Writtle IIs 27 - 27 Kings Cross Steelers IIIs

The cold, wet, windy morning had cleared to leave a sunny, yet cold afternoon when both teams arrived unusually early for a game involving two teams towards the bottom of the lowest league in Essex. Both sides having substitutes was a particularly unusual luxury too!

An earlier meet time for Writtle meant an entire hour was given for a touch session, followed by a backs and forwards moves session. Unusually the 2nd team had two excellent line out jumpers with Jack and Harry both jumping high and well. The backs were able to practice their moves, which was obvious when it came to game time, with a couple of the tries coming directly from moves. Unfortunately Steelers were unable to field a competent front row, they may have seen the size of Big Phil/Harry and lost their bottle but this may just be a despicable rumour spread by malcotents who enjoy a bit too much cuddling! The scrums were, therefore uncontested which lost Writtle a major advantage.

The match was started well by both teams with real end to end action for the first 5 minutes, it quickly became clear that Writtle were better in the tackle but Steelers better in the rucks with several Steelers losing their balls in the tackle and winning it back in ensuing rucks.

The first try went to Steelers with an instantaneous response with Ben Parkhurst, who ran well all game going over after Steelers had stolen the ball from a Writtle players hands whilst trying to touch down. A second followed shortly after through Fraser Battye to put Writtle ahead at the break.

Half Time 10 - 7

The half time talk was focused on the break down with an emerging worry about the continued loss of ball at the rucks. The first half had seen some outstanding performances from several players with Alex 'Savs' Dring, Ollie Redfern, Jack Conarty and Steve Ogles all putting in some massive tackles. The aforementioned Steve O was running some great lines and together with Harry Duddridge and Ben Parkhurst made several line breaks.

The second half commenced and due to a combination of injuries and tiredness the game started to really open up. A Penalty from Steelers got them back level before a magnificent solo try from Ryan Logue (on loan from Witham) under the posts allowed Steve O to convert and put Writtle ahead 17-10.

A lack of understanding at the breakdown (something Writtle will be working on during training) lead to another penalty that Witham duly converted. This was followed by another try for Steelers to go ahead 17-20.

As we entered the final ten minutes the game was on a knife edge with play going each way in quick succession, however a beautiful team try from Writtle put them ahead. A line break from Glen, pass to Harry, pick up from Ben Parkhurst and every forward involved in rucking or pick and drives kept Steelers on the back foot before the ball was shipped out to the backs who passed down the line, taking full advantage of their numerical superiority to put Joe Owen over. With every player involved in the build up that had started in Writtle's 22 this was without a shadow of doubt the best try of the game. Every single Writtle player was involved and should be proud of themselves. Try unconverted 22-20

With four minutes to go and Writtle supporters beginning to get exited, the inevitable happened. The Steelers number 8, who had already played a fantastic game broke the line and ran the length of the pitch - taking the great tackle from Oliie whilst offloading to the support runner. Try converted, score 27-22 with 2 minutes to go.

The last couple of minutes seemed to last a lifetime but Writtle managed to steal the ball back and with the clock ticking down and with the last play of the game Writtle launched an attack. Great forwards pick and drives lead Writtle to the Steelers 22 before the ball shipped wide to the backs, a little bit of interplay between Ollie and Fraser left Fraser leading a 3 on 3 against the Steelers back line, a dummy to Ollie gave Fraser a tiny gap through which he squeezed, a desperate hand brushed his collar before Fraser squirmed through, scoring by the touchline.

Score was 27-27 with a chance to win the game from the resultant conversion. There was a lack of enthusiasm to take the kick until Ryan stepped up to take it with much confidence. He moved confidently towards the ball, kicked through the ball and it started towards the posts but I could feel the light breeze quicken up. The breeze caught the ball and took it wide of the posts for a well deserved draw.

Final score 27-27

MOM - Alex 'Savs' Dring for great tackling and runs all game long
DOD - Joe Owen for dropping ball when in for a try

Captains note - Well played everyone, great result. We must be better in the breakdown though, this means releasing when you are told to and getting to them quicker. I think we need to be fitter as a team so would encourage everyone to attend training whenever they can. We have no game next weekend so if you want to be considered for the first team, try and get to training on Thursday.
I am away for the next week or so, so see you all again on the 19th October.

Glen