Match Report (archived)
Match reports 2005/6: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
1st Team Match Report - 3rd December 2005
Score: 0 - 37
After three weeks without playing a competitive game Canvey were keen to find the form again, that has seen them rise to second in Essex 1. Following the unfortunate death of the founder of Thames Rugby Club, Canvey knew that the home side were going to be up for the task ahead of them. In front of a good turn out, Thames took to the field in determined mood, where a hungry Canvey side lay in wait.
The Islanders pack, was dwarfed by the huge, experienced set of Thames forwards. Due to a massive weight disadvantage and the early loss of tight head prop James Saunders through injury, Canvey were always going to be on the back foot in the scrums and around the first phase areas.
With this in mind Canvey took to a quick ball game to be staged around the lineout ball area, thus proving to be the Thames downfall. Within the first five minutes Canvey put Thames under a great deal of pressure.
This early pressure resulted in a scrum for the Islanders, inside the opposition 22m line. A neatly worked backs move followed that saw inside centre Kevin Cooper crash over for the first try of the game.
Canvey continued to mount more pressure immediately from the restart. This time outside centre Alex Breading, marking his first game as captain was on hand to score, after fly half John Breading committed the up stepping defence, before floating a well weighted miss pass.
Canvey looked well in control, and runs from flanker Matt Lay continued to torment the home side. The Islanders built up speed and their forwards maintained their high work rate around the park, keeping it away from the scrums.
Live wire scrum half Tony Gould, spotted a gap along the blind side and released winger Jon Campion with a grubba kick. The winger still had a lot to do, kicking the ball on for himself before winning the race with the Thames fullback, diving to score Canvey's third.
A well executed lineout, created a stable platform to show Thames again what Canvey were capable of, acting now as a front row replacement Kev Cooper scored a superb try under the posts beating four players to touchdown.
The second half saw a dogged Thames side come out, using all their experience and physical advantage, to try and upset the Islanders.
The bullying tactics employed did not have the desired effect on the visitors, as Canvey remained disciplined throughout. Some strong driving mauls from Thames pushed Canvey back briefly, but as soon as their backs had the ball they met a brick wall in the form of the visitors backline. Thames ' frustrations began to grow, and a few isolated incidents resulted in Thames loosing their tight head prop to the sin bin.
Down to fourteen players, the visitors capitalised when again fly-half John Breading created another try, this time off of his right boot, with a delicately placed chip over the up rushing defence. Fullback Dave Dennis sprinted onto the ball from deep, catching the kick, before racing away to score.
Jon Campion added again to Thames ' misery with his second of the afternoon, outstripping the defence and handing off the fullback to get a sixth try for the seasiders.
Brett Smith weighed in with a penalty and two conversions giving Canvey a win 37 points with no reply.
Although bottom of the league, this game was not an easy one. Thames proved to be tough opposition and an excellent physical test. The game was a good platform for next weeks game when the Islanders welcome Billericay to Tewkes Creek. Both teams are locked in second place, with Canvey just having the edge on points difference.
Man of the match: Matt Lay
