up the 50 mark for the visitors with a well worked try. Knowing that the game was won, the Wanderers relaxed a little too early and Stanford picked up a consolation try in the last couple minutes bringing the final score to 13 - 53 to Writtle.
Things seem to slowly be starting to come together for the Men in Orange and their next competitive game is in Round One of the Essex President's Shield, at home to Old Cooperians on Saturday 26th November.
Another trip to Coryton was on the cards for the 2nds this
week, unbeaten in their last 4 outings. On arrival, and learning the news that
their opponents had been up drinking until 5am, spirits were at an all time
high.
It quickly seemed as though the self abuse card from the Pegs hosts was a red
herring though, with them quickly into their stride despite numerous water
breaks. In fairness though the Writtle side made life hard for themselves with a
high error count and a lot of ball lost in contact. Writtle must work on these
aspects of their game if they are to progress in the John Adler competition.
Of note were the forwards who, despite a lot of spilled ball, turned over their
older and larger opponents. A fine rucking display was marred only by the
repeated turnovers giving Pegs a much needed lifeline and way into this game.
With the Eel, David Rowan, back to his finest after a spot of Winter sun the
backs looked lively. The majestic President rolled back the years with some deft
handling and excellent stepping, resulting in a deserved 5 pointer after 20
minutes. Adrian Blythe's conversion sailed over.
Pegasus looked like a team revived after the half, and some much needed
lemonade. They came back at the visitors with some excellent work from the fly
half who always proves combative and lively at these encounters. A sustained
display gave Pegs the lead 10-7 with around 25 minutes to go. All until some
robust play up front from back row, Martin Featherstone, Colin Jones and Gareth
Frensham led to the Haverfordwest Hornet streaking over for a fine try with
Rowan converting.
Cometh the defensive phase of the game and cometh the fatties, with the second
row bolstered by the Leviathan Chairman (Scott Taylor) in place of the svelte
Treasurer and Captain (Gary Hall). Writtle did well to hold out a Pegs side with
their tails up for the last 20 minutes and, eventually, deserved the win.
Nonetheless they must work on retaining ball in contact and handling skills to
progress further.
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19th November 2005
This game began as a bit of a shambles! With Maldon turning up with only 11 men, no members of the Wanderers "management" around until shortly before kick off and a no-show by the officially appointed referee, the game did not even get underway until 1.10! This meant that the game would have to be cut short to enable the teams to get over to the bar to watch the England v New Zealand game...
Writtle Wanderers started off by donating several veterans to Maldon, none of whom were unfamiliar with the blue and white hoops! Messrs Culleton, Pearce and Dawson all took a step back in time and pulled on the jersey of their old club! With another Maldon veteran, Dave Redfern, kindly offering to stand in for the absent referee, the match finally kicked off with the home side fielding a far younger side than anticipated - making up for a lack of experience with youthful enthusiasm!
Initial early sorties into the Maldon half gave way to a series of penalties, which saw the Writtle team marched back towards their own line! The referee, a gentlemen acknowledged as something of a master of the dark arts of the ruck and maul, was not going to let them get away with slowing down the Maldon ball and, with just 5 minutes on the clock, the visitors broke through for their first score.
The game continued to to and fro for a while as both sides appeared to be fairly evenly matched both up front and in the back line. However, it was the Maldon side that took a grip on the game on the 20 minute mark as yet more Wanderers infringing allowed them to apply the pressure close to the line and go in for a converted try. Things were starting to look a little rocky at 0 - 12 down!
However, Writtle are starting to show this year that when they are under pressure, they are capable of responding. Full back, Steve Clark, is well known for his running ability and, although he had had a quiet season on the try scoring front until last week's hat trick, he seems to be coming back into some form! On the half hour, a mazy run from deep in his own 22, through or round about half of the Maldon side, was only ended by a brilliant last ditch tackle in the corner from guesting Clacton flanker, Lee Amman.
Clark was able to finally get on the score sheet five minutes later when a Maldon infringement gave him the chance to put over a penalty kick. This was the final action of the half and as the sides turned round, the captains conferred with the referee and agreed that the second half would be reduced to 15 minutes so that the sides could relocate to the bar in good time!
With renewed determination, Writtle came out for the second half with the aim of continuing as they had ended the first. Bernerd Denenga, coming on at flank, made a great run through the middle, brushing off would be tacklers to set up excellent ball for the rest of the pack. The barnstorming blindside turned No. 8, John Smillie, was able to blast his way through for the touchdown to give Clark a simple conversion and close the gap to just two points.
Five minutes later, it was the chance of Clark to warm the cockles of the chilly spectators as he took another ball from his own 22 into the Maldon defenders. One incredible sidestep later, three would be tacklers lay on the floor and Clark was one on one with the fullback. He carved his way past to run in under the posts and score a memorable try, which he also converted to give the home side a 5 point lead.
If the last couple of paragraphs give the impression that Maldon were out of the game, this was certainly not the case! Their backs had continued to be dangerous throughout and they came back into things with some fine runs down the wing, one just halted inches short by a superb covering tackle from centre, Mike Brown, who had defended splendidly all day.
With the clock ticking down and Maldon trailing by five points, there was a suggestion that the referee may yet have a say in the result of the game! An infringement at a lineout gave Maldon a scrum ten yards out, which was moved infield to avoid a muddy area, coincidentally creating a nice blind side which one might have thought the visitors might have exploited. However, in rather unconventional fashion, the Maldon No.8 chose to pick up and go open and found the room to squeeze over for a try a little closer to the posts than one might have expected.
With the scores tied, the Maldon kicker, who had not really struck one terribly well all day, launched the conversion towards the posts. In the mist that was beginning to form across the Writtle fields, it was perhaps a little difficult to judge the exact line that the ball took and the referee decided that he had to give the element of doubt to the defending team and blew the final whistle with the sides drawn on 17 points apiece!
Special thanks to Dom Pearce, Sean Culleton, Graham Dawson, John Stimpson and Mark Dempsey for playing for the visitors on the day, and to Dave Redfern for stepping in to referee the game at short notice!
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26th November 2005
Five reports have been submitted for this game. I strongly suggest that you read them all to get a true flavour of the game...
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Report submitted by John Smillie
It was all down to the forwards. The end.
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Report submitted by Paul Read
From the off one could tell the Writtle Backs were going to
cause the Old Cooperians problems - breaking the gain line on a number of
occasions.
Every move the Old Cooperians made towards the Writtle try line were physically
halted in mid-field by Read and Battye. Regardless of the adverse and
blustery conditions the Writtle backs moved the ball wide, and were rewarded on
many occasions. Most notably Lloyd Hariram
who had an excellent game scoring 3 tries.
Steve Clark who's form has developed beautifully in recent matches. Clark
played outstanding rugby, carving through nearly
the whole Old Cooperians team and leaving him one on one with the opposition
full back. Three side steps later and Clark had left the
Old Coops Full Back standing, and was under the posts for one of his three tries
on the day.
Following a few changes in the second half, Mike Brown came into the inside centre, and John Nicolle into fly half. Whilst Mark Dempsey was given his chance to exhibit his speed, having been moved to wing. The Writtle Forwards displayed great physical rugby. Subsequently allowing the Backs a great platform to demonstrate their adroit skills; scoring all of Writtle's eight tries.
As the second half was drawing to a close, Writtle's seemingly resident 'sin binner', Sean Culleton, was caught on the wrong side of a ruck and given 10 minutes behind the posts. Alas, Wayne Simmons and Jack Redfern followed Culleton moments later. Each player received a brief soiree in the 'bin' for ceaselessly being on the wrong side. With 3 players sin binned, Writtle dug deep for what remained of the game. Yet the situation worsened when our Skipper, Tim Janes, was shown the yellow card for 'answering back'. The remaining 11 players showed great courage and pluck; most notably Matt Morris and Morgan Barrett, who managed to win a scrum against the head, and Writtle was able to clear their lines for a well deserved victory.
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Report submitted by Tim Janes
Solid platform from the Forwards, gave the ever improving scrum half, Janes the space and time to release the dangerous back line. Hariram and Clark looked dangerous all day, both netting a hat-trick. Also solid in defence...... Ask Paul Reed about his tackle - well attempt of a tackle if you want a laugh - no, you can't blame the gloves Paul.
Veterans Redfern, Culleton, Symons and Capitan Janes, all spent the last 10 mins in the bin, giving old coops a 4 man advantage, special mention to the remaining 11, who held out the visiting teams attack and also managed to get another score them selves.
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Report submitted by Matt Morris
A cold Saturday afternoon at Fox Burrows Lane saw the Writtle Winning Machine spark back up into action, something that has been strongly hinted at in recent weeks. The Forwards worked tirelessly to enable The Backs to look great, running rings round a tiring collective of Old Cooperians, who's physical fight died out and was rapidly replaced with increasingly half-witted bottom-of-the-ruck banter as the Wanderers scoreline accumulated steadily throughout the game. Eight tries from the Writtle backs - three from each of Steve Clark and Lloyd Hariram did the lion's share of the destruction, with the icing on the cake and decorative candle provided by John Nicolle, a demon in the number 10 shirt and the Flying Yorkshireman, Mark Dempsey who enjoyed a stint on the wing.
Writtle lost Jack Redfern and Wayne Simmons to the sin bin for minor offside offences after some strict refereeing on the 70 minute mark, but the author must express his mixed feelings about the dismissal of Sean Culleton merely seconds later (admittedly, the Wanderers losing their hooker and open-play pit-bull wasn't ideal, but then again it gave the rest of the players on the pitch a break from the bottom of his studs, Cooperians and Wanderers alike, as the author has the bruises to testify). The yellow carding did finally come to an end, but not before catching Captain Janes in its wake, for questioning the referees actions. So the remaining eleven calmly got on with the job of closing the game out, taking it all in their stride while gently winding things down to the final whistle. During that interim they managed to push the Cooperians scrum backwards with just six men, score their final try, and Paul Read even had time to put in the worst tackle of the clubs history to date - if indeed it can even be called a tackle - hilariously missing the Cooperians ageing winger before landing empty handed on their supporters sideline and thrashing about like a washed-up fish.
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Report submitted by Morgan Barrett
Although it was quite a game, with some very good tries coming
from deft work from the backs, the most memorable part of the game was the final
period of play which started after Graham Dawson, Jeremy ?, and myself came on
for what we though would be an easy last 20 minutes as the victory was already
secured. The opposition, however, upped the pace and for a tense period of
frantic tackling from the Writtle defenders, were camped in our 22. The first of
a number of penalties came from yours truly allegedly killing the ball in the
ruck. (I have the stud marks down my back to show for it). The opposition ran
the ball and after some sound tackling our carrot topped No.8 was penalised for
the same offence. This time, however, the offence occurred in the "red zone" and
resulted in the outraged Jack Redfern being Yellow Carded for the professional foul. Old Coop's again ran the ball, were tackled, and in the
resulting ruck the ball mysteriously popped up on our side. The ref
placed the blame on the veteran and crafty rucker, Wayne Simmons, who like his
ex-Maldon team-mate was Sin Binned. Awarded a penalty under the posts and now
two men stronger in the pack the visitors opted for a scrum. With superhuman
efforts from the ever enthusiastic Matt Morris and his tight five comrades, the
blue eight man pack was pushed back and their scrummaging advantage amounted to
nothing as the Wanderers won the ball against the head.
A clearance kick up-field and the resulting breakdown saw our imp-like hooker being sent to join his Yellow Carded team-mates for "excessive
use of the boot in the ruck". It wasn't thirty seconds later and our Captain was
shown the now well used card for questioning the ref's decision. The remaining 11 Writtle Warriors were not only able to keep the
15 opposition men at bay, but managed to hammer the final nail into Old Coop's
coffin by running in a final try after some brilliant tackling, quick thinking,
slick handling and all round superb skills from the sleet soaked Sin-bin
survivors. Was the try converted? It didn't really matter as even after the
restart the now demoralised visitors allowed the Wanderers heaviest player to
catch the ball at speed (well, relative) and Samoan-sidestep his way deep into
their defence with the never tiring Morris in support. The opposition were
relieved to hear the now familiar sound of the ref's whistle signal the end of
the game.
There is no match report for this game! 2nd XV Captain, Gary Hall, advises that the performance does not merit it!
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