Match Report (archived)
Match reports 2005/6: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
1st Team Match Report - 29th October 2005
Score: 5 - 19
Canvey went into this struggle with their arch adversaries from last years league campaign fresh from a comprehensive victory over Maldon.
Canvey made 2 changes to the previous weeks squad, with John Cutts (attending a stag do) and Dave Dennis (Scaffold Bungee jumping accident) unavailable. Lloyd Miller and Barry 'Your names not down, your not coming in' Dennis were bought into the squad for what was to be a hard fought match.
Canvey made a great start when in the 1st couple of minutes Darren 'Dellboy' Smith tapped a quick penalty and passed to Lee Brumwell who bulldozed over to score his 4th try of the season. Brett Smiths tracking was off slightly as he missed narrowly with the resulting conversion attempt.
Canvey then capitulated and a lack of concentration in the Canvey midfield led to the Bancroft centre blocking an attempted clearance and eventually touching down over the Canvey Try line. Bancroft missed the resulting conversion, and then after a further 25 minutes of largely unspectacular rugby, Brett smith took advantage of Bancrofts indiscipline to kick a penalty to give Canvey an 8 - 5 half time lead.
Canvey were told some home truths about their flat 1st half performance by coach Wakefield and an unchanged team went into the 2nd half knowing that an improvement was required if they were to walk off the pitch with a 3rd successive victory in the bag.
Canvey used their increasing forward dominance to pressurise the Bancroft pack into conceding numerous penalties, one of which Smith kicked to give the islanders a 11 - 5 lead. During the next few minutes, Brumwell and Alex Breading left the pitch with injuries (ankle and Hamstring) and were replaced by Kevin Cooper and Barry Dennis. Minutes later another Smith penalty gave Canvey a 14-5 lead.
A battle of attrition ensued, the strong Bancroft defence keeping the Canvey attacks at bay until 'flat' pass by Dennis released the evergreen Jason Carter to canter over for a deserved second half try. Smith failed with the conversion. Smith was then replaced by Lloyd Miller who has recently impressed with his 2nd team performances.
The final whistle was a welcome sound to the Canvey team 5 minutes later and heralded a difficult 19 - 5 victory for the men from 'Gods little acre'. This was always going to be a tough game and the stern test was excellent preparation for next weeks Powergen Cup game against Old Paulines.
Man of the match: Martin Ewins
