1st XV
Matches
Sat 16 Jan 2016  ·  Eastern Counties Greene King Division Three South
Clacton Kestrels
5
51
Halstead Templars RFC
1st XV
Tries: B Ballard, a mead, M Beckinsale, M Harwood (2), R Hickox, J DonaldsonConversions: B Ballard (4)Penalties: B Ballard
Clacton Kestrels 5 v H.T.R.F.C 51

Clacton Kestrels 5 v H.T.R.F.C 51

Ed Merry18 Jan 2016 - 14:29
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First of the winning run.

A crisp sunny afternoon on a heavy pitch at Valley Road again proved a happy hunting ground for the Templars running out convincing winners against a game but disorganised home team.

The Templars arrived with a decent squad of 18 after a few last minute drop-outs due to injury. Newcomer Phil Robinson generously offered to play for the opposition who were low on squad numbers and played his first full 80 minutes which will prove valuable in his development.

Unlike the week before the Templars started strongly with the first score coming quickly following a searching kick from outhalf Josh Donaldson was regathered on the 22 following good chase down and with a fortunate bounce to high scoring centre Brett Ballard who dived for the line under the posts. A try he quickly converted.

Indiscipline for the home team at the breakdown, which was a costly pattern for the whole game, saw hooking convert Ash Meade score in the corner following some disciplined rucks and mauls. Try unconverted.

Further home team indiscipline saw Ballard add to his tally with a penalty from the 22

The welcome return of veteran centre Matt Beckinsale who added some experience to the defensive line of the Templars scored next following a lovely blind pass from fullback and man of the match Ed Merry, who opted to pass back inside to his team mate rather than score himself in the corner, despite this the try was unconverted.

The next score was for the hosts after the Templars seemed to switch off and the Clacton backs got it to their nippy winger who scored in the corner which was deserved for their endeavour.

The Templars scrum was dominant led by skipper and prop Adi Illingworth who was also making telling, well timed runs off the sides of mauls, this paved way for the next score for out of position flanker Matt Harwood to score under the post which was converted by Ballard to make the half time score 5-27 to the Templars.

At half time the slick and experience young scrum half Rupert Dando was introduced with young Jack Beckinsale switching to wing and Nik Mckean switching to centre for Matt Beckinsale.

Next try was a result of some strong running from the impressive 2nd row pairing of Josh Beckinsale and ever improving Ben Bird backed up by the consistent performer prop Ryan Rainer who drove to within 5m of the line where Hardwood was in for his 2nd try under the posts which was converted by Ballard making score 5-34.

At this stage Clacton lost scrum half to injury but Templars team manager Aeron Stubbs stepped in to help his hosts but could not stop 2nd row Bird from again making a telling run flooring his fellow teammate on route to setting up another Templars try this time for wing Richard Hickox to score in the corner, unconverted.

With further indiscipline from Clacton skipper they went down to 14 men where Donaldson took full advantage of the numerical superiority by scoring via another unselfish and well timed pass from full back Merry. Unconverted.

The final try of the game came from an unconventional source. Templars camped on the Clacton try line had thrown all they could at the despairing defenders including a 13 man maul and a Romanesque flying wedge. Nothing worked until a speculative cross field kick, more from frustration rather than any tactical forethought, was fielded spectacularly in the air by the salmon-like Michael Foster who soared above the waiting Clacton wing, gathered the ball one handed, before brilliantly side-stepping three covering defenders to cross the line. Ballard finished off the game with a simple conversion.

Coach Steve Arundell and team manager Stubbs were delighted with the return to winning ways and with a home tie against bottom of the table Mersea Island Rhinos on Saturday 23rd this winning run is expected to continue. Templars currently sit in a creditable 4th with 5 wins and 5 losses for the season thus far with 6 games left.

A reminder that Training is at the Priory Hall Pitch, adjacent the cemetary on Wednesdays from 7pm where all are welcome to attend as you will get a warm welcome from the squad and coaches.

Match details

Match date

Sat 16 Jan 2016

Kickoff

14:00

Meet time

12:00

Instructions

Meet at the BiH at 12pm, picking up from Earls Colne Co-op at 12.20pm. If anyone from Sudbury way needs a lift let us know early.
45mins to an hours drive as long as traffic around Colchester is good.
If you are going direct, please let one of the coaches know.

Competition

Eastern Counties Greene King Division Three South
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Primary Sponsor - Secure IT Services Limited
Short Sponsor - Michaels Property Consultants
Training Sponsor - Curry Cottage