Match Report (archived)
Match reports 2005/6: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
1st Team Match Report - 18th February 2006
Score: 13 - 29
Canvey went into the game against Ilford knowing it will be a hard fought game, against a big strong Ilford team. Canvey however, had a full strength squad to pick from, with Jay Bedford returning from injury.
The game started very well for Canvey. A run up the middle of the pitch from centre Kevin Cooper, was recycled quickly by the mobile Canvey forwards. The ball was shipped out and fly half John Breading threw a miss pass to wing Josh Campagna who sprinted down the wing, being stopped just short of the line, a line-out for Canvey was the result. The ball was secured by the forwards, who then mauled over the Ilford line to score, converted by Bret Smith.
The game looked like it was going to be a one horse race, but it wasn't to be. Good play from Ilford lead to a passage of play in which Ilford were in the Canvey 22 for a good 5 minutes. This pressure lead to a penalty against Canvey, which the Fly half kicked to make the score 7-3.
Canvey upped their game and had periods of some good rugby. 25 minutes into the match the Canvey forwards mauled the ball from outside the Ilford 22 towards the tryline, before the Ilford pack brought down the maul, resulting in a penalty try for Canvey, converted by Bret Smith. Half time score 14-3.
The Canvey forwards once again mauled from a lineout play, putting pressure on the Ilford pack. The Ilford forwards once again could not handle the drive from the Canvey forwards so they brought down the maul, but were not penalised for it. However, the ball was distributed by scrum half Tony Gould and a simple backs miss move resulted in full back Dave Dennis scoring, conversion scored by Brett Smith, making the score 21-3.
Ilford upped their game and came straight back at Canvey. Good play gave Ilford vital territory. Their backs performed a well-worked move, which their fly half scored, but missed the conversion.
Canvey needed to continue to play strong, quick rugby in order to insure victory. They worked their way up the pitch with some good phases of play from both their forwards and backs. A break from Tony Gould brought Canvey into the opposition 22. Some in-discipline in the rucks by Ilford gave Canvey a penalty just outside the Ilford 22, which was scored by kicker Bret Smith.
Ten minutes later Canvey kicked a penalty into touch, deep into the Ilford half. They secured the lineout and kept possession for several phases of play. The ball was shipped out from a ruck metres away from the Ilford tryline, to prop James Saunders. He took the ball on the charge, beating the tackle of 3 Ilford players to score. The conversion was missed, leaving the score at 29-8.
Canvey took their foot of the gas for the remaining minutes of the game, and a rare gap appeared in their defensive line, which lead to a try for the Ilford captain, again the conversion was missed.
Even though Canvey were disappointed not to play the kind of rugby they have the potential to play, they secured a much needed win to remain in the hunt for promotion.
Man of the match: Jamie Breading
