MAY & BAKER R.U.F.C

Match Report MERIT TABLE – 15th September 07 May and Baker 29 .v. 12 Upminster

For the first time in a few years May & Baker were ready for the start of the Merit Table campaign. A strong May & Baker side hosted freshly relegated Upminster. Baker’s knew that this would be no walk in the park as Upminster were hoping to jump straight back into league 4.

This showed as within five minutes lazy work from the M & B pack resulted in quick ball for Upminster to score a converted try beneath the posts. Baker’s did not take this lying down. Captain Garry O’ Sullivan led by example making a fine brake before putting a nice cross field kick in for in-form centre Mickey Engwell to run on to and score, however he failed to convert his own try.

May & Baker were now in top gear and looked nippy all around the pitch. Good work from pack leader Andy Yarrow & Rob Pattern was earning M & B good lineout ball and applying good pressure on the Upminster lineout. From one of these lineout's Andy Yarrow secured good ball which was driven up field before Garry O’ Sullivan made another brake before feeding Symeon Mighty for his first try for the black & reds. (AND AGAIN HE OFFERED TO BUY A JUG!!!) The mobile prop showed good stamina scoring under the posts with a 50 meter run. Engwell this time converting.

Upminster did not take this lying down as they hit back with an unconverted try in the corner. However, Baker’s heads did not drop as they tried to add another score in the last play of the half. After the front row did the hard work, Darren Robinson went close to the line, before quick hands from Colin Combden, Andy Yarrow, Garry O’ Sullivan, and Alan White resulted in a score for returning lock Rob Pattern. Pattern was one of a number of lads who could have finished a good M & B move. Again Engwell converted leaving the score 19 – 12 at the brake.

After a few players taking knocks in the first half, changes were forced. The replacements in no way weakened the team as in the second half they managed to keep an un-breached try line. Martin Riddell switched from centre to the flank and shone threw out the second half, the former Southend player was the first to make his mark in the second half as he broke down the blindside to run in a unconverted score. Alan Johnson was the next to attempt to break the Upminster defence but after two drives he was unfortunately held up just short of the line. But good ball retention resulted in Doug Murray breezing over the Upminster line.

Upminster tussled in the midfield but were unable to score. Good breaks again from O’ Sullivan & Gary Williams came close to further scores but time ran out for a frantic Baker’s side.

This win takes May & Baker joint top of the Merit Table, which is a position we have not been in for a long time. It is great to see all the summers’ new recruits playing well, fitting in, and most importantly scoring tries!!! As always I would like to say a big thanks to the people who came to make some noise for the boys. Recent support has been excellent and we are treating you to some interesting rugby. Next week May & Baker are in Merit Table action again as they take the trip up to potential table toppers Basildon. Due to the England game there will be a 1 p.m. kick off. We hope to see you there!

MAN OF THE MATCH: Martin Roddell

SQUAD: Harry Lisbon, Colon Combden, Symeon Mighty, Alan White, Rob Pattern, Dave O’ Sullivan, Andy Yarrow, Doug Murray, Darren Robinson, Garry O’ Sullivan, Mickey Engwell, Martin Roddell, Ross Williams, Rob Turner, Alan Johnson, Burak Erceri, Gary Williams, Mark Bonfil, Richard Paul, and Darren Sammon.

Match Report FRIENDLY – 20th January 07 Southend 29 .v. 19 May & Baker

Last Saturday May and Baker took a mixed side to Southend for a friendly. May and Baker had players missing but there was an injection of Irish in the side.

Against the run of play B’s scored first as they outsmarted a large Southend side by using their speed which resulted in a solo try for Irish winger Leyton. Fly half Chris added the extra two. The lead was short lived as Southend Bulldozed with their big forwards to return the favour straight under the posts. They added the extras.

The game remained even at 7 each for a long time as the match turned into a midfield battle. B’s made the odd break but for every breakaway there was a silly penalty was awarded to cancel out the hard work. It was just before half time that May and Baker hit a crucial blow and scored their second try from stand in fly half Chris. He went on a solo run again beating numerous defenders, then he put an excellent chip kick in that he regathered in the in goal area and he scored Baker’s second try. He did well again to convert. At half time Baker’s lead 14 – 7. Good first half displays from Dickie Williams and the Bakers back line in defence, kept the lads in the game. Man of the match Paul Day also made some superb solo runs from full back to put B’s on the front foot.

Jamie Yates rung the changes at half time, as it was a friendly it was a chance to see what potential he had, to try to avoid the drop in the league. Straight after the interval Southend hit back with an unconverted try they mauled from a line out move, and the ball looked like it was held up by Rob Pattern, but after a long look the referee gave a try. This really got the Boys fired up. May and Baker used the ruck as a platform to launch players threw on the crash, Martin Lee, Doug Murray, Andy Yarrow, Danny Brown, and Burak Erceri made impressive marks breaking the game line. Then May and Baker scored again. This try was a bit different though, it was something meaningful, the familiarity was the major asset in this try. It was the opportunity to show all what May and Baker could offer and haven’t this year. With a scrum 12 yards out Doug Murray picked up at number 8, and presented a gentle pop pass to Martin Lee who showed great hands in the tackle to release in-form flanker Andy Yarrow who dived to score in the corner.

Southend were staring down the barrel of a defeat, but shortly after another driving maul from the seasiders resulted in another converted try. A silly Andy Yarrow questioned the decision and was rightly shown a yellow card. While Baker’s were down to 14 men Southend wrapped the game up they use their advantage in the pack and at line outs to score two unanswered, unconverted tries, that killed B’s spirit. The game ended 29 – 19 to a very lucky Southend side.

As always I would like to say a big thanks to the people who came all the way from Baker’s and supported the side even in this weather. But even if the ref was a little more even we did not play a smart game. May and Baker wanted to take Southend on up front, when our backs had the speed and agility to run rings round the Southend backs.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Paul Day

SQUAD: James Henderson, Colin Combden, Dick Williams, Rob Pattern, Danny Brown, Steve Cappa, Andy Yarrow, Doug Murray, Martin Lee, Chris (one of the Irish don’t know your last name sorry), Steve Pollard, Chris Young, James Lloyd, Leyton (one of the Irish don’t know your last name sorry), Paul Day, Jamie Yates, Andrew Schmitt, and Burak Erceri