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Writtle Wanderers RUFC |
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Writtle Wanderers RUFC |
April 2007 Match Reports
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Maldon 1st XV v Writtle Wanderers 1st XV
Essex 1
LOST 14 - 10
Scorers:
Try: Smillie
Conv: Clark
Pen: Clark
Man of the Match:
John Smillie
Two reports for you this week:
Report by Steve Clark
In weather better suited to cricket rather than rugby, the
Wanderers travelled to local rival Maldon for their final league game of their
maiden season in Essex Division One. With Maldon hosting a VP lunch prior to the
match and inviting distinguished club members from the Writtle outfit, a large
crowd added to the raucous atmosphere in this local derby. Only one point
separated the two sides at kick off with the winner assured of third spot in the
league.
The first half ebbed and flowed with Maldon opting to play a more forward
orientated game, contrasting with Writtle's desire to free their backs. Despite
holding on to the ball for longer periods, Maldon lacked a cutting edge and
could only muster two missed penalty attempts throughout the first 40.
It was Writtle that opened the scoring through a Steve Clark
penalty thanks to good work from Tommy Young. John Smillie was in
inspirational form and was at his destructive best as he caused constant
problems with his powerful running. From one such marauding run came the first
try of the game as he burst through three tackles to score. Clark's conversion
saw the visitors take a 10 - 0 lead into the second half.
The second half saw Maldon on the offence for large periods with Writtle seeming
happy to try and absorb the pressure. In an intriguing battle between the
forwards, Writtle appearing to have the better of the scrums but Maldon getting
the better of the lineout. With the Wanderers offering little in attack,
Maldon knew that the game was still there for the taking. Finally they
broke the shackles after good work down the right. Writtle committed
numbers to the ruck and leaving numbers wide on the left which Maldon exploited
to score a converted try.
As the seconds ticked by the game got more frantic and the heat and hard ground
was taking it's toll. With only a minute left on the clock, the Wanderers
must have thought they had done enough to claim victory. It was not to be
however. A misplaced kick saw the ball find it's way to the Maldon wing
who ran unopposed to the try line. As the conversion sailed through the
posts, the final whistle blew. Maldon the victors 14 - 10.
Despite the disappointment of this final game, Writtle must take much pride and
credit for their first season in Essex One. With injuries and availability
playing a large part in what was a tough start, the team has worked hard to
build on the ideas and direction of the coaches to put in an impressive second
half of the season, winning 6 out of 8 league fixtures. With a good pre-season
in the summer and now some experience of what to expect in this league, they
should go from strength to strength next season.
Report by John Smillie
The final game of a successful 1st season in Essex 1 saw
Writtle travel to old friends and rivals Maldon with both sides battling for 3rd
in the table.
Kicking off in very hot conditions Writtle looked the stronger of the two teams
making good ground from set ball and defending well. With the ball moving well
amongst the forwards and backs the Wanderers made steady progress into Maldon
twenty-two. Will Young was using the runners well off of 10. Smillie made good
yards up field, after breaking 3 would be tackles and off-loading to a
supporting Tommy Young Writtle found themselves on the Maldon 10 yard line
threatening a score. However Maldon were able to clear after a turnover ball at
the breakdown.
Maldon looked strong in the line out securing good ball and looked to use the
rolling maul to progress up field. Writtle struggled to control this and
eventually were penalised for collapsing. Luckily Maldon were unable to convert
from the resulting penalty.
More good defensive pressure from Writtle forced a line out for the men in
orange mid way between the twenty-two and 10 metre line. A good catch from Gary
hall at the back allowed Writtle to use their '2 ball ' with good effect as
Smillie once again gathered the ball to make vital yards. Good presentation at
the tackle allowed Writtle's centre Tim Janes to carry the ball even further
towards the Maldon score line. Good rucking from Writtle saw Smillie gather from
the back to power over for the first score of the game, this was converted by
Steve Clarke and gave the Wanderers a deserved
7 point lead. 0 - 7.
A frustrated Maldon attempted to rectify the situation before the half time
whistle with some strong running through the centre but strong defence from Mike
Brown and Tommy Young saw the first period close at 0 - 7.
The second period got underway with both sides looking strong but it wasn't long
before the game started to change. Both sides seemed to be affected by the heat
as silly penalties started to infiltrate the play. Writtle seemed to be the
worst offenders. Lack of support a the break downs appeared to be the main
problem and the ref had no option but to penalise for holding on.
Maldon used the kicks well to gain yards on the visitors and allowed themselves
time a space to run in a score of their own after 10 minutes of play. Converted,
this took the score to 7 - 10.
Feeling a bit hard done by after such a good 50 minutes of play Writtle looked
to regain control from the restart. However With number 8 Mark Rawlinson
sustaining an injury to his arm forcing a reshuffle in the pack Writtle looked a
little ruffled. Lack of discipline yet again saw Writtle conceding penalties,
resulting in the ref talking to both captains. Yet again Maldon failed to
convert from this pushing the ball just wide of the posts.
Lack of self control from Maldon's front row replacement shortly afterwards led
to a yellow card and a shoulder injury to Writtle's most consistent player this
year Wayne Symons. Tempers were fraying with both sides knowing that with only
15 minutes remaining any score could confirm a win.
Play was now very scrappy from both teams desperately trying to defend each
others score lines. With time closing in Maldon's Winger managed to out step his
opposite man to break clear. Looking certain to score and only 10 yards from the
line he some how managed to knock the ball from his own hands. Luckily for
Writtle good running from captain Tim Janes meant he was there to clear the ball
from his own twenty-two.
With such a let off Writtle were looking at a much wanted victory over the team
they lost top earlier on in the season. Not to be outdone Maldon launched one
more piece of attacking play. The ref had already indicated 1 minute remaining
so any form of interruption from Writtle would close the game out. However a
drifting Maldon centre drew his man well as he off-loaded to his winger. Good
pace gave him enough space to go round his man on the left to score under the
post. A deflated Writtle could only watch on as the final kick of the game took
the score to 14 - 10.
Roars from the crowd confirmed how much this meant to the home team who looked
on the back foot for most of the game.
A big thank you to Tim Janes who played his final game as 1st team captain.
3 very successful years.
Maldon 2nd XV v Writtle Wanderers 2nd XV
Friendly
WON 7 - 10
Scorers:
Try: McCarthy
Conv: Farrell
Pen: Farrell
Men of the Match:
Entire Team
Thank you gentlemen for a great effort on Saturday. It was a marvellous result, especially in that heat and considering the amount of fresh legs our opposition were able to bring on. I don't think there's any need to pick out individuals because everyone gave 100%, so as a bit of a cop out everyone gets the man of the match award this week!
See you next year for another great season!
Cheers,
Big John
Maldon Veterans Tournament
Report by Jack Redfern
Click HERE to see photos from the day, which are now published on PhotoBox. Photos courtesy of Wayne Symons...
Another milestone in the Wanderers' short history was made when the Veterans' XV made their first appearance at Maldon RFC Vets Tournament. The initial difficulty was finding anyone over 30, let alone 35 years old, at such a young club. However, with a little make up and a few comb over hair styles the team was founded.
The first game was to be against old friends/enemies/lovers (please delete as appropriate) Maldon. The game was end to end stuff with the crowd watching through the cracks of their fingers because of the excitement and ended in a 0-0 draw. The game also sadly had it first casualty when Writtle Vice Captain, Sean Culleton, had to leave the field with tummy ache. This might have occurred when a flurry of air punches at the opposition came to nothing and off he went.
The squad breathed a sigh of relief at the welcome sight of Graeme Dawson warming up. Next to go was Vice Vice Captain, Dick Battye, with what appeared to be a nasty broken finger-nail which had been affecting his kicking and he was soon followed by Wayne Symons who was finding the pace of the game hard going and confessed to being a little out of his depth at this level.
Able replacements were found with Bernie Denenga slotting in for Battye and David Redfern for Symons. The squad was now down to the bare 15 players and had to struggle on in heat more suitable for another game that is played in hot conditions. To their character, the side got on with things with no one mentioning all the cry off's.
Writtle had chances to win the game on several occasions, especially when Dave Rowan coolly stepped up for a penalty kick, which sadly went in the direction of the corner flag at knee height. Fortunately, a few words of encouragement from skipper Jack Redfern seem to help Rowan keep his head up. One outcome from the game was the Wanderers scrumming and defensive tackling was first class.
The next game was to be against our 2nd XV nemeses, Upminster Vets, but it was again Writtle that was to rue several missed chances to win the game. Yet again the score's ended 0-0.
With Maldon beating Upminster, Writtle were runners up in their pool which meant a semi-final against the other pool winners, South Woodham Ferrers Vets. Writtle started this game well, playing the majority of the game in the South Woodham half. A deliberate sliced kick from Mark "Compo" Dempsey, saw Alderton and Seager closing down the opposition and quick ball was shipped out to Neil Middleton who scored the first Writtle Vets points.
More pressure was applied by Writtle and a good passing movement saw Denenga in space. His pace took him away from any would be last tacklers and he ran between the post un-opposed - only to drop the ball! How we laughed at this error and with a ruffle of his hair and a little pinch on the cheek, Bernie ran off back to his position.
Another dancing run from Denenga was stopped on the South Woodham 22 line, but when he released the ball to Middleton, the winger went over for his second try of the game. South Woodham responded with a try late on, but Writtle closed the game down and secured their place in the final.
The final was to be against Maldon who were finding their form, notably through Jerry Wood and Steve Harris, with two good wins against Upminster and Mersea Island. The final was again a tense affair with both teams trying to gain the upper hand territorially, but good tackling saw much of the play take place between the 22s.
The heat and hard grounds were taking it out on the players, so mention must go to Steve Hall whose scrumming and loose play around the pitch were excellent and to Jerome Manson, who thankfully moves quicker around the pitch than when he is on his motorbike and whose tireless effort in all games was brilliant.
Maldon had a last chance penalty kick at goal for the game, but thankfully their kicker had listened to some advice from Alderton and Rowan and failed at his attempt. Full time was called and the game moved into extra time with 5 minutes each way. Writtle pressed hard but could not break down Maldon and the game drew to another 0-0 draw.
Sadly for Writtle they lost out on the count rule which saw Maldon take first prize. It was a brilliant effort by all the players involved in such harsh conditions and the fact it was the first ever turn out. Well done again to the players and a thank you to all the supporters who came along to enjoy the day. Next year, hey?!