SWF RFC U15s v Clacton RFC U15s

Sunday 11th October 2015 was the first competitive fixture for the 2015 to 2016 season for South Woodham Ferrers RFC Under 15s team. The team had been training hard in recent weeks and were eager to score some early points.

The first half of the match saw a flurry of tries and conversions. The first to score was Aaron Taylor after 3 minutes with a strong drive by the forwards pack allowing him to touch the ball down just over the opposition try line. This try to was converted by Ben Plank. The second try was an impressive and aggressive run from Martin Bowers powering through the Clacton backs to score after 5 minutes. The next try was from the South Woodham Ferrers number 8, Ethan Burrell at 12 minutes in to the match. After the forwards dominated the Clacton pack Ethan Burrell was able to break through and score.

Jack Boland had an impressive game using his size and skill to drive through Clacton players during the open play.

The South Woodham Ferrers forwards continued to dominate Clacton and try number 4 was scored by Josh Maxfield after a ruck formed a few meters away from the Clacton try line. Angela Kyriacou, who usually plays as hooker, was playing as inside centre and took full advantage of his speed and strength when breaking through the Clacton backs and running in a try from some 40 metres at 22 minutes in to the game. Ben Plank converted this try. Nathan Whittle, playing at his usual scrum half position, was able to use his speed picked the ball up from the back of a scrum to nip over the try line and score at 26 minutes. Owen Pamphilon channelled his aggression during the intense forward battles to drive Clacton off the ball at rucks and secure possession for South Woodham Ferrers.

Ryan Galvin proved to be a force to be reckoned with on the pitch. He was unlucky not to have scored when running along the touchline and getting within metres of Clacton's try line. His usual blend of disruptive play was essential in wining balls at the break down and turning over possession of the ball from Clacton to South Woodham Ferrers.

As half time was approaching South Woodham Ferrers were in control of the match and Angela Kyriacou ran in another try from his position in the backs at 28 minutes. Ben Plank converted this try. George Murtha, playing at flanker, ran in another try from a ruck at the stroke of half time. This try was converted by Ben Plank.

Due to injuries Clacton were reduced to 14 men in the second half, and South Woodham Ferrers decided in the spirit of fairness to also play with 14 players. Within 2 minutes of the game starting again George Phelps-Knights scored his first try of the season. George, who plays at prop, took the ball as a strike runner from a maul to blast through the Clacton defence to score a try. This try was converted by Ben Plank. Ethan Burrell scored the next try with a set piece move picking up the ball from the back of the scrum from the 5m mark and knocking through several defenders. Daniel Crees playing on the wing made a number of crunching tackles (as usual) to stop Clacton getting close to our try line.

Cullan Frost playing at flanker made some vital tackles to stop several Clacton attacks. During the match he received an elbow to the face forcing him to leave the pitch.

Angela Kyriacou scored the next try at 47 minutes with another well worked move from the backs allowing Angelo to run in his third try securing him a hatrick for the day. Arda Gyunesh used both his speed and strength to secure the next try after he broke with the ball in open play. This was converted by Ben Plank. The finall try was scored by Ethan Burrell at 53 minutes from another set piece. This try was converted by Ben Plank. Ollie Barbrooke playing on the wing provided excellent tackling cover.

Although Joe August did not score he had a great game as second row often popping up in the backs line during attacking movements, or by making necessary tackles to stop Clacton. Jimmy Anderson had a commanding performance at fullback showing confidence in dealing with any attacking Clacton players or high balls delivered towards him.

After 53 minutes Clacton RFC conceded the match. The score was officially recorded as 50 - Nil with South Woodham Ferrers victorious.