Harlow 0 Upper Clapton 23

Merit Table

A quick apology to Mr. Branch regarding last week’s non-appearance of two players as there were good reasons why they could not make it.  Another apology goes to Rupert who did not get on this week; this will be sorted out in the future. In fairness it is really hard to make substitutions during the game when you are concentrating on what is happening on the pitch.

A huge “Thank You” to Martin Polkinghorne - without him the game would not have been played. Getting two of the ladies to ask him on Welsh Night was genius I reckon, and well worth a couple of beers.  Hopefully Geoff’s knee will soon be sorted out!

Upper Clapton are top of the table for a reason - they are very difficult to beat both home and away.  It was also good of them to bring enough front row players to not have to go uncontested: although they used a young bearded one, who didn’t like playing for the 1sts so now plays for the Extra As.

They arrived later than expected; forcing kick off to be delayed until 2.30 by which time the 4th team had warmed up, cooled down and warmed back up again.  The game was always going to be hard, and from the kick off tackling was ferocious.  Harlow had plenty of ball but were unable to dent the UC defence; there appeared to be no way through their back line.  It took about 20 minutes before UC were awarded a penalty inside the 22; this was kicked by the fly-half who had a spectacular day with his boot.  The Harlow pack was as normal powerful, stealing UC ball where possible, although the line out was less effective and both sides struggled to get clean ball. UC scored a try when they span the ball out to the centre who cut back inside and crashed through the tackle to score under the posts; this was converted and gave them a 10-0 lead.  To add further misery they scored on the far corner after the backs created an overlap and there were not enough defenders to stop the winger from scoring.

15-0 at half time was not good. The 4th team had been hit with a series of injuries; Aunty with a knackered shoulder; Mex with a torn hamstring (although he was lucky to have both eyeballs after an accidental gouging incident, strange how the bloke had the whole face to hit, but just managed to get his thumb in Mex's eye.).  John Stock and Barney both came off with damaged ribs. This meant that we had to move players out of position which added to the disruption in the scrum and line out.  Gaggy and Rob linked well with Jumbo and Mumbles, while Hammer and Mark kept there respective wings under control, but there was not much that could be done to breach a very tight defence.

The second half saw UC score another unconverted try and kick a penalty. The 4ths started to fire on all cylinders and had scoring chances that UC defended against well.  Jumbo played a great game but does not seem to realise that when he accelerates off down the pitch there are few who can keep up: this also applies to Mumbles and Crabby whose pace sometimes finds them stranded without support.  Ramraid came on at the end, effectively taking the ball into contact and making ground - not sure the opposition were too pleased to see him.

Funny moments - On two separate occasions I tried to catch the ball in our 22 only to drop it (my friends that came to watch thought it really funny and talked about it all night, the bast***rds!)

Kevin whatever-his-name-is, telling Swampy that he would break his legs, not realising that the 1000yd stare was a warning of what was to come.  Kevin collapsed the next maul and lay underneath making no attempt to roll away. No further details are necessary but I had to physically push Swampy out of the way so I could have a go!

The UC guy chasing his own kick who went down from a sniper shot from out of the woods; contact may have occurred but he hit the deck like a footballer …………squealing!

Four of the UC backs screaming for a cross field kick having spotted a potential weakness after the Hammer had gone off, the fly half responded with a sliced kick in the opposite direction that succeeded in finding Crabby thankfully, as I was the weakest link out on the wing.

MOTM - Danny Fitz crashed it up, with Chris Powell hitting people in the line out. Jumbo put in his usual performance. Ben, Barney, Pete and Andy all did the donkey work asked of them.  Everyone played well, although we seemed to lack some of our communication skills which have helped us in the past.

COTM - Two dropped catches would have put me firmly in this spot if it wasn’t for Justin and Karl.  They know why they are getting this award, which lets me off the hook.  I have decided in future not to be in the 22 when the opposition kick it through – just to be on the safe side.

After the game Martin said it was no trouble to referee, well competed, with some handbags at times, no change there then!

The 4th team were beaten by a team that seemed to have no weaknesses to exploit, while their fly-half kicked brilliantly, making the most of any space he could find.

In the club house afterwards it transpires that Lee recognised a couple of their players from Blackheath - no greater compliment have we been paid this season.

Bring on the Black Horse, although with the injuries to the team, we may struggle a little bit.

To view more match reports - click here