Upper Clapton 4th XV 25 Harlow 4th XV 15

Merit Table

Saturday 19th September 2009

The 4th team did not get the start they wanted to the league this year, but were able to walk off the pitch with their heads held high.  Putting the posts up on Thursday meant that the pitch inspection had already been done, the ground was firm to concrete.  As usual even the weather conspired to hurt us as it was hot and sunny for the whole game.

A few last minute latecomers caused us to rearrange our line up which was already weakened through injury and illness.

Harlow opened the scoring when skipper Gaggy kicked a penalty, not our usual tactics but it was a tight game, we were winning our own scrums and our line outs.  Clapton were quick top respond and also kicked a penalty 3-3.  Clapton then moved the ball through the backs, they scored and converted when they had simple two on one situation, drew the last defender and went in under the posts. At half time there were few changes, Karl had arrived and came on to the centres. 

The second half arrived and Harlow drew first blood, Karl set off down the wing, carrying the ball in his right arm and handing off with his left, a bit strange as he was going down the left wing at the time.  Beating several defenders, a superbly timed pass, put Mumbles over to score.  It was about now that Clapton started to really argue with the referee, every decision was questioned, even the blatant ones.  I can’t really recall the exact order of the rest of the scores, Clapton went over in the right corner after some good attacking by their backs.  Stacey scored after kicking through and the backspin he put on the ball fooling all of the defenders, and they scored a third. 

Harlow scored their second amongst these tries, Swampy span the ball to me out wide, and I popped it to Mumbles who gracefully crossed the line and then dived to score.

Best Quote of the match- Referee “That’s the second high tackle he has done there won’t be a third”-Clapton skipper” You can’t say that”

Another “You haven’t played against Swampy before have you”, overheard while one Clapton player calmed another down.

Bizarre Incident- Clapton started to self-destruct , the fly half had a 4^th team rest for 10 minutes when he kicked the ball away and was basically “gobbing off” to the ref.  Ignorance of the laws of the game, as opposed to playing how they wanted to play, was good to see happen to someone else.

It was nice to see Brian Viney making an appearance for the 4^th team when he briefly spoke to one of the Clapton players about not giving us the ball when it was our penalty.

Overall we were beaten by a side whose backline was very experienced, there were some massive tackles both going in and being received.

Neal had a good game as hooker, Darren had a great game at prop(summer training paying off) Chris carried the ball well, as did Pete when he came on.  Big Andy, Barney, Big Dan all powered through the game.  Hope the ribs are sorted for next week Andy.  Back row was its usual nasty self with Swampy hitting everything with the ball.

The backs played really well, Justin and Rob communicated, calling the shots, with karl, Mumbles, Mike,  Alex, Hammer, Nick, James, all providing support where necessary.

It was a hard game against a team with a lot of experience and ability, a lot of people at the club know the players from when they played first team, personally I know we are in a spot of bother, when both wingers are bigger than me.

MOTM-  This went to Neal for his game at hooker

COTM-Really easy- the opposition fly-half

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