MAY & BAKER R.U.F.C

Away to Witham 16th September 2006 Win 12-7

May & Baker continued their good start to the season with a hard-fought win away to Witham in the Powergen Vase Cup.

Bakers created their first opportunity within the first five minutes.

Having kicked to Witham to start the game they immediately pressured Witham into giving up the ball. They kept the pressure on with several quick rucks before spreading the ball wide and sending winger Rich Paul in the corner.

Though they hoped this early try was a sign of things to come Bakers were not surprised to find Witham fighting back. Despite being a league below Bakers, Witham proved to be a highly talented side and the game was fairly evenly matched. Both teams enjoyed an equal amount of possession but if anything Bakers were given more than their fair-share of territory. However, Witham, cheered on by a large home support, refused to let Bakers finish several promising moves and the score remained 5 - 0 at half-time.

May & Baker changed their style of play in the second half. Within minutes of the re-start Lee Dyer kicked almost half the pitch forcing a Witham line-out in their own 22. The Bakers forwards lifted Rob Patten far higher than the Witham forwards and after stealing the ball they drove on towards the line. After a superb rolling maul the ball was grounded over the try-line and Dave Scawthorn emerged from the bottom of the pile. Dyer added the conversion.

Only 12 - 0 up with almost the whole of the second-half to play the

Visitors knew they faced a tough task to hold on. Witham continued to attack their opponents through their big number eight and their centres but found it almost impossible to break through thanks to fantastic tackling by the Bakers number eight Doug Murray and the whole of the Bakers' backline.

Deep into the second-half Witham made the most of an opportunist break and after several passages of play scored under the posts, followed shortly by the conversion. Bakers upped their defence another notch and even more impressive tackling saw them hold on for the final ten minutes.

Bakers were not disappointed to be given such a tough run by lower league opposition. If anything they were respectful of a strong display by the Witham players and grateful for the opportunity to prove themselves in a hard game before visiting Pegasus Palmerians in their first league game next week.

FRIENDLY– 1st December 07 Sevenoaks 21 .v. 14 May & Baker

Despite Witham crying off the re-arranged cup game, May & Baker still found 15 players loyal enough to make the trip to Kent to face Sevenoaks. With a weakened side with many regulars missing May & Baker failed to build on the good win they had the week previous. Maybe this is down to consistency?

In typical May & Baker fashion the visitors did not wake up until they found themselves two tries down. Taking nothing away from Sevenoaks but it was a fact that it was not Sevenoaks playing well but M & B playing poorly that gave Sevenoaks a 12 – 0 lead within the opening 15 minutes.

This trend continued as May & Baker seemed to not be in the game and silly penalties cost Bakers and left the half time whistle sounding with a score of 18 – 0 to the Kent side.

Stand in Captain Andy Yarrow had a few harsh words to say at half time and it seemed to do the trick. Despite it being the same 15 players that started the fixture they were playing like a completely different 15 men. May & Baker were applying the pressure as good work from 2nd row Keith Friend gave M & B a platform to work on. Andy Gore was the next to try to break through the Sevenoaks defence. As Bakers got in good a good position the Kent side were up far too quick and Huw Protheroe put a delicately waited chip kick over the rushing defenders that Mickey Engwell nearly capitalised on but was bundled into touch just short of the line. Josh Procter was the next to try the to crash his way through but was again stopped just short.

Sevenoaks tried to fight their way back into the game and when Rob Patten was yellow carded Sevenoaks slotted another penalty to give themselves a 21 point lead. Ironically, with M & B down to 14 men they began to play even better rugby. Sevenoaks had a lot more possession due to the extra man but when the home side came towards May & Baker through their big forwards Huw Protheroe put a devastating tackle in and turned the ball over and with one big miss pass allowed Gary Williams to run in untouched from 80 yards for the try of the game. Engwell added the extras and M & B went on the prowl again. This time bruising work from the forwards allowed Captain Andy Yarrow to power his way over from short range to put the scores at 21-14 after Engwell’s 2nd conversion.

Despite M & B pushing for that third try it was not coming and Sevenoaks won a game of two halves. A bad day at the office for a side put together late in the week. The big thing missing is familiarity. But a thank you for all 15 players that made the effort to travel with us. I hope you enjoyed the game!

This was a frustrating loss for May & Baker who seem to play different rugby every week. One week there is league winning potential and the following week we look like we need a lot of work. These errors need to be ironed out at training in preparation for the visit of Writtle Wanderers next week A big thank to all our loyal supporters who made noise for the Baker boys even in Kent!!!

SQUAD: Harry Lisbon, Andy Yarrow, Dick Williams, Keith Friend, Rob Patten, Andy Gore, Paul May, Danny Brown, Pat White, Huw Protheroe, Josh Procter, Mickey Engwell, Paul Day, Gary Williams, and Lee Kneller.