Match Report (archived)
Match reports 2005/6: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
1st Team Match Report - 24th September 2005
Score: 17 - 7
With seven regular 1st team players missing, Canvey's 1st XV had to borrow heavily from their 2nd's "The 'Stacks". Unfortunately this had an inevitable knock on effect, resulting in the cancellation of the scheduled 3rd team game.
With influential skipper Dafyyd Gillespie missing, Prop Lee Brumwell was given the task of leading the Canvey side out, away to Upminster.
Canvey began as underdogs, and things were looking promising. Within the opening first few minutes, the Canvey forwards started to drive up the field. That was until an unfortunate off load, was intercepted by an Upminster player which lead to an overlap, allowing the home side to score a soft early try. Slightly annoyed by the start Canveys pack fought back and throughout the first half showed a good display in how scrummaging should be done.
Late into the first half Canvey secured a line out, and the forwards started to drive up field. With the oppositions back row successfully 'sucked' in, the ball was spun out towards the awaiting backs. A superb miss move, followed by a delightfully weighted pass by teenage Fly Half John Breading, allowing his brother Alex to hit the ball at pace, breaking through Upminster's defensive line, as he sprinted home to score. Brett Smith managed to hit the conversion from a long way out, levelling the score at 7 points a piece.
Towards the end of the first half, Canvey lost their mainstay in the pack, in the shape of the experienced John Cutts, as he came off through injury. From this point Canvey were on the back foot.
As the Second half unfolded through a mixture of questionable decisions and repetitive kicking, Canvey's game much like the pitch was an uphill struggle. As frustration grew within the Canvey side, the visitors found themselves not for the first time this year, down to 13 men. Upminster took full advantage of this eventually wearing Canvey down to beat them 17 vs. 7.
Although beaten Canvey took heart from the fact that they never gave up, and were left to reflect on what might have been, had they had their strongest side out.
Man of the match: ?
