Match Report (archived)
Match reports 2005/6: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
1st Team Match Report - 22nd October 2005
Score: 36 - 5
After a great result in the cup against Ipswich YM, Canvey were now up against the early season pace setters and league leaders, in the shape of unbeaten Maldon.
After a shaky start to the season the Islanders have now begun to find their feet again in this league, and it took less than 30seconds for Canvey to demonstrate this to the visitors.
Canvey stormed at Maldon from the kick off, and the forwards were able to turn the ball over right on Maldon's 22 metre line. As fly half Jay Bedford received the ball, he exploited the up rushing defence by placing through a carefully weighted grubber kick, that bounced kindly over the try line for him to dive over and score.
With the Islanders in front, the league leaders were determined to come back and mount an attack of their own. However Maldon could find no way through Canvey's defence. Some big tackles were put in, most noticeably by centre John Breading who had another great game in defence. Canvey's backs also showed great maturity for a young set of players, with a good kicking game giving the forwards the positional advantage. And from these positions Maldon soon learnt that they would have no answer to Canvey's lineouts. Indeed it was from one of Canvey's well drilled lineouts that the ball was won and the forwards drove on, pulling in the Maldon pack. The ball was spun out to fly half Bedford, and after a well worked backs move came off, he found himself with enough space to outstrip the visitor's backline to score his and Canvey's second of the game.
Canvey had rattled Maldon and the visitors went into the half time break, not knowing what had hit them. As both teams emerged for the second half, Canvey came out without skipper Dafyyd Gillespie (ankle injury), vice Skipper Al Breading took charge for what many would later describe as
"the most inspiring 40mins of rugby they have ever played"
Gillespie was replaced by the experienced John Cutts.
This further added to Maldon's problems as he bolstered Canvey's scrummaging, allowing hooker Darren Smith to win many balls against the head. The Islanders showed no mercy in and around the ruck area, and Maldons frustrations began to show as Canvey received a penalty early on. The ever reliable boot of Brett Smith struck again, and this kick started Canvey's second half domination.
Maldon's backs received the ball, and were put under pressure immediately from Canvey's centres and back row. As a result of the pressure the ball broke loose and was kicked through by flanker Brett Smith. Fly Half Jay Bedford latched onto the kick and raced away to complete his hatrick.
It wasn't long before Canvey scored again as the visitors found it almost impossible to make any head way against the Islanders. This time Scrum Half Tony Gould was first to react to another loose ball, kicking the ball through and some how managing to catch it as it rebounded off the uprights whilst diving acrobatically over the line.
More substitutions were made by the home side, and Kevin Cooper was introduced to play his second game at prop, after replacing Simon King. Cooper made a direct impact as he caught the ball from the re start and drove into the heart of the Maldon midfield. With his run coming to an end, Cooper was able to unload in the tackle and released No.8 Martin Ewins (Canvey's answer to Sebastian Chabal), who with a display of power and aggression scored Canvey's fifth try of the game, killing off any hopes the visitors may have had.
Martin had restrained himself from any energy depleting excursions the day before, and left the female population of Richmond unsatisfied. This was so that he could explode onto the game on a Saturday, and release his pent up aggression on the opposition.
With the game in stoppage time Maldon fought back, and found themselves with a rare overlap. The Canvey defence just could not get over in time, and the visitors got a consolation try.
A good win for the Islanders, and one which will make the rest of Essex 1 sit up and take note.
The 1 st teams good results as of late are a direct reflection of the strength of players, there is at the club. We now have a strong 2 nd side and are getting good numbers at training. We train hard, we play hard. There is good competition for places, and no ones place is guaranteed.
The best 80mins of Rugby we have played, against good opposition.
Man of the match: The Whole Squad
