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LATE, LATE WIN FOR THE WYVERNS
Gary Bird19 Dec 2016 - 14:21
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Win ends successful 2016 for East London 2s
East London’s second team the Wyverns rounded off 2016 with a hard-fought 23-20 victory over Brentwood 2s at the Memorial Ground in West Ham on Saturday (17 December).
In a topsy-turvy match, it wasn’t until the death that East London sealed the victory that moves them to fourth place in Shepherd Neame Essex Merit Table division one.
East London had an opportunity to take an early lead but fly-half Alan Ferguson failed to convert a penalty from distance. On 15 minutes a last ditch tackle from skipper and scrum-half Jacob Williams saved his team from going behind.
Both sides traded missed penalties and blindside flanker Dave Gibson was held up over the line as he tried to ground the ball for a home try. It was the closest either side came as the half ended scoreless.
A second-half change saw Sean Ellison replace Joe Kelly on the left wing before Brentwood took the lead with a converted try.
On 46 minutes East London were level. Good pressure from a scrum on the five-metre line saw Williams score with the assist from openside flanker Ben Combarro. Ferguson’s conversion levelled the match.
The lead was short lived when Brentwood got their noses in from with a penalty two minutes later and a converted try on 52 minutes which stretched their advantage to ten points.
A successful Ferguson penalty was cancelled out by a Brentwood penalty before East London then stepped up their game.
An unconverted try on 65 minutes by right wing Corey Griffiths narrowed the score and with the final whistle approaching a try by replacement Oliver Bastable tied the game again. Ferguson failed to land the conversion but he made no mistake at the death with a penalty that ensured the East London victory by three points.
Skipper Williams said: “It was a great game and a reflection of how far we have come in 2016. After being promoted this season we’ve more than held our own against more experienced opponents.”
East London teams are next in action on Saturday 7 January. The 1st XV are at home at the Memorial Ground to Basildon. The Wyverns travel to Chelmsford 2s. The third team, who sit third in Shepherd Neame Essex Merit Table division five, are at home to Benfleet. The fourth team are set to play Witham 2s at home. East London Ladies are at home to Harwich & Dovercourt Ladies on Sunday 8 January. All games kick-off at 2pm.
East London Wyverns vs Brentwood: 1. Adrian Samuel; 2. Ben Hogan; 3. Sam Corbett; 4. Oliver Hillyer-Riley; 5. Eoin Kelly; 6. Dave Gibson; 7. Ben Combarro; 8. Rob Yiannakou; 9. Jacob Williams; 10. Alan Ferguson; 11. Joe Kelly; 12. Walter Scott; 13. Ryan Billinghurst; 14. Corey Griffiths; 15. Alex Pearmain. Replacements: 16. Sean Ellison; 17. Joe Dunton; 18. Rupert Boateng; 19. Oliver Bastable.
In a topsy-turvy match, it wasn’t until the death that East London sealed the victory that moves them to fourth place in Shepherd Neame Essex Merit Table division one.
East London had an opportunity to take an early lead but fly-half Alan Ferguson failed to convert a penalty from distance. On 15 minutes a last ditch tackle from skipper and scrum-half Jacob Williams saved his team from going behind.
Both sides traded missed penalties and blindside flanker Dave Gibson was held up over the line as he tried to ground the ball for a home try. It was the closest either side came as the half ended scoreless.
A second-half change saw Sean Ellison replace Joe Kelly on the left wing before Brentwood took the lead with a converted try.
On 46 minutes East London were level. Good pressure from a scrum on the five-metre line saw Williams score with the assist from openside flanker Ben Combarro. Ferguson’s conversion levelled the match.
The lead was short lived when Brentwood got their noses in from with a penalty two minutes later and a converted try on 52 minutes which stretched their advantage to ten points.
A successful Ferguson penalty was cancelled out by a Brentwood penalty before East London then stepped up their game.
An unconverted try on 65 minutes by right wing Corey Griffiths narrowed the score and with the final whistle approaching a try by replacement Oliver Bastable tied the game again. Ferguson failed to land the conversion but he made no mistake at the death with a penalty that ensured the East London victory by three points.
Skipper Williams said: “It was a great game and a reflection of how far we have come in 2016. After being promoted this season we’ve more than held our own against more experienced opponents.”
East London teams are next in action on Saturday 7 January. The 1st XV are at home at the Memorial Ground to Basildon. The Wyverns travel to Chelmsford 2s. The third team, who sit third in Shepherd Neame Essex Merit Table division five, are at home to Benfleet. The fourth team are set to play Witham 2s at home. East London Ladies are at home to Harwich & Dovercourt Ladies on Sunday 8 January. All games kick-off at 2pm.
East London Wyverns vs Brentwood: 1. Adrian Samuel; 2. Ben Hogan; 3. Sam Corbett; 4. Oliver Hillyer-Riley; 5. Eoin Kelly; 6. Dave Gibson; 7. Ben Combarro; 8. Rob Yiannakou; 9. Jacob Williams; 10. Alan Ferguson; 11. Joe Kelly; 12. Walter Scott; 13. Ryan Billinghurst; 14. Corey Griffiths; 15. Alex Pearmain. Replacements: 16. Sean Ellison; 17. Joe Dunton; 18. Rupert Boateng; 19. Oliver Bastable.
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