Match Report (archived)
Match reports 2005/6: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
1st Team Match Report - 21st January 2006
Score: 25 - 7
This week Canvey played hosts to travelling Bancroft, who were also promoted last year from Essex 2, but are finding the going a lot tougher this time round. Canvey welcomed back hooker Darren Smith for this weeks game, but lost back row forward Matt Lay. No.8 Martin Ewins returned, and Prop Lee Brumwell was given a place on the bench, although still battling with a hand injury. Scrum Half Luke Smith was handed the No.9 shirt, and winger Josh Campagna returned to the First XV squad.
Bancroft set out their stall very early on, determined to stifle and frustrate the Islanders expansive style of rugby. With Canvey looking for quick ball from the breakdowns, all too often Bancroft's forwards were found on the wrong side of rucks having dived over the top of the ball. After a series of repeated warnings to the visitors, it wasn't too long before the referee had to award the Islanders a penalty, directly in front of the posts. Flanker Brett Smith stepped up and duly punished the away side.
With their tails up Canvey pushed on. Bancroft's back line were up fast, minimising the space with which Canvey's backs had to play with. With space in the midfield hard to come by, Canvey looked to keep the ball alive more and exploit the visitors wingers and fullback. This lead to Canvey's first try, after a passage of play broke down, the ball fell to the floor. Fly half John Breading reacted first, diving onto the ball and popping it up to the on rushing Centre Alex Breading on the loop. A neat chip over the advancing backline, bounced kindly for Breading who promptly collected the ball ahead of the Bancroft fullback before diving over for Canvey's first try.
Canvey's next try of the game came way of utility back Jay Bedford. He received a pass from Flanker Brett Smith on the 22m line, before setting off on a run that took him outside the opposition winger, before cutting inside the advancing fullback and under the posts to score. Smith converted for the further two points. Over the season a lot of hard work has been put in at the training paddock, not least by Canvey's forwards, who continue to improve week on week. Canvey's next try was testament to that hard work, with a textbook rolling maul, driving Bancroft backwards over their own try line. The visitors tried to stem the tide of red and blue, but it was all in vain, leaving scrum half Luke Smith with the simple task of touching down to make the score 20 vs. 0, signalling the end of the first half.
An injury to Jay Bedford allowed teenage Wing sensation Josh Campagna to come on in the left wing position, and Prop Simon King was substituted for the returning Brumwell.
Bancroft also made changes introducing a youngster of their own at fullback, who immediately made an impact at the beginning of the second half. The Islanders who boast the best defensive record in the league, were caught on the hop, and a couple of uncharacteristic missed tackles led to a three man overlap, resulting in a converted try for the visitors. Again Bancroft continued to employ their stifling tactics, looking for damage limitation, rather than show any attacking ambition. The Canvey forwards rose to the challenge, beating the visitors at their own game, winning scrums against the head and stealing lineout ball. Flanker Nick Edwards was injured and duly substituted, making way for heavyweight Russell Wright. Bancroft continued to hold out well, despite all the pressure they were subjected to. A combination of bad luck and final lapses in concentration, stopped Canvey scoring numerous other opportunities. Finally one did come, another explosive run from Centre Kevin Cooper, broke the Bancroft backline. As the covering defence managed to get across, Cooper was still able to off load to the supporting Campagna, who got over for the final try of the game, making the score 25 vs. 7.
Man of the match: Martin Ewins
