Match Report
Match reports 2006/7: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
1st Team Match Report - 17th March 2007
(Away to Upminster)
Score: 13 - 17
The Islanders away this week, knew that only a win would do if they are to avoid the relegation drop this season. With only three games left, every game is crucial for Canvey. Upminster on the other hand have occupied one of the top three spots all year, and eyed this game as key for their promotion push.
Canvey won the toss before the game and chose to play against the wind and up the quite severe slope. Canvey's forwards as ever started the brightest, with some storming runs most noticeably from Lee Brumwell and Brett Smith. Some ill discipline and over excitement at the ruck area, gave Upminster a couple of penalty opportunities. The massive boot combined with the conditions in their favour, meant there was no way Upminster's fly half was ever going to miss those kicks. 6 nil up, and for a brief spell the home side just got their tails up.
Upminster found themselves 5m out from Canvey's try line, and drove over for a try for the No.8. The successful conversion meant the scoreline read 13 vs. 0.
Canvey's heads never dropped. A series of barraging runs from centre Joe Buckfield, led Canvey back up the field. Ben Chandler got in on the act too, slicing the Upminster back line on several occasions. This inspired the other members of Canvey's backs division, and glimpses of the way Canvey had played over the last two years, came flooding back.
The forwards secured more ball again, and Upminster had no reply to the driving mauls. Luke Smith had stepped in at scrum half after the loss of John Breading to a broken wrist in the last game. Smith was excellent. He commanded well at the base, and gave good service to his fly half Jay Bedford. In fact it was Bedford who got Canvey there break through. He picked the ball up 20 metres out, stood up his opposite number, and sprinted past him and the covering defence to score. Brett Smith regained his kicking form, and Canvey got their well earned 7pts.
Half time Upminster 13 vs. Canvey 7.
The second half and it was all change regarding the playing conditions. Upminster had solely relied on the big kick of their fly half all game. Now with the wind and the slope against them, life was going to be a lot harder. Harder even still, when the fly half was sin binned for openly punching Brett Smith. Smith smiled, and slotted home the three points.
Canvey were rampant. Forwards and backs linked well, running and tackling tirelessly, fully understanding what this result meant for their season. Canvey received another boost with the return of James Saunders in the second half, club man Russell 'Skinner' Wright given a rest after a superb game of his own.
The Islanders continued to camp out in Upminster's 22 for the rest of the match. Joe Buckfield topped off an outstanding game for himself with the winning try of the game. A combination of poor tackling and hard running allowed the big centre to crash over and seal the win. Smith duly converted, and Canvey had won 13pts to 17pts.
A big win. Basildon next at home. A local Derby with everything to play for.
Man of the match: Luke Smith
