Match Report
Match reports 2006/7: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
1st Team Match Report - 13th January 2007
(Away to Stowmarket)
Score: 8 - 26
Canvey travelled to Stowmarket with a squad that welcomed back Number 8 Nick Edwards. The Islanders were seeking revenge for the defeat suffered earlier in the season back at Tewkes Creek, but suffered an early setback when prop James Saunders joined the long Canvey injury list before the match had even begun. Saunders picked up a knock during the warm-up on a re-occurring injury, which meant he played no part in the game.
The game began with Canvey dominating early possession and imposed a great deal of attacking pressure on the Stowmarket defence, which they struggled to contain. The Canvey forwards and backs combined well to give Canvey the early advantage with an early try courtesy of centre Ben Chandler. After several phases from the Canvey pack, which put the home sides' defence on the back foot, fly half Jay Bedford orchestrated a move, which gave centre Joe Buckfield a gap in the midfield. Buckfield broke through and presented his partnering centre Ben Chandler with the space to finish off a well-worked Canvey try. Chandler converted his own try to give Canvey a 7-0 lead after just 5 minutes played.
Within minutes of the first score, Canvey found themselves with a lineout near the halfway line. The lineout ball was secured and the ball was very quickly shipped out to the opposite wing, stretching the home team's defence. Superb handling from Canvey, which was reminiscent of the opposition's performance in the previous encounter, lead to lock James Breading providing the overlap out in the backs. Breading drew in the Stowmarket winger before passing to pacey wing Joshua Campagna, who raced home to score the second try of the day. The extra two points were missed, 12 - 0 to Canvey.
Stowmarket were clearly shocked by the way that Canvey had started the game and managed to up their performance and prevent the match from becoming a whitewash, which the two early scores appeared that the match might become. Stowmarket came straight back at Canvey and were dominant in the forwards for the remainder of the first half. The Stow forwards gained yardage and dominated the scrums, which gave their backs a brilliant platform to work from, however they could not penetrate the resilient defence of Canvey.
Stowmarket maintained territory and after nearly ten minutes of being camped in the Canvey half, came away with 3 points via a penalty from their fly half. Neither side could add to the score in what was an evenly matched last 15 minutes of the first half.
The second half was more of an even encounter with both sides playing hard, physical rugby with both teams hitting strong lines of running. Both packs were rising to the challenge set out by their opposition, which lead to a physical yet very entertaining half of rugby.
After 15 minutes of play, Canvey found themselves just outside the Stowmarket '22'. Strong forward momentum gave their backs the space to spread the ball wide, with the ball finding winger Jason Carter. Carter had the space to round his opposite man and score a try in the corner, which Chandler duly converted, 19-3 Canvey led.
Stowmarket attacked from the kick off through their huge forwards and appeared to be making a breakthrough, however the Islanders rose to the challenge, defending strongly and pinning the Suffolk side back through some impressive tactical kicking. Their fourth try came after a monster tackle from Canvey centre Joe Buckfield in the midfield. The ball spilled out of the Stowmarket inside centre's hands, which Jay Bedford pounced on, kicking the ball through and outpacing the opposition to score the try. The conversion was successful.
Stowmarket never stopped and finally scored their deserved consolation try within minutes of the final whistle. They camped within metres of the try-line and after continued pressure, their forwards were rewarded with a try after several phases of attack. The conversion was missed.
Final Score: Stowmarket 8 vs 26 Canvey Island
Man of the match: Ben Chandler
