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Writtle Wanderers RUFC |
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Writtle Wanderers RUFC |
September 2005 Match Reports
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The first outing of the new season saw Writtle Wanderers take on local rivals, Chelmsford, on a blisteringly hot day at Fox Burrows Lane. Chelmsford, who play their league rugby in London NE 4, fielded an almost full strength 1st XV from the kick off, but the Wanderers were able to rise to the challenge and meet the power of Chelmsford's pack head on.
Although lacking experienced players in several positions, the home side defended superbly against the heavier Chelmsford pack. Time after time the boys in orange were able to turnover vital ball as Chelmsford's forwards tried to break through and Chelmsford's backline struggled to put together any fluent moves to outflank the Writtle backs.
On the half hour mark, a fantastic try-saving tackle by second row, Jerome Manson, kept out what looked like being Chelmsford's first try as he wrapped up man and ball over the Writtle line. However, a few minutes later the Chelmsford scrum half managed to wind his way through a gap in the defence and beat Writtle full back, Steve Clark, to touch down in the corner for a converted try. The final moment of the half saw Clark miss a penalty opportunity and drinks were taken with the score at 0 - 7.
Half time saw a number of changes, with Chelmsford replacing many of their 1st XV players with 2nd XV regulars. The Wanderers did not have the luxury of so many replacements, but made a few changes of their own in the pack. However, with Chelmsford having the advantage of fresh legs, the home side knew that they would have to keep up the pressure in the 2nd half if they were to take control of the game.
With the Writtle pack now beginning to dominate in the tight, and Jack Redfern switched to scrum half, the Wanderers' backline started to see more ball. New wing, Simon Love, got the chance to show that he has pace and skill in abundance with a great run down the right hand flank and then a deft in-field kick, which was caught on the full by flanker, Lee Amman, who was then able to touch down for the score. Clark converted to bring the scores back level.
The Wanderers' next try saw skipper, Tim Janes, show that he hasn't lost his step and pace over the summer. Despite playing in the unfamiliar role of fly-half, Janes was able to find a hole in the Chelmsford line and race in under the posts for another converted try. With Chelmsford having little answer to the pace of the home sides backs, it looked like Writtle might run away the game, but the heat was beginning to take its toll on many players and regular replacements meant that the Wanderers had to reorganise.
The try of the game, and an early contender for try of the season, was started by Redfern deep in the Writtle twenty two. From scrum half he fed to Steve Clark who turned on the afterburners and made a break up the right flank. Clark offloaded to winger Love who carved back inside deep into the Chelmsford half. The ball made its way through the hands of several more players before finding Redfern in the left hand corner for a spectacular try applauded by spectators and players on both sides.
A second try for Amman, following some powerful forward runs up the middle of the field, completed the scoring for Writtle. As the players tired in the final few minutes, Chelmsford managed to convert good pressure down the blind side into an unconverted try to bring the final score to 28 - 12. Tim Janes was voted Man of the Match for his control of the game from the fly-half berth.
This was a fine start to the season for the Writtle Wanderers who face Colchester 2nd XV next week as they build towards their RFU Powergen Junior Vase debut at home to Hitchin RFC on 17th September. Essex 2 league action begins on 24th September, away to Loughton. For more details on games and news about the club, check out the website at www.wwrufc.org.
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This early in the season, it is often difficult to raise the number of players needed to field two full strength teams. However, with the 2nd XV having their first BL Merit Table game of the season and the 1st XV due to face Hitchin next week in the Powergen Junior Vase, we stretched ourselves to give all players a good run out. This meant that the 1st XV took a minimum 15 men into the East End - and that was including Club Coach, Mark Rawlinson.
The Barking Development XV are ranked as stronger than their 3rd XV, so with Barking being a National Division 2 club, we knew we were going to be up against tough opposition even with a full strength side. The game started with both sides testing one another out in the tight and Barking attempting to use their young backs to break through the Writtle defence. However, sound tackling from the Wanderers managed to contain the breaks and things were looking very even as the game started to take shape.
When fly half, Tom Clackson, twisted a knee in the first quarter of the game, the Wanderers were reduced to 14 men and Rawlinson was forced to switch from wing to fly half. But, not to be deterred, the visitors managed to work their way into the Barking 22 and win good lineout ball. With great control, the pack mauled their way towards the try line and Jack Redfern managed to touch down amidst all the boots in the left hand corner. Steve Clark's touchline conversion appeared to have fallen just short, but the referee's notepad at the end of the game had it down as creeping over to give the Wanderers a 7 - 0 lead against the odds. Another injury, this time to John Smillie, Writtle's blind side flanker, made things even tougher, but the 13 remaining hung on to their lead as the referee blew for half time.
The second half got underway with Barking looking to spin the ball wide and exploit their extra numbers. Eventually this paid off as they crossed for an unconverted try. The Wanderers were still holding their heads up and making many fine try saving tackles - in particular from Clark and Man of the Match, openside flanker Colin Jones - but things were about to get worse as second row, Jerome Manson, was forced to retire following a nasty blow to the face.
The pressure that Barking were exerting led to Writtle testing the referees patience and finally he dished out his first yellow card. Despite the return of the injured Smillie, Writtle were beginning to find it difficult to cover all the gaps in their lines and Barking were able to score their second and third tries to take a firm grip on the game. A further yellow card for a late tackle in the last few minutes gave Barking the chance to score a final try and the game finished with Writtle losing 22 - 7.
Despite the scoreline, the game will have certainly helped to improve the match fitness of those who took part and Writtle can now look forward to their debut game in national Powergen Junior Vase at home to Hitchin next week.
The Writtle 2nd XV kicked off their season against one of the
strongest opponents they are due to face all year in Upminster Vets. Fielding
quite a novice back line against such an experienced line of ‘elder statesmen’
Writtle were always set to struggle and it soon became apparent that the game
was set to become a damage limitation exercise.
That said great encouragement can be taken from how the forwards battled up
front, not giving in inch to Upminster and competing particularly well in the
line out and scrum. As the match progressed the whole team worked well and were
close to scoring on a number of occasions. A great platform to build from we can
expect a lot more from them once match fitness comes to fruition. In particular
great to see the likes of Rob Shields and Andy Ross back battling up front.
To summarise, just a bit to strong for Writtle this time around. Final score
42-0 to the home side, but watch out Upminster, we’ll be back!
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A very depleted Writtle Wanderers 2nd XV managed to field 11 men this week and knew it was going to be a struggle to hold a Southend team made up of experienced veterans and sprightly youngsters. Despite the return to Wanderers colours of Albert Hess and Benson Messo, the makeshift team could not hope to defend their lines and the only highlight was a length of the field try by Messo.
The club must hope for the return of more players as we get further into the season, and hope that more 2nd XV regulars will be able to attend club training on a Thursday evening so that they have a chance to practice together.
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With Witham 2nd XV crying off on Friday morning, Writtle Wanderers notched up their first BL Merit Table victory of the season by default without even having to get their boots dirty! In place of the Merit Table game, a tough friendly was arranged against Bancroft 2nd XV...
Disappointment Leads to Promise
The only real disappointment in this game lay in the fact that if a couple of
things had gone slightly differently, things could have been so different. An
unfamiliar and, in certain positions, highly inexperienced team could so easily
have beaten a team currently competing two divisions above. From that Wanderers
must take much heart.
The highlight of the early exchanges saw Titch Chiramba use his deceiving pace
to make a 60 yard break from well inside his own half only to be brought down in
the Bancroft 22. Although the Wanderers three quarters looked capable of
breaking the Bancroft line in the early exchanges, the tendency to move the ball
sideways impeded any real penetration.
Other than Glen and Steve Richards deciding to travel to Witham from the meet at
Writtle instead of in entirely the other direction, and therefore delaying kick
off, the other comedy moment came 15 minutes into the first half. After having
eluded some desperate tackling from the Wanderers outside backs, one of the
Bancroft players spent a little too much time with the ball in his hands over
the Wanderers try line. The Bancroft celebrations turned to groans as the
jubilant player proceeded to drop the ball. A let off for Wanderers.
It was clear from the outset that Wanderers had the edge in the set piece. Both
the scrummage and lineout, with a strong display from Matt Wilkins, appeared to
be easy pickings throughout the first half, opposition ball regularly appearing
on the Wanderers side.
Following a sustained period of pressure, the Bancroft side again missed an
opportunity to go in front. Strong Wanderers defence holding the player up over
the try line.
The turning point in the game came during what can only be described as a 'Hand
bags on the floor' type of altercation, during which the referee spotted Mark
George politely spanking one of the Bancroft player across the face with the
open side of his well manicured hand. This affectionate exchange earned Ms
George a yellow card and unfortunately triggered a collapse in the Wanderers
resistance to what had become sustained attack.
During the remaining 8 Minutes of the first half the Bancroft side scored 19
points. The first try came on 35 minutes from the unfortunately named Smudger. A
strong run combined with some ineffective tackling resulted in the opening try
(Not converted). The second came after what one supporter call an 'Awesome' move
which included 9 passes for Adams to score near the posts (Converted). A further
try and conversion were scored before the break.
Unfortunately, the highly influential Bernard whose tackling was a sight to
behold (in a positive sense), was helped from the field feeling the effects the
4 tackles he had made in the previous single passage of play. Bernard's requests
for some 'back row action' had previously been dismissed as a schoolboy fantasy,
but on this evidence he's been proved right all along. This position certainly
suites the kind of tools he possesses.
An expressive, motivating and unusually eloquent half time talk by the Captain
Gary Hall encouraged his side to greater self-belief and a more direct approach
in the second half. He also mentioned the unnecessary criticism levelled by some
at their team-mates, reminding his players that encouragement and support is a
far greater motivational tool.
The Skipper's talk evidently hit home as Wanderers became far more
confrontational and direct in the second half. The use of the short penalty and
the heavier forwards driving into the Bancroft defence seemed to give the
Wanderers team more confidence. Breaks again by Titch Chiramba and the evergreen
Dave Rowan saw Wanderers into their strongest faze of the game so far. As the
match wore on, it became evident that the teams were far more evenly matched
than the score line suggested, neither side being able to take hold of the game
with both defences cancelling each other out. Finally on 65 minute Bancroft
broke away to score the try of the match, moving both way across the field,
stretching the Wanderers defence to breaking point, scored by their second row
out wide on the left and converted well.
Despite the setback the Wanderer's heads never went down as they continued to
put much pressure on the Bancroft defence. The line held wave after wave of
forward charges with both Mark George and John Stimpson willingly placing their
bodies on the line in an attempt to get over the line for the consolation score.
It was not to be. Bancroft were victorious.
I could understand those who didn't see the game saying that the difference in
the respective league positions was clearly indicated in the finally score line.
That's as maybe, but if you were there, it was clear to see that these two teams
were not that far apart on the day. But for a couple of moments of indiscipline
and, it must be said, inexperience, things may well have been different. Either
way, Wanderers have nothing to fear during the coming season's BL League
Fixtures.
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