Match Report
Match reports 2006/7: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
1st Team Match Report - 16th December 2006
(Away to Basildon)
Score: 12 - 25
The much eagerly awaited local derby finally arrived this Saturday, when Basildon played hosts to Canvey. It had been years since these two clubs had last met in 1 st XV action, and a host of former players from both sides were in attendance to see where the balance of power currently sits.
Form from both sides had been a bit hit and miss this season, with Basildon losing to Chelmsford two weeks ago whilst inflicting league leaders Saffron Walden's only defeat this season. Canvey's injury hit season was no big secret either, but they had recorded a win against Chelmsford , whilst losing twice to Saffron Walden. So form was nothing to go by..... but in local derby's, form counts for very little!
Canvey lost Lee Brumwell through injury the day before the game. However the ever improving Lloyd Miller in at loose head prop, showed his mettle and proved why he is a serious contender for first choice front row, in only his first season at prop. Miller was immense.
As usual Basildon had a very large pack, and at first the Islanders thought the best idea would be to keep the ball away from the tight eight. Although large, Basildon 's forwards lacked fitness, and found themselves second to the breakdown on most occasions. Matt Lay, Brett Smith and Nick Edwards, gave some fine examples of back row loose play. This gave the Canvey forwards much confidence and under the instructions of scrum half John Breading, they made in-roads through the Basildon pack with some fine driving mauls.
10mins in and David Dennis slotted over a well executed drop goal against his former club, to earn Canvey a 3pt to nil lead. Basildon responded with a well rehearsed back row move, providing space and an overlap for the pacy fullback to hit the line and score. The resulting conversion meant the home side lead 7-3.
Canvey hit back when a backs move allowed Dennis to attack the right wing before slipping the ball inside to centre Joe Buckfield, who barraged his way over the line from close range. The Islanders were up and for the rest of the half ran riot over Basildon, totally dominating possession and territory.
Hard work and good service from the Islanders pack gave Jay Bedford and his backline a good platform from which to work from. This resulted in winger Luke Smith, coming off his wing and hitting a gap in the home defence at pace. Then in true text book fashion he drew in two players and flighted a carefully weighted pass to wing Jason Carter who raced to the corner for Canvey's second.
Half Time 7-13.
Basildon made a couple of changes, and Canvey looked to inflict further damage. As the game went on the pitch already quite water logged, began to deteriorate, and players legs began to get heavy. This lead to more spaces, and a more open game in the second half.
Canvey scored first this half with Brett Smith topping off an improved performance by him with a dogged try. As space became more readily available, aided by some missed Canvey tackles, Basildon managed to score a break away try. The score now sat at 12-18. For a brief while favour had turned Basildon 's way, the bounce of the ball and the refereeing decisions.
Canvey then got hit with more injuries, losing both centres Joe Buckfield and the ever improving Ben Chandler. This lead to a quick re-shuffle, with club man Russell Wright coming in at second row, moving lock James Breading to open side. Brett Smith went in at centre with Jason Carter, and Stefan Lay went on to the wing.
With the odds in Basildon 's favour, the game could easily have turned, but the Islanders did not allow it. They fought back and piled the pressure on Basildon, not letting them out of their own 22. With the scores still close and time running out, tighthead prop James Saunders went off on a run 10m out and stormed over the line in dramatic fashion. The conversion was added by Bedford, which proved to be the last kick of the game.
Final score 12-25.
How fitting that three of Canvey's four tries came way of 'The Old Guard', that were in the side that last played a competitive 1 st XV game in this Derby. Joe Buckfield, Jason Carter & James Saunders.
As we go into the Christmas break.... Canvey, Stowmarket & Basildon are all tied on 6pts each in the league.
Man of the match: Matthew Lay (getting back to his best)
