Match Report
Match reports 2008/9: 1st XV | Stacks | Gnus
2nd Team Match Report - 25th October 2008
Score: 10 - 25
Canvey made another away trip this time down the A13 to Barking in this Div 4 Merit table clash.
The Stacks were without Fly half Liam O'Connor & No.8 Nick Edwards to Injury, Full back Steve Hassan, Scott Wheeler, Joe Symons and Aaron Sultana to work commitments and wing Jason Carter and Mike Waters and Simon Rose to first team duties.
Covering these positions were Kieran "Piggy" Nash, Deller the Fella. Mark "the Silver try machine" Turnbull, Scott Floyd. Pete Hardy, Luke Sultana and Dave Woods. With returning 1st team Scrum Half Luke "I'll chin the biggest geezer here" Smith operating at 9, regular Scrum Half Gary Desmond switched to Fly Half.
The Stacks started at a tremendous pace following a call to arms from Skipper Horton. From the resulting Drop out, Canvey secured the ball to string some great runs through the forwards. Skinner (The Dark Lord), Mark Turnbull, Luke Sultana and the returning Deller the Feller rampaged all across the pitch in pursuit of the ball. Youngster Piggy Nash was everywhere and produce a Stirling performance at Hooker, winning many against the head and basically being a nuisance around the pitch.
With this attitude of confidence the Stacks made use (for once) of some good quality ball. Scrum Half Luke Smith created a space to run through and was supported by Props Luke Lanza & Stavos (again impressive), with fast ball Luke passed to Gary who played to Sparky Mailes, Sparky and Pete Hardy crossed and Hardy was almost through to score what would have been a fantastic start, only to be tackled just short. However there was an overlap and quick hands down the line saw young Craig Nash score in the corner. 0 - 5 to Canvey.
Barking came back into the game with a push over try of their own and drew the score's were Level at 5 - 5.
From a Line out, Fly Half Gary Desmond made a clean break to race up the pitch, turning in the tackle to feed Luke Sultana and Piggy Nash. Skipper Horton arrived to secure the ball and Deller Fella picked and drove to the line again the ball was recycled fast and wing Nashy ended up with a quality brace. 5 - 10 to the Stacks.
Next up was a move through the forwards that led to a well deserved try for Skipper Horton. From a scrum, Horton picked and went and the way opened up and he just kept going, crashing over the line with 3 Barking players on him. 1 quality try and 2 new Lungs for Danny Horton.
Half Time arrived 5 - 15 to Stacks
As the second half got underway, the Barking team appeared to change in personnel in different positions. With some flowing moves, they scored what was to be the final score of the game. The Stacks refused to be intimidated by some off the ball action and a few fights opened up off the ball. However this galvanised the Stacks resolve to hold on. Each player to a man stood up to tackle the opposition. Barking were unlucky not to draw level but a few fumbles and a couple of great tackles stopped them. With 2 mins to go, Fly half Gary Desmond just shaved the post with a drop goal that would have secured it and with virtually the last play of the game, Barking again opened up. The Stacks were out on their feet but were still able to close out the game when Barking were judge to have thrown a forward pass.
Final Score Barking 10 - Stacks 15
Skipper Hortons final comments were: Tremendous performance from 1 to 17. Special mentions to the Young Front row of Piggy Nash Luke Lanza and Stavos. Fantastic heart and resolve to not lose the game at the death. The Stacks spirit is back. Well done fella's.
Trys:
Craig Nash 2
Dan "New lungs please" Horton 1
Stacks were: Luke Lanza, Kieran Nash, Stavos, Mark Turnbull, Skinner (The Dark Lord), Deller the Fella, Luke Sultana, Danny Horton (Skipper), Luke Smith, Gary Desmond, Dave Wood, John "Sparky" Mailes, Pete Hardy, Craig Nash, Alfie Webster. Scott Floyd & Matt Gervais.
Man of the Match: Kieran "Piggy" Nash
