Clinical Upminster Display sees off Harwich and Dovercourt

Upminster welcomed Harwich and Dovercourt on Saturday, a game that had added meaning given we had our first Ladies Day afternoon tea in support MNDA. Upminster were in high spirits having not played a competitive league fixture since the start of the new year and were chomping at the bit to get out there and just enjoy some competitive rugby.

Having played Harwich at the beginning of the season and narrowly beating them 18-3, we knew we would be in for a competitive game. So as the first whistle came there was an anxious mood around the club having not played in so long, but what we saw on Saturday was an attacking display that was so brilliant it really didn't give Harwich a chance to get back into the game. As the game kicked off Harwich were in possession and struggling to make any ground. Harwich were forced to make several kicks to relieve some pressure which proved costly as that tactic just released our electric backline who would give us our first lot of tries. Alfie Simmonett managed to be the beneficiary of some excellent team and individual brilliance from Josh Simmons, Jake Jones and Rob Stanley to bag 5 tries in the first half. Warren Lowe also managed to get on the score sheet after a fine set piece move. Harwich to their credit battled away towards the end of the first half and with Upminster being lazy at the breakdown and conceding penalties, managed to get within our 5 metre line. Harwich's pick and go around the breakdown was effective and with some continued pressure managed to grab a score. The end of the first half saw some dazzling runs from our forwards Frankie Weyland and Ben Fryatt both making 50 metres each both unfortunately not converting their efforts.

As the half time whistle went Upminster had built a healthy lead and secured the bonus point however we still knew we needed to improve on a few things and were determined to put them right in the second half. Upminster's determination to attack was met with little resistance in the second half. Tries came from everywhere and everyone was determined to get on the score sheet. Upminster's forwards who's fitness was clearly superior than they're opposite numbers, made some seriously impressive runs with ball in hand and with Harwich's inability to make their first up tackles, allowed us to get good go forward play and a simple support line was enough to finish off with a try. Chris Lamb, finished off an excellent set play move to start the scoring off. This was followed by excellent tries by Matthew Munn and Luke Potter both scoring two each by exploiting the space and finishing well. Josh Simmons and Jake Jones were able to get on the score sheet by good work from George Cox who attacked the space well and finished some good play by un-selfishly providing the final pass for Jake and Josh to Score. The captain then got on the score sheet himself with a barnstorming run from 40 metres out. The "floodgates" were well and truly open by this point. The tries of the half came from two players the first was scored by Alfie Simmonett for his sixth try but it wasn't so much the try scorer but the assist from Grant Lowe that snatched the headlines. Grant Weaved in and out of his opposing prop leaving him for dead before giving the ball to Alfie to finish from 50 metres out. The other try was provided by Jimmy Harper, Jimmy found the ball around 60 metres out from the try line. The barraging 2nd row was able to beat several defenders who missed their tackles on him and set off towards the try line. Jimmy was hunted down by the covering Harwich player who managed to get the faintest of tap tackles on him, but Jimmy was able to reach out and touch down for the score.

The final whistle went with the score finished on 98-7. A classy team performance with all players excelling on the pitch. MOTM went to Jake Jones for his un-selfish play however it really was a true team performance with all credit going to the players.

Credit to Harwich for the journey down and we wish them all the best for the remainder of the season.

Final note must go to all involved with organising the Ladies Day at the club on Saturday. The club provided an amazing event that was enjoyed by all, even better to have raised so much money for such worthwhile cause #mnda.