Match Report (archived)
Match reports 2005/6: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
1st Team Match Report - 11th February 2006
Score: 60 - 0
Canvey went into the match against East London with a full strength team, apart from the injured Jay Bedford. With it being two weeks since they last played, due to the postponed Essex Cup quarter final against Campion, Canvey were eager to bounce back with a dominant performance against the mid-table East London.
Canvey started off very well with their forwards dominating play, gaining some vital yardage and good ball for the backs to use. A forward drive into the heart of the East London 22 led to a penalty being awarded to Canvey, which was shipped out quickly by scrum half Tony Gould, leaving Dave Dennis to run home the first score of the game.
Within a few minutes the mobile Canvey pack found themselves again working their way into the opposition 22. Prop James Saunders broke off on a storming run only to be brought down inches from the line. From here a simple miss move gave Dave Dennis an easy 2 nd try of the game.
The game carried on at its fast and frantic pace, the type of game Canvey like to play. A scrum in the middle of the pitch was awarded, Canvey with the put-in. A simple backs move gave inside centre Kevin Cooper the space to take on a winger almost half his age. Cooper left the winger in his trail as he raced away, only to offload to full back Dave Dennis to complete his first half hat-trick.
Straight from the next restart prop Lee Brumwell went on a surging run before offloading to Bret Smith, who chipped over the oncoming full back. The ball was picked up by Darren 'Del Boy' Smith who raced to the line and as he went down performed a genius like flick through his legs to the oncoming Matt Lay, who finished it off.
The East London team did not stop battling and prevented the Canvey on-slaught for a good 15 minutes. However four quick phases of play lead to a great phase of Canvey handling, leaving winger Luke Smith to score a try in the corner.
Before the half-time break prop James 'B.A' Saunders went on another one of his fine breaks before offloading to Martin 'Chabal' Ewins to score, making the half time score 38-0.
The Canvey side came out in the second half knowing they needed to up their game and play mature rugby in order to keep dominating the game. Ten minutes into the 2 nd half a collapsed scrum just outside the East London 22 sent No.8 Martin Ewins on a run on the open side, drawing in defenders and passing. The ball carried on down the back line leaving Luke Smith to score his 2 nd of the game.
Minutes later lock James Breading stole vital possession from an East London lineout. The ball was distributed out and Dennis chipped the ball over the opposition back line, then passing to James Saunders to score. Ten minutes later good back play gave outside centre Alex Breading space to pick a great attacking line before giving wing Josh Campagna space to finish off a great backs move.
The final try came off of a lineout in the East London 22. The ball was won by Skipper Daffyd Gillespie, which was brought down and mauled leaving Bret Smith to break off and score underneath the posts.
Man of the match: Kevin Cooper
