Match Report
Match reports 2008/9: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
2nd Team Match Report - 18th October 2008
Score: 11 - 17
On another rather unusually warm Saturday, Canvey made the short journey across Raleigh Weir to Rochford. The Stacks welcomed back, Fly half Liam O'Connor, Full back Steve Hassan, No.8 Nick Edwards from Injury and wing Jason Carter.
The Stacks started at a very good pace with some driving runs through the forwards, it was within the space of 10 mins when The Stacks opened up the scoring with a well worked move. From a Line out and short catch and drive, Scrum half Gary Desmond (Merlin) fed through to Liam O'Connor and the back line made a move to the Rochford 22. The Stacks forwards led by Skipper Horton and 2nd Row Russell (The Dark Lord Skinner) Wright followed up to secure the ball and No. 8 Nick Edwards carried towards the 5 metre line before slipping a pass to Liam O'Connor, Liam had time to beat a defender before off loading to Gary in support, who went in to score. With the conversion missed it was 0 - 5 to Canvey.
If the Stacks thought this was going to be the start of things to come, they were very much mistaken, because they spent the rest of the 1st half making mistake after mistake and playing into the hands of the big but not very mobile Rochford forwards. There were further opportunities for scores but on at least 2 occasions, white line fever kicked in with glaring overlaps on offer. Tut, tut, tut.
From an infringement on the 22, Rochford were able to secure 3 points from a penalty. From another promising Stacks move that broke down, Canvey were to lose fly half Liam O'Connor to the reoccurring ankle injury. After some shuffling around, Alfie Webster went to fly half and Scott Wheeler came into the second Row, with Simon Rose moving into the centre.
Rochford scored a push over try from a scrum and led the Stacks 8 - 5 and this was followed by a penalty to take Rochford in at half time 11 - 5.
Skipper Horton, shook is head and could not understand how the Stacks were doing their utmost to lose the game, some choice words were spoken as well as strong advise from Jason and the second half started with a better attitude with the ball being played out to the backs.
With the impressive young Props Luke Lanza and Stavos starting to get a grip on the much bigger, older and uglier Rochford forwards, the Stacks base to attack was starting to gel. After a few moves had broke down due to knock on's and mistakes, Jason Carter came into the centre. Centre John "Sparky" Mailes switched to fly half and the Stacks picked up with some good strong runs. One move resulted in a try, which was judged to be forward by the ref and with 15 to go the Stacks were starting to see a defeat.
A quick break from Sparky put Jason through who set up the forwards, Aaron Sultana, picked and drove with the rest of the pack to the Rochford line, quick ball from the base, saw Hooker Joe Symons go over the line, Fullback Steve Hassan converted to take the Stacks in front. 11 - 12.
With about 2 mins to go a scrum on the Rochford 10 metre line produced a Stacks move that stuck. Going left Nick Edwards picked and passed to Gary, Gary played to Sparky, who flicked to Jason Carter, Jason drew the player and passed to Alfie who nearly fumbled but held on to put Steve Hassan in the corner, strewth!!
Final Score Rochford 11 - Stacks 17.
Skipper Hortons final comments were: f**k , that was to close for comfort, no more like that fella's, we need to be more clinical and we have to make use of the overlaps. However a good strong finish produced a deserved win.
Trys:
Gary Desmond (merlin) 1
Joe Symons 1
Steve Hassan 1
Kicks:
Steve Hassan 1 Con
Stacks were: Luke Lanza, Joe Symons, Stavos, Aaron Sultana, Skinner (The Dark Lord), Simon Rose, Danny Horton (Skipper), Nick Edwards, Gary Desmond (merlin), Liam O'Connor, Jason Carter, John "Sparky" Mailes, Alfie Webster, Craig Nash, Steve Hassan & Scott Wheeler.
Man of the Match: Nick Edwards
