MAY & BAKER R.U.F.C

Match Report Away to SWF (Merit Table) 18th November Lost 72 v 12

Last Saturday May and Baker took their longest journey to Burnham On Crouch still looking for their first win of the campaign. May and Baker were let down drastically with twelve cry offs and 1 no show. Credit must go to what we believe to be a record breaking front row that had a total age of 174.

The game started as it meant to go on for May and Baker, poor tackling led to Burnham scoring in the first two minutes. The scoring was constant, as was the poor tackling. Some May and Bakers players were confident that Burnham had some ringers, and both sides were appalled by the standard of refereeing, but there’s no point making excuses!!!

Paul Day came close for May and Baker in the first half when he caught a loose Burnham pass, but he tripped which led to a Burnham turn over and another try.

May and Baker started the second half better than expected, when a penalty was kicked into touch Andy Yarrow secured line out ball which quickly turned into a May and Baker penalty. Jamie Yates tapped and put a little pop pass to number 8 for the day Martin Lee who squeezed threw a tight gap to go over the line. Ben Seth managed to convert.

Burnham then took control again scoring countless tries. Tempers were high and Lee Fisher and Martin Lee managed to fire up the Bakers lads, after a fist fight with a couple of the Burnham lads, the disagreement built but once all had calmed down the ref failed to show a card.

After some verbal to the ref, a Burnham lad go sin binned for the last 10 minutes. May and Baker capitalised on this when Huw Protheroe put a well timed, high kick for the winger to chase and claim, and after quickly rucked ball the other winger James Lloyd scored his second in 2 matches. This time Ben Seth was unable to convert.

Despite a poor performance and missed tackles this week, thanks must be made for the 15 that bothered to turn up! May and Baker did not perform well again. This weekend May and Baker finally play a home game in the 2nd team cup against one of the strongest sides in the competition Canvey Island. Tackles must be made this weekend if we have any chance of getting a result.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Mr. Yates

SQUAD: Dick Williams, Colin Combden, Roy Yates, Andy Yarrow, Ricky (unknown last name), Jamie Yates, Steve Pollard, Martin Lee, Lee Fisher, Daniel Biggs, Huw Protheroe, Chris Young, Ben Seth, James Lloyd, Paul Day.

May & Baker A XV FRIENDLY – 8th September 07 May and Baker 5 .v. 56 Romford & Gidea Park

Last Saturday May and Baker’s second string got their campaign started with a warm up friendly against Romford & Gidea Park. Due to numerous players missing due to holidays, injuries, and weddings the club come together to find to sides for the weekend.

Sadly, the second team were hit quite badly with first team call ups, but the 18 remaining players held their heads high and did the club proud! A few new recruits proved that they will be pushing for a place in the team.

Romford broke the deadlock on opening day, when their centre found a gap to crash threw. Despite this, Baker’s hit straight back, from the kick off Colin Combden chassed the ball and combined with Danny Green they earned a good turn over, that quick hands gave new boy Andy Gore scoring from the wing. (And FINALLY someone keeps to the rules and buys a jug!!!) The conversion was missed.

The rest of the first half was a frustrating encounter. The match was evenly matched but Romford managed to add another two scores before the half time whistle. Had it not been for the tackling of Ross Williams and Chris Young the score line could have been worse. Spirit was still high in the M & B camp.

To the disappointment of the team it did not take long before Romford had put another score on the board. B’s tried to make a come back from the back row and scrum half Liam Power, who put Alan White threw on his return & also gifted Gary Lock a run down the wing that he was unable to finish.

As the half wore on fitness showed out as Romford scored numerous tries in the last 10 minutes to make the scoreboard stand out. It did not reflect the Baker’s performance.

The fitness needs to improve as next week the second team welcome back league rugby, as they host a strong Upminster side. As always we welcome everyone! After the game you could tell that more of us lads need to be training, lets get over there and start training together and getting familiar with each other and hopefully our endurance will improve aswell! As always I would like to say a big thanks to the people who came to make some noise for the boys.

After the game we found out acting scrum half Liam Power suffered a broken wrist. We would like to thank Liam for his effort to soldier on and wish him all the best in his recovery!!!

MAN OF THE MATCH: Mickey Engwell

SQUAD: Harry Lisbon, Colon Combden, Tony Byrne, Alan White, Ricky Hine, Danny Green, Andy Yarrow, Gary Lock, Liam Power, Matt Barritt, Garry O’ Sullivan, Mickey Engwell, Ross Williams, Andy Gore, Jamie Yates, Ryan Bone, Chris Young.