Match Report (archived)
Match reports 2005/6: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
1st Team Match Report - 3rd September 2005
(Pre-season match away to Upper Clapton)
Score: 19 - 27
Canvey played their second pre season warm up game against fellow Essex 1 rivals Upper Clapton, away. The game was to commemorate Upper Clapton 's 125 th year anniversary. With this in mind the home team put out a strong side, and had a lot of touchline support.
Canvey started strongly with their forwards taking the game to the 'bigger' opposition pack. Strong runs particularly from James 'B.A' Saunders, broke their defensive lines and pushed Canvey further up the pitch. With the opposition penned in their own 22, continued Canvey pressure led to a try for centre Alex Breading inside 10mins of the game.
This was followed shortly when the Canvey back line spread the ball wide, releasing inside centre Barry Dennis, allowing him to score after a 'jinking' run.
Continued Canvey domination of the first half was rounded off when a deep kick was placed into the opposition 22. Hesitation from the Upper Clapton defence plus pressure from full back David Dennis bearing down on them, lead to him touching down for the 3 rd try of the game. With all three tries scored directly under the post, Brett Smith was able to convert all with ease.
Canvey went into the interval with a 21-0 lead. The hot conditions were taking their toll on both sides, and Upper Clapton made full use of their 25 man squad, making several changes during the break.
In the 2nd half the Upper Clapton forwards picked up the pace, several elementary defensive errors on Canvey's part allowed the opposition in for 3 tries of their own. Canvey battled hard and showed strong character as they met up with some underhand tactics employed by their opponents. This lead to Canvey being awarded 2 penalties, which Smith again duly converted into points.
1 st team skipper Dafyyd Gillespie said:
"With the first league game next weekend, it was important to win this game. Again there were lots learnt and more to work on in training. A few key players were missing for this game, but Canvey coped well demonstrating the improving strength in depth at the club. Stefan Lay made a promising start also on his first team debut."
Man of the match: Jay Bedford
