Writtle Wanderers RUFC

Writtle Wanderers RUFC
(Founded 2002)

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With both sides in desperate need of league points, Saturday’s fixtures had some added importance to both teams. Writtle found themselves on the back foot even before kick off when all bar four of the squad found themselves stuck in traffic on the way to the game!

With pre-match preparations limited to simply distributing the shirts and running on to the field, it was somewhat surprising when the Wanderers took an early lead through a penalty for the boot of full back, Steve Clark. However, the home side were soon in the ascendancy and had much the upper hand for much of the first half. Writtle’s lack of preparation could not be blamed for what was a totally abject display, firstly missing three tackles to allow an East London try and then wrongly assuming that the home side were going to kick for points following a penalty offence, only to see the ball spun wide for a try.

At 12 – 3 down, the visitors knew that without a significant improvement in the second half, a defeat would leave them with a huge amount to do in their battle to still be playing Division 1 rugby next season. Early second half scores were vital and these came firstly from a Clark penalty and then the full back finished a breakaway move involving all the backs to score a converted try. Again though, the Wanderers were guilty of stepping of the gas and allowed East London to come straight back with another seven points of their own with a good score down the left.

It was Adam Jones that kept the visitors in touch with an elusive run that saw the centre glide through the home side's defence from the half way line to score. Clark kicked both the conversion and then a long range penalty to edge Writtle ahead.

The game had now broken up with spaces all over the field and the ever dangerous John Smillie then broke through to score and see the Wanderers extend their lead. This was then extended further by another Clark penalty. The home side continued to push for points and again broke the Wanderers line to score a try and keep in touch.

Writtle finally killed the game off with four minutes left on the clock when scrum half Dave McKenna fed fly half Tim Janes from the scrum. Janes stepped his man to add five points and take the final score to 24 – 38.

Writtle face local rivals Maldon in the Essex President's Shield semi-final next week, with a County Final on offer for the winners!