Match Report

EDF ENERGY NATIONAL VASE – 1^st September 07

Harwich & Dovercourt 19 .v. 21 May and Baker

Last Saturday May and Baker kicked off the 2007 – 08 season away in the EDF Energy Vase to Harwich & Dovercourt. As the lads met they were in high spirit, and confident of a good performance after the best pre – season we have had for a number of years! LET’S KEEP THE HIGH NUMBERS UP DURING THE SEASON!

May & Baker arrived at the Eastern Counties league 2 side full of confidence. This showed as within the first five minutes May & Baked had dominated possession resulting in Matt Terret scoring his first 3 points for the club from the boot as a result of a penalty. Harwich did not take this lying down and as Baker’s took their foot of the gas Harwich showed how dangerous they could be and hit back with an unconverted try.

May & Baker forwards did not take this lying down and hit back in the set plays. Bryan Eyles bossed his forwards well. This resulted in another penalty being conceded by the home side. As the forwards were doing so well B’s decided to take the line out. From the line out Dave O’ Sullivan won good ball to set up a maul that resulted in Bryan Eyles first try back in the first team. Sadly, the conversion was missed.

Again Harwich tried to hit back but the May & Baker forwards led by Alan Johnson snuffed out every piece of ball Harwich took to the floor. It was not long before May & Baker had their second try. It was a case of same again for B’s as they won a line out deep in Harwich & Dovercourt’s half. Again Dave O’Sullivan won good ball from the line out and Bryan Eyles bossed his pack so that they drove over the line for Eyles & Baker’s second unconverted try of the game.  This knocked the stuffing out of the home side and Doug Murray completed the first half scoring with another forwards try threw the packs driving maul.

The lads were pleased with the first half performance and hoped this would continue in the second half. However this fitness levels were starting to show after a summer of boozing the lads were beginning to get tired, so shortly into the second half Mark Bonfill was introduced and John Terry was also replaced after an impressive debut by Rob Pattern. Harwich came out refreshed and began to put up a battle threw their backs. Had it not been for some poor handling errors from the North Essex side Baker’s could have found themselves with a real game on their hands within the first 10 minutes of the second half as three scoring opportunities were lost by Harwich. However, it did not take long before Harwich managed to redeem themselves as they scored a good try under the posts. This time it was converted.

The game was beginning to turn in Harwich’s favour as they began to pressure the Baker’s side. Luckily a good break from Rob Twin resulted in a penalty that captain Dave Maudsley slotted over from a good distance to give M & B an extra 3 points. With 15 minutes left Harwich created an overlap that they used to great success as their winger profited with a converted try. This put the score at 19 – 21, and left everyone in for a tense last 10 minutes with both side having scoring opportunities but neither capitalizing. The game was further on edge when Rob Pattern & a Harwich player were sent to the sin bin with 3 minutes to go. This created more space and left everyone on the edge of their seats. Luckily, May & Bakers held on for the win, where they will face Ongar in what I am sure will be another tight clash on 22^nd September. 

As always I would like to say a big thanks to the May and Baker supporters. This was a long journey and you still made the effort to support the lads. Next week May & Baker travel to their rivals last season Pegasus Palmerians for the first round of the Essex Presidents Shield, whilst the second team campaign begins with a home game to Romford & Gidea Park.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Doug Murray

SQUAD: James Henderson, Alan Johnson, Dave O’Sullivan, John Terry, Mike Donoghue, Rob Twin, Doug Murray, Bryan Eyles, Matt Terret, Dave Maudsley, Mike Wittingham, Ben Playford, Huw Protheroe, Richard Paul, Mark Bonfill, Rob Pattern, Steve Nathan, Garry O’Sullivan, and Andy Yarrow.