Sunday, 10th January 2008

Under 13 Report

Upper Clapton 5 Stanford 10

Stanford U13s travelled to Epping to play Upper Clapton, a team who had beaten them soundly in the league before Christmas but this time round it was all Stanford.

The borough side had a number of new players who really showed that they had potential and will strengthen the squad for next season’s league campaign.

The Stanford forwards were in a belligerent mood and battled hard to gain the upper hand against good opposition. The back line straightened up well and direct running broke through the gain line time and time again. Scrum half Jared Gounden was the player of the match as he marshalled his forwards well and fed his talented backs with plenty of quick ball and made some match winning tackles.

Against the run of play it was Upper Clapton who took the lead but this just made the visitors more determined. From A solid scrum 20 metres out from the Clapton line Gounden picked up the ball dummied and cut through the narrowest of gaps to score a superb try.

More pressure from the home team followed and a number of dubious refereeing decisions put Stanford on the back foot but good mauling by Gareth Anstee, Sean Sealey and Adam Ward saw flanker, Nicholas Sharp break through and make a 40 metre run to score and put Stanford ahead. The score remained the same for the rest of the game but it was Stanford who looked the more dangerous. Full back Mark O’Connell enjoyed his return to the back line and successfully dealt with a number of high balls and returned them with interest.

Final score Upper Clapton 5 Stanford 10.

All in all it was a much-improved performance and an enjoyable day for both players and spectators.

Under 14 Report

Stanford 38 Burnham 14

After a one point defeat early in the season, this was always going to be a hard fought contest.
Stanford showed their intentions right from the kick off, putting the Burnham forwards under pressure and giving them no room to break out. It was not long before a sustained Stanford attack resulted in Jamie Lake breaking through to score in the corner. This was followed shortly after by Mark Sullivan’s solo run from just inside the Burnham half to score Stanford’s second try. Mark then duly converted.
Burnham did not give up the fight and replied late in the first half with a converted try. This only galvanised the Stanford team in to stepping up their attack, resulting in Daniel Harris powering his way through several Burnham forwards to score a superb try. Mark again obliged by converting leaving a half time score of 19-7.
The second half saw more of the same fight and determination from the whole Stanford team. Aggressive rucking and mauling from the forwards was ably supported by quick passing and fierce tackling from the backs to deny a still fighting Burnham attack.
Three tries in the second half, two more from Mark Sullivan and a persistent drive and score from Nathan Hickey sealed Burnham’s fate, though the visitors did add one converted try in the dying minutes.
The whole team played extremely well and praise must also go to the Burnham team who made this an enjoyable game to watch for all the supporters.
Finally, an outstanding exhibition in long distance kicking from Mark Sullivan topped off the best game of the season for the Stanford Under 14’s. Final score Stanford 38-Burnham 14. Well Done.