Match Report - LSW3 - Vandals v Effingham and Leatherhead

Effingham and Leatherhead 3 pts Weybridge vandals 12 pts .

Vandals were worthy winners against their local rivals in a game which was played in persistent rain throughout making handling the wet ball something of a lottery. There were errors galore from both sides but whereas Vandals suffered from the greasy ball, many of Effingham’s mistakes in the handling department resulted from the pressure they were under from Vandals aggressive defence. The tackling particularly in the second half when the home side threatened was first rate and Effingham’s attacks were snuffed out inside the 22 area. Vandals forwards won the set piece battle and the back line held most of the trump cards, causing all sorts of problems for their opponents.

Early play Effingham winning some territory but missing a penalty chance to take the lead that Vandals then got the first of several turnovers with lock Simon Boffee getting the plaudits and their power up front led to 2 penalties which penned Effingham in their own 22. Going through the phases they eventually stretched and breached the defence and flanker Carl Hoade forced his way over for the try. With fly half Tom Bolger making a break and the pack thrusting forwards Vandals appeared to be heading for another try, but they were falling foul of the referee with the official awarding a number of 50/50 penalties to Effingham. The home side took full advantage to attack from deep, but Vandals defence stood firm and a lovely break by full back George Bolster relieve the pressure. Another scrum penalty allowed Effingham to surge forward, but at the lineout they lost the ball and a great chance to level the scores. Vandals turned around at half time leading by the solitary try but frustrated they could not have scored more points and taken the game away from Effingham.

This frustration was felt even more when Effingham converted a penalty less than 5 minutes into the second half but Vandals put this reverse behind them with Bolger putting in a superb cross kick for winger Greg Lynch to fasten onto, beat 2 players and touchdown for a great try. Scrum half Dan Wellden converted to give his side a 12 points 23 lead. The centre partnership of Lloyd Pullen and Harry Weatherall which had always threatened in the first half now continued to run at their opponents and only some desperate defence and odd referees’ decisions prevented Vandals from scoring again. But only with a slender lead 9 pnt advantage they needed to keep a grip on their game. Effingham were now throwing caution to the wind and running the ball back at Vandals, with their forwards showing supremacy in the driving mauls with one tremendous 50 metre drive causing Vandals to backpedal at some rate of knots. The close quarter action led to tempers becoming somewhat frayed with two players, one from each side, being carded, but Vandals repelled any further Effingham attacks to see out the game and record their 4th League victory.

The weather conditions were not conducive to fast flowing rugby but both sides attempted to play with vandals having to work hard for their victory holding the upper hand in areas where it counted. No8 and captain for the day in the absence of injured Harry Reed, Joshua Carter played in his customary competitive manner but just as important he galvanised his team to a winning performance and kept them strong in periods were Effingham were piling on the pressure.

Written By John Farrow