Match Report (archived)
Match reports 2005/6: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
1st Team Match Report - 2nd April 2006
(Essex Intermediate Cup Final against Rochford held at Eton Manor)
Score: 23 - 0
Essex 1 side Canvey Island looked to provide yet another giant killing act in the final of the Essex Cup, against London 3 N.E side Rochford Hundred. And at the start of the game it certainly looked like that was possible.
After just 5mins Canvey set upon Rochford driving them backwards and pinning them back inside their 22, surprising the favourites. Rochford were unsettled and pulled down the maul. Canvey were awarded the penalty. Brett Smith stepped up, but unfortunately put the ball wide.
The pressure continued and Canvey's back's came into play. Again Rochford looked unsettled, and were penalised for being offside in their back line. Smith had another go at getting 3pts, but the result was the same and Rochford went unpunished.
Rochford responded to the challenge Canvey had set out for them, and replied with a successful penalty of their own.
Canvey were still edging it, and straight from the restart drove the Rochford forwards back. Again Rochford had no answer and resorted to pulling down the maul. Canvey were awarded yet another penalty, and again Rochford got away unscathed with another uncharacteristic miss from the boot of Smith.
The Islanders case wasn't helped minutes later, when lock forward James Breading was sin binned for being on the wrong side of the ruck. Rochford kicked successfully for another three points.
Canvey were now down to fourteen players and were looking for a way back into the game.
Canvey mounted another charge forward and gave a penalty away in Rochfords 22. Rochford opted to kick for touch. The kick fell short and was kept in play by Canvey's winger. Unfortunately his tap in was intercepted by the on rushing Rochford winger, who shook off two covering tackles before off loading to the supporting outside centre to score 5pts against the run of play.
Canvey's attacking style means that sometimes the risk factor is high. As the rain lashed down, the ball slipped out of hand in the backs and the ball found its way to the floor. First to react was the Rochford winger, who scooped up the ball and sprinted into the corner for Rochfords second try.
Canvey went into the half time period 18 vs. 0 down, knowing they had more territory and possession, they just needed to be more clinical in finishing.
The Islanders came out charged up, determined to get back into the game. Canvey attacked, and yet again it was from a Canvey mistake that Rochford seized upon and scored. A blind side break from the Rochford open side flanker, off loaded to Rochford's pacey fullback who broke away and set up his scrum half for Rochford's third try of the game, with only 8mins of the first half gone. The score was now 23 vs. 0, a scoreline that somewhat flattered the favourites. Canvey heads could have gone down quite easily, but the character was too strong. For the remaining 30 mins of the game Canvey absolutely dominated play, in terms of possession and territory. Rochford did not manage to get over the half way line at all in that period. Canvey battled on relentlessly, and you could not have guessed there was two leagues separating the two sides. It just was not Canvey's day. The Islanders were camped out on the oppositions try line on many occasions but just could not get the ball down.
Rochford however never really created much, and found it hard to break through Canvey. They did however live off Canvey's mistakes, things that usually go unpunished in Essex1, but obviously not so in the higher leagues. When they did seize on Canvey's mistakes, they were clinical.
Although disappointed, the Islanders won a lot of respect for the way they dominated possession and bossed Rochford in the second half. The character and heart shown by this up and coming young side, means hopefully it won't be the last cup final they will be in.
Well Done to Rochford.
Man of the match: ?
