London div 3 north east SWF 22 Upminster 18

This was a game that both sides needed towin to maintain their good start to the season. There was a few changes in the SWF lineup most notable of these were the debut of Power and the return to red and black for Andy Williams after a long absence, although in the unusual position of flanker. Both sides cancelled each other out for the first 5 minutes until the referee penalised SWF and Upminster scored from the kick to lead 3-0.
The next ten minutes was thrust and counter thrust with neither side dominating until a penalty to SWF saw Reeve put the ball into touch on the Upminster 5 metre line. The line out was won and from resulting maul Wilson peeled off the back to score the try and put SWF ahead 5-3, SWF enjoyed dominance for the next few minutes and in the 22nd minute a penalty against Upminster was marched 10 metres nearer the goal line for dissent and Reeve took the opportunity well to leave SWF ahead 8-3. Upminster came back strongly and after moving the ball across the pitch right and back across to the left hand side their whole team had contributed to a well worked try in the corner to leave the scores at 8-8. SWF again had real pressure on the Upminster line and spurned 2 kickable penalties and went for the line outs but they came up short both times and looked to have wasted their chances, but as Upminster tried to run the ball out of defence Bull intercepted and kept a cool head to feed Apthorp who scored his first try of the season, Reeve converted to leave SWF ahead at halftime 15-8.
The second half started and led to a 20 minute period of dominance by SWF, despite some good play they came away pointless and from Upminsters first foray into the SWF half in the 62nd minute Upminster scored a try to level the game 15-15. This began a period of intense play punctuated by a yellow card for Williams for hands in the ruck in the 68th minute and Upminster with their tails up went looking for the killer score. The SWF defence was heroic but could not stop Upminster winning a penalty which they scored to leave them ahead 18-15. With 14 men on the pitch and against a strong Upminster side SWF looked a beaten side, but that was not evident first Gilbert and the inspirational captain Gittos cut through the Upminster lines and Tighe carried it on before feeding Wilson who went over for his second try of the game. Reeve calmly converted to leave SWF ahead 22-18. The last were very nervy for the supporters of both sides as Upminster again went looking for the winner, but the defence of SWF withstood the onslaught to secure victory and send their fans home happy.
Squad-Gittos, Gilbert, Morgan, Wilson, Tighe, Williams, Bull, Power, Gateson, Reeve, Apthorp, Brown, Duggan, Jenkins, Harper, Price, Witzer, Gregory.