1st Team
Matches
Sat 14 Nov 2015  ·  London 3 North East
Upminster Rugby Football Club
1st Team
Tries: A Simmonett
5
29
Epping Upper Clapton
Impressive display against unbeaten Epping

Impressive display against unbeaten Epping

Dan Feasey16 Nov 2015 - 10:20
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Confidence slowly coming back for the boys

After the back of their first win of the season confidence was starting to crawl back into the team as Upminster played hosts to top of the table and unbeaten Epping Upper Clapton. It was a wet and windy day which would pave the way for a very scrappy game. Epping starting the game off kicking high into the wind and started very well with a number of phases being played between the forwards until Upminster forced a turnover ball and subsequent knock on to have the first scrum of the game. A tightly contested scrum, some what a surprise for the visitors and Upminster came away with the ball and started playing for territory early. After a few exchanged it was Epping who had the men on the overlap down the left wing and scored the first try of the game as they passed the ball through the hands neatly - 5-0 to the visitors. Upminster quickly rallied the troops and was working extremely hard in defence which saw a number of big hits coming into the game before the ball came loose in the Epping half and Alfie Simmonett calmly playing football into the corner and diving on the ball just before the dead ball line. A quick discussion between ref and linesman saw the try awarded and it was game on at 5 -5. Epping were back on the attack but Upminster’s defence was again exceptional and Jack Goldrick completed a fantastic interception but with the empty park infront of him wasn’t able to keep the ball in his grasps. Upminster seemed to be stuck in their own half for a while and even after some sublime tackling and rucking Epping found their way through the gap to score and duly convert – 12-5 to Epping. Upminster were still on the attack and in the Epping half forced a penalty and opted to go for the points, but with high winds and in the rain missed. Epping back with the ball found their groove in the final parts of the half, with ball in hand hit the winger who scores in the corner again to make it half time and 17-5 lead.

Despite the score-line Upminster were in no way out of this game and they knew it. It was a very scrappy second half with plenty of scrums coming off the back of knock ons as the rain continued to pour down. The game has become very stop start with much less attacking flare from both teams, the play seemed to be camped in the middle of the park with both team playing the kicking game without much success. Epping started to get hands on the ball but a huge tackle from George Cox started to set the scene that there may not be any more points left in this game. Dan Smith playing at full back for the second week running continued to play territory but could find the spaces to take hold of the match and get back into it. With 10 minutes to go you could tell the legs of the boys in yellow and blue were starting to fade, being camped in their own 22 it was only a matter of time before some quick play see Epping put another score on the board and convert to make it 24-5. Upminster continued to stay strong, but the fitness of the visitors really started to show and with the last play of the game quick hands saw another try in the corner from the winger to make the final score 29-5. Although the score line states another loss for Upminster it was a hugely impressive display and this will certainly put more confidence into the boys with an away trip to Stowmarket up next!

Match details

Match date

Sat 14 Nov 2015

Kickoff

14:15

Competition

London 3 North East
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Warm Up Shirt Sponsor - JPDavis Flooring
1st XV Shirt Sponsors - HDR
Senior Club Sponsor - Upminster Osteopathic Practice
Club Shop Sponsor - Fenton Sports
Saracens Partner Club - Saracens