Match Report
Match reports 2008/9: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
2nd Team Match Report - 4th October 2008
Score: 19 - 24
When the season is coming to its close, there will be those who still ask how the Stacks managed to ever lose this game. No disrespect to Westcliff but this was more a case of the Stacks losing it than Westcliff winning it.
With Fly Half Liam O'Connor out with Injury, returning Canvey first teamer Luke Smith took the reigns at Fly half. Also back for the Stacks was Hooker Joe Symons, Mike Waters and Northy on leave, missing were no. 8 Nick Edwards (Injury) and Hooker Rob Miles (3rd team duties). The start of the game never showed that the result would be in any doubt. Attacking from the first whistle the Stacks forwards (again lighter than their opponents) chased hard to secure ball, and with the pace being injected into the game the Stacks should have had two early try's within the first 15 mins, but white line fever when overlaps were in abundance put paid to those chances.
For some reason the Stacks could not get going and from a penalty in front of the posts, Westcliff took first blood with 3 points. With some good strong runs from Northy, Tony Wheeler and Skipper Horton and Luke Lanza. Again though outsized the two young props of Luke Lanza and Stavos more than held their own. It was therefore a big disappointment when Westcliff then took the lead further with a try. This was again to some sloppy play and the Stacks conceding a penalty, with the heavier pack and some poor tackling the Westcliff forwards were able to drive over. With the try converted, the Stacks arrived at Half time 0 - 10 down.
Skipper Horton waded in with some strong advice and a few well placed kicks to various arses and the Stacks stormed out for the second half. Northy and Tony Wheeler started to create havoc and from the resulting turnovers, the back line was able to get some decent ball, from a resulting penalty, Scrum Half Gary Desmond tapped and went, the ball made its way along the line and with the forwards led by the rampaging Skinner drove deep into the Westcliff 22, flanker Tony Wheeler picked up and went clear to score. With the Conversion missed Canvey were now clawing their way back. The next try came about again by Canvey attacking the space, the Backs using the ball wisely played it down the line, Mike Waters cut through the middle and was able to off load to John Campion who beat 2 tackles to continue the drive on, with the forwards supporting in numbers, Hooker Joe Symons went under the post's. The Conversion took Canvey in front 12 - 10.
However we were to lose Full Back Steve Hassan (Ankle) and fly half Luke Smith (Hamstring). Centre John Mailes stepped in at Fly Half and Alfie Webster switched to full back and Bobby Lynch came on to the wing. Scott Wheeler on in the 2nd Row, Mike Waters was able to exert himself in the back line. From a line out, Westcliff gave away a penalty and Tony Wheeler stormed down the wing to increase Canvey's lead. With Gary converting the Try it was 19 - 10 to Canvey. The Stacks were now starting to play good Rugby and the backs and forwards combined well for what could have been the move of the game. The Stacks were to drive the length of the pitch to the Westcliff try line. In trying to secure the ball and clear out the Westcliff forwards laying on the ball the Ref, shocked the Canvey forwards by awarding a penalty to Westcliff for Canvey killing the ball (obviously, you would do that, wouldn't ya). Westcliff were able to clear and from the drive up the pitch scored a well deserved try. 19 - 17 to Canvey.
With virtually the last play of the game, the Westcliff 15 kicked over the top and appeared to be pulled back. The ref awarded a penalty and the stacks were left flat footed, thinking that Westcliff would kick for position. The Westcliff forwards gave it one last effort and one of the young props beat 4 tackles to score under the post's. Final Score Stacks 19 - Westcliff 24.
Skipper Horton's final comments were: "Gutted, first Merit table loss but we were unlucky, could not believe we had lost it at the death. We turned around the poor first half and didn't deserve to lose this close encounter. Some funny decisions from the ref at critical times also confused the players and the watching support. However we have to pick ourselves up for the next challenge". Man of the match went to No one
Try's
Tony Wheeler 2
Joe Symons 1
Cons
Gary Desmond 2
Stacks were: Luke Lanza, Joe Symons, Stavos, Skinner, Mike Waters, Northy, Tony Wheeler, Dan Horton (Skipper), Gary Desmond, Luke Smith, Alfie Webster, John Mailes, John Campion, Craig "Nashy" Nash, Steve Hassan, Scott Wheeler & Bobby Lynch
