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Writtle Wanderers RUFC |
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Writtle Wanderers RUFC |
October 2006 Match Reports
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Old Tottonians 1st XV v Writtle Wanderers 1st XV
Friendly
Report by John Smillie
WON 17 - 22
Scorers:
Tries: Rantell 2, Jones, Smillie
Conv: Clackson
Man of the Match:
Ant Rantell
After a rather long-winded trip to Old Totts and a late kick off, Writtle were hoping to rack up some points and to put in a confident performance to boost moral after a slow start to the season. Kicking off in the first half, the Wanderers' aim was to keep possession and recycle the ball well in order to make ground on their opposition.
A few knock-ons and unnecessary passes saw the game get off to a slow and messy start with no real direction. However, the second twenty minutes of the first half was much improved; the pack had settled and were putting good pressure on the opposing eight with Dominic Pearce giving his opposite loose head no end of grief, so much so the ref was indicating towards uncontested scrums even at this early stage of the game.
Good ball from the forwards set up the first break of the game with newly appointed scrum half, Phil Robinson, getting the ball out to the backs, where good running lines and hands saw Ant Rantell make ground and go over for the first score. However a few silly penalties saw Old Totts slot home a kick to bring the score to 3-7. Writtle's second try came soon after with the ball being moved quickly through the backs and good pod running from the Writtle back row enabling John Smillie to take the ball twenty five yards out and crash through the Old Totts defence to take the score to 3-12.
To finish off a reasonably good first half, Rantell made
another good run down the right hand side of the field, with support from his
centre partner, Dick Battye and openside flanker Colin Jones who had been all
over the field up to this point. Rantell stayed strong to go over for his
second of the game.
The second half saw a few changes in the scrum with Ian Douglas and Robin
Wallbank replacing Dave Hyett and Pearce in the front row and Jerome Manson
replacing Martyn Howarth in the second row. Writtle started well after the
break, but some very good kicking from the Old Totts fullback saw Writtle time
and again being pushed into their own twenty two. It was from a resulting
line out that Old Totts put in a good rolling maul to drive the Writtle defence
back over their try line and put another five points on the board. The
conversion saw the score back within one score at 10-17. This score lifted
the opposition and their efforts were paying off as Writtle started to leak
penalties. Luckily for the Wanderers, their kicking was not so accurate
from the floor.
Midway through the second half, another good passage of play by the Wanderers
saw No. 8 Lee Amman linking up well with Jones to carry the ball deep into the
Old Totts' twenty two. A tapped penalty gave Smillie another opportunity
to take the ball upfield, much to the despair of the opponents No. 8 who took
the full impact. Good movement from skipper, Mike Brown, and his backs
created another gap and Writtle headed for the line. Jones constant
support running paid off as he was presented with the ball and went over for
Writtle's fourth try of the game. The conversion was once again missed,
but the lead had been extended to 10-22. However, this lead caused some
complacency amongst the Wanderers and some poor missed tackles and lack of
communication allowed Old Totts to score one more unconverted try before the
final whistle.
Although a win is always good to boost the morale, the game highlighted several
areas where Writtle can improve, and with big Essex 1 games on the horizon,
commitment by players at games and training is vital if we are to progress in
Essex 1.
Writtle Wanderers 2nd XV v Romford & Gidea Park 4th
BL Merit Table Div 7
Report by Mike Williams
WON 29 - 0
Scorers:
Tries: Morris, Redfern, Featherstone, Cook
Convs: Clark 3
Pen: Clark
Man of the Match:
John Stimpson
Cracking result last weekend meant that Writtle needed another
win to carry on their impressive start to the season. A sizeable crowd at the
home of rugby assembled from kick off and the hosts dominated up front from the
off.
The new half back pairing of Redfern and Coyle performed well in their new roles
and the forwards were all superb. The first try of the game came after some
strong running from the likes of Stimpson, Underhill and Featherstone and Matt
Morris crashed over to the delight of the now Partisan support.
The early withdrawal of Paul Arnold saw the return to action of Steve "The
Juggler" Clarke and he proceeded to drop the ball!! Simon Cook displayed his
dancing feet to mark his return to action with a well taken try. Redfern
also got his name on the scoreboard for the second week running and the backs
began to display some slick handling to keep the dominance of the home side
going.
Moment of the match came from a superb line out which allowed Martin
Featherstone the space he needed to barge his way over the line for his first
score of the season. Another win and another good performance with all
players putting in solid displays and Stimpson, Hall, Morris and Featherstone
all having blinders. Also congrats to Captain Marvel for lasting 80 mins,
although early reports cannot confirm whether or not the Wanderers visited
the culinary delights of Subway!!!
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Writtle Wanderers 1st XV v Wanstead 1st XV
Essex 1
Report by Tim Janes
DREW 13 - 13
Scorers:
Tries: Nicolle, Jones
Pen: Robinson
Man of the Match:
Lee Amman
Writtle welcomed Wanstead, the early Essex 1 leaders, to Fox
Burrows Lane on Saturday for a game that was sure to be test of how the club are
adapting to the demands of Essex 1 rugby! Wanstead were unbeaten and
riding high at the top of the table, whereas the Wanderers were without a point
and only in mid table thanks to points difference!
The emphasis given to the Writtle side before the game was to start having some
belief in their ability and try and take on Wanstead from the off, rather than
letting the more experienced side come at them and find themselves on the back
foot. However, things didn’t start too well as from the kick off Wanstead
won a lineout and set up a very effective rolling maul. The Wanderers pack
were unable to unable to halt the visitors and Wanstead took an early five point
lead.
The home supporters must have thought that they where going to be in for a long
afternoon and a forward dominated game. However, the Writtle side had
other ideas and once the game began to settle, it was the slick hands and speed
of foot of the Writtle backs that came to the fore.
Writtle's first try came from John Nicolle, hitting the line at pace from full
back in a well worked move. The Wanstead back line was wrong footed and he
went over for a try in the corner. Tom Clackson was unable to make the
conversion from the touch line, but the home side were now back on level terms
and well and truly in the game.
Soon afterwards, winger Adam Jones showed his deceptive turn of pace to cut
through the bemused Wanstead backline and score Writtle's second try, and take
the home side into the lead. Scrum half, Phil Robinson, took over kicking
duties but also put his attempt wide. Nonetheless, a confident Writtle
side took a 10-5 lead into half time and started to believe that they could nick
some valuable points from the league leaders.
The second half was a tense battle, as the visitors upped their game.
Wanstead applied pressure for a sustained period of the second half, and it was
only an excellent defensive display that kept them at bay. Open side
flanker Lee Amman and No. 8 Tommy Young, skippering the side in the absence of
the injured Tim Janes, put in some massive hits and showed great skill in
stealing opposition ball in the tackle.
However, just when the pressure seemed to have been relieved with a good
clearance kick, the Wanstead winger chased his own chip kick and cheekily
managed to steal the ball from the Writtle full back to run in for an
unconverted try. With 15 mins remaining on the clock, the scores were
level and the supporters finger nails were starting to take some punishment!
A tiring Wanderers' side managed to lift themselves once again and take the game
back at Wanstead. Their efforts paid off when they were awarded a penalty
directly in front of the post, and this time Robinson was bang on target and
took the 3 points. The home side had a slim lead and were going to need
every last effort to defend it!
With the clock running down, the visitors came back at Writtle with their final attack of the game. Creeping their way closer and closer to the Writtle line, Wanstead found the home defence too strong to break, but in the final seconds they were awarded a penalty in front of the post. They had no option but to take the 3 points on offer, which they duly did to end the game in a tie!
The Wanderers no doubt felt a tinge of disappointment not to take the full points from the game, but Wanstead are clearly one of the stronger sides in the league and the Writtle side can be very pleased with their performance. If we they can build on this, then they will certainly be able to hold their own in this league and play some attractive rugby to boot!
Burnham on Crouch 2nd XV v Writtle Wanderers 2nd XV
John Adler Trophy
WON 19 - 25
Scorers:
Tries: Rowan 2, Hall
Convs: Rowan 2
Pens: Rowan 2
Man of the Match:
Lyle Chandler
Sorry, no report submitted!
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South Woodham Ferrers 1st XV v Writtle Wanderers 1st XV
Essex 1
Report by John Smillie
LOST 27 - 7
Scorers:
Try: Amman
Conv: Robinson
Man of the Match:
Lee Amman
Saturday saw a revived Writtle side travel to new league leaders, South Woodham Ferrers, with arguably the strongest squad they have had available this season. Hopes were high after a very good draw against Wanstead last week, and the club were hopeful of continuing to make progress up the Essex 1 table.
The home side looked good from the kick off with a well organised pack securing ball from the off. As has happened earlier this season, it was taking time for Writtle to adapt to the pace of the game and after 10 minutes they conceded the first points, with South Woodham mauling their way over for a converted try.
The visitors were unfortunate to lose in form flanker/centre, Ant Rantell,
straight from the restart when he badly dislocated his shoulder. This saw
the introduction of utility forward, John Smillie, for an unexpected 70 minutes
at inside centre! We wish Ant all the best for a speedy recovery!
Following the break for the injury to Rantell, Writtle started to get into the
game. Winning their own ball well and putting phases of play together,
they were able to move up the pitch and put pressure on the home defensive line.
Quick ball from the ruck was enabling Writtle back rowers Tommy Young and Lee
Amman to carry the ball at the opposition, making vital yards in the process.
Clean ball from a set piece saw scrum-half, Phil Robinson, put Smillie into
space and he took the ball to within a few yards of the try line.
Excellent work by the pack secured quick ball and Amman was able to finish off
the move for a try, converted by Robinson, to bring the scores level.
With half time approaching, the sides seemed to be evenly matched until the
South Woodham full-back crept round the defence to for an unconverted try.
This slightly cruel blow before the whistle saw the sides turn around 12 - 7.
As the second half got underway, the Wanderers habit of giving away silly
penalties in the rucks and mauls saw them pushed back deep into their own half.
Fortunately, the South Woodham kicker wasn't on able to convert a couple of
penalty chances and Writtle were able to keep themselves in the game.
However, the well drilled home pack were winning good ball from their set pieces
and giving their backs plenty of chance to run with the ball. Eventually
South Woodham managed to break the visitors' defence as their full-back chased
down a kick to score a converted try and take the score to 19 - 7.
More penalties from the Wanderers gave South Woodham the opportunity to extend their lead with a kick, which they duly took to go 22 - 7 up. Despite Writtle starting to run the ball well as the second half progressed, they never really looked to threaten the South Woodham line and another score towards the end of the game put the home side out of reach at 27 - 7.
Once again there were many good points for Writtle to take from this game and work on at training, but on the day they were out played by probably the strongest side they have met this season. The club's EDF Junior Vase cup game against Billericay this coming Saturday is sure to be a tough test, but the Wanderers will be looking to improve on their performance against the team they played in their opening league game of the season and progress to the next round.
Eton Manor 3rd XV v Writtle Wanderers 2nd XV
BL Merit Table
LOST 27 - 15
Scorers:
Tries: Featherstone 2, Young
Man of the Match:
Martin Featherstone
Sorry, no report submitted!
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Writtle Wanderers 1st XV v Billericay 1st XV
EDF Energy RFU Junior Vase - R2
LOST 5 - 21
Scorer:
Try: Amman
Man of the Match:
Tommy Young
Sorry, no report submitted!
Writtle Wanderers 2nd XV v Loughton 2nd XV
Friendly
Report by Mike Williams
WON 15 - 7
Scorers:
Tries: Pearce, Morris, Featherstone
Man of the Match:
Morgan Farrell
A cold and windy autumn day saw Loughton arrive at the home of
rugby to take on The Wanderers. Another large turnout of players gave the home
side the advantage of having a good selection of substitutes waiting in the
wings.
Loughton started the game strongly and the visitors immediately pushed the home
side deep into their own 22. Writtle found themselves under sever pressure
for the majority of the half, with them unable to get the ball out of their own
half and having to defend in numbers deep inside their own 22 for a concerted
amount of time. The superb defending of Writtle meant that Loughton struggled to
register a score on the board and although the away team ran in a deserved try
Writtle had weathered the storm with good success.
The restart saw Writtle begin to find their feet and the forwards looked
increasingly dominant over their opponents. Throughout the game the Writtle
forwards drove the visitors back at scrums and mauls and it was through the
forwards that Writtle notched up their first points of the day. An excellent
break from the superb Martin Featherstone saw him crash through the defence and
an excellent off load in the tackle to the supporting Matt Morris saw the second
row cross the try line to the delight of the partisan home support. Half time
saw Writtle trailing 5-7 but considering the amount of time they had spent in
their own half, and with the wind behind them they were optimistic of another
victory.
The second half saw Writtle dominate the game with the forwards continuing to
rule the roost over their counterparts and the backs beginning to gel with
powerful running from Morgan Farrell and quick feet from Simon Cook. The 2nd try
of the game was run in by the impressive Simon Pearce who made some good breaks
from scrum half throughout the game. Replacements were made with Pearce replaced
by Jon Horne and Lloyd Hariram taking his leave after his first game back to the
side. The final try of the game was the icing on the cake with Horne delivering
an excellent pass to the rampaging Featherstone who displayed he had pace to
match his strength skinning the defence before gleefully crossing the try line
to make the victory almost certain.
Another solid display with the defence in the first half setting the platform
for victory and the the Writtle players left the ground happy to register
another victory. Skipper Colm Coyle was pleased with the result although the
thought of having to serve apple juice to the Wanderers boys later that night
soon dampened his spirits!!!!!