Erith vs Foots Cray

Erith are on the defence in their own half, but through a good defence gain the ball, quick passing through the backs and Josh Smith splits the opposition defence line for Erith's first try. Erith again, start strong.

Next Erith spend a long period without the ball defending, and the game turns into a slow grind with the wings seeing very little ball.

Foots Cray finally break through Erith's defence and score their first try of the game.

Erith setup a mall close to Foots Cray try line and with encouragement from the side line push over, no try, ball is held up off the ground.

With a few missed penalty kicks by Erith, the captain Bradly Powell decides to go for a kick for a line out trusting his forwards. The kick is good and Erith get another lineout close to the opposition's try line. Bill Pretty (vice captain) throws the ball in. Jumper jumps, lifters lift, ball is smacked backwards, Erith's number 2, Aaron Miller, catches and bear hugs the ball, head down and charges straight for the try line only to be met by a stubborn Foots Cray defense, but Aaron determinedly stays on his feet and holds the ground his made. Foots Cray crowd around Aaron, Erith's forwards react quickly and get behind him. The mall is set. Again. But Foots Cray get a grip on the ball. Erith's mall keeps marching forwards. As the mall drifts over the try line, with one arm around the ball Aaron wrestles it free. Whistle goes try to Erith. Aaron Millers first ever try.

The scores are now even, two tries to both sides and both sides missing their conversion kicks.

Both teams struggling for ground to be made, Foots Cray gain momentum. Ten metres from the Erith try line they get a penalty. The opposition decide for a tap and go, quickly pass the ball to one of their big runners with the try line only five metres away now, he runs hard and slightly to his right, for the promised white line. Aaron follows the ball to his left, then goes low and hard, arms stretched out, powers forward, his right shoulder like a boulder crashing into the opposition's left leg, breaking Foots Cray's momentum and Erith follow up with steadfast defense.

Now close to Foots Cray's try line Erith get a penalty, Steve Lydate, with his immense experience grabs the ball, quickly taps and runs, looking to pass, he then hears the call to go for the beckoning try line, knowing his got support right behind him he charges forward angling to his left. Steve is rewarded with a bloodied nose and Erith's third try.

Bradly Powell decides to go for his first attempt to convert, composed and calmly kicks the ball and gets it over and between the posts. And in similar fashion with a chilled calmness Bradly captained the team to their first victory in a long time.

Full time score:
17 Erith - 10 Foots Cray