Match Report
Match reports 2008/9: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
1st Team Match Report - 4th October 2008
(Away to West Norfolk)
Score: 18 - 15
Canvey made the long trek to West Norfolk only to be beaten by the last kick of the game.
The strong wind and some curious refereeing decisions played a major part in Canveys loss. Playing with the wind on their backs Canvey attacked from the off to have a try disallowed the ref judging the pass to be forward.
After 10 minutes no 8 Tom Gillingwater turned over a Norfolk ball which was passed down the line for winger Tom Deluie to score in the corner. Canvey kept the pressure on and won a ball against the head in a scrum from this fly-half Dave Dennis went over for a try converted by fullback Ben Chandler.
5 minutes from half-time Chandler slotted over a pen, he also pulled off 3 try saving tackles in this half, turning round 15-0 up.
Canvey knew they would be put under pressure this half with the already strong wind picking up even more. Canvey conceded a pen quickly taken by Norfolk who went over to score an unconverted try 5-15. With Canvey a man down injured, Norfolk made a break and scored a converted try only minutes later 12-15.
Canvey then lost center John Breading with a hamstring injury and was replaced by new boy Chay Venman, who only minutes of coming on received a knee in the back from a Norfolk player after falling on the ball behind the Canvey post for a 22 drop out. Canvey had to reshuffle and put flanker Matt Lay in the center.
Making a break he passed the ball to his fullback Chandler for a certain try only to be called back with the ref again judging it to be forward. In the last 15 minutes of the game the ref awarded a series of pens against Canvey, the first unluckily hit the upright and went in 15-15, and then with the last kick of the game Norfolk put another one over although a Norfolk player was at least 15metres infront of the kicker the ref awarded the points saying afterwards he was not interfering with play, 18-15.
Canvey coach Andy Hawes said afterwards"i don't like putting the blame on refs but this one definately cost us the game"
