Match Report
Match reports 2006/7: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
1st Team Match Report - 6th January 2007
(Home against Beccles)
Score: 22 - 0
Canvey began the match with only two changes to the side that beat Basildon away from home before the Christmas break. Russell Wright came in at second row for the missing Nick Edwards and Luke Smith replaced the injured Dave Dennis at fullback.
Canvey started the game very strongly with their forwards dominating the first ten minutes of play. Canvey gained consistent territory and after piling on the pressure came away with the first points. Strong mauling from the Canvey pack brought them within metres from the try-line. The ball was then distributed out to the Canvey backs, who with a good backline move, passed the ball out to wing Jason Carter, who finished off the try well to give Canvey the lead after ten minutes of the match, the conversion was missed.
The game continued in the same fashion with Canvey dominating play. Continued pressure from Canvey lead to a Beccles scrum within the Beccles '22'. Under pressure, the inside centre missed his kick for touch, which landed in the hands of fullback Luke Smith. Luke shipped the ball inside to winger Jason Carter who darted through a gap in the Beccles defence with only the fullback to beat. A neat side step from Carter beat the Beccles fullback to score his second try underneath the posts. The further 2 points went un-converted.
The Beccles team fought back at the Islanders but they were unable to break through their strong defence, lead by both Matt Lay and James Breading, who were exceptional all game. Neither side were able to add to the score for the remainder of the half. Half time score 10-0 to Canvey Island .
The second half started in a similar way to the first, with Canvey dominating play. Excellent tactical kicking from fly half Jay Bedford gave the Islanders a lineout just inside the Beccles '22'. The lineout was won as the Canvey pack drove towards the try-line. The rolling maul was too strong for the Beccles forwards as Canvey drove over the Beccles line, with hooker Darren Smith popping up as the scorer after ten minutes of the second half played. Bedford scored the conversion.
Canvey did not stop there and continued to pile the pressure on the tiring Beccles defence. A good backs move from Canvey found Jay Bedford with only the fullback to beat. Bedford chipped over the oncoming player to only be stopped by a late tackle, resulting in a sin-bin for the offending player. Canvey kicked to the corner, for a lineout. The Canvey forwards opted for the driving maul 5 metres out. The frustrated Beccles pack were penalised twice for halting the charging Canvey forwards illegally.
The third maul led to a late tackle on scrum half John Breading, leading to Beccles losing a second player to the sin-bin with 15minutes still left to play. Canvey persisted with the driving maul, which paid off with a well deserved forwards try. Bret Smith came up from the bottom of the pile to celebrate the fourth and final try of the match. The conversion was missed.
Beccles came close to scoring a late consolation try, but were denied by fullback Luke Smith. Both teams were unable to add to the score. Final score Canvey Island 22-0 Beccles.
Canvey move up to sixth in the league after this well-deserved win, hoping to carry on their winning run away at Stowmarket next week.
Man of the match: James Breading
