MAY & BAKER R.U.F.C

Match Report Away to Pegasus Palmerians 16th September 2006

Win 31-20

May and Bakers made an encouraging start to their league campaign on Saturday with a well earned victory over newcomers Pegasus, 31-20.

In glorious conditions, May and Bakers made a strong start with their pack immediately bullying the Pegasus pack, and their backs moving the ball around confidently. They scored early on, when some quick movement from the backs was finished off by Mike Whittington. However, some sloppy play by Bakers allowed Pegasus to come back immediately to take a 7-5 lead.

This was the story of the first half, as every time Bakers scored and looked to take control of the game, they gave away a silly penalty or try. Pegasus led going into halftime, despite a well taken try by Ben Playford which had once again given Bakers the lead temporarily.

However, Bakers did not panic and gradually began to take control in the second half. Tries from James Locke, Dean Foran and Lee Dyer sealed the victory. Special mention should go to Locke and Dyer who once again had strong games.

Match Report 10th February 07 DEVELOPMENT GAME– 13th January 07

Ilford Wanderers 29 .v. 10 May and Baker

This Season, when the first XV and the second XV both have not got a game, the match slot will be filled with development games. These games are a mixture of a few old heads and the clubs young guns. The idea behind the game is to see how the youth is progressing and how close they are to playing first team rugby, as they are sure to be the future of the club.

Last Saturday was the second May and Baker Development game it was against Ilford Wanderers. The Wanderers were a strong side well positioned in a couple of leagues above May and Baker, so the boys new they had to fight all day for a result.

With hardly any first team players making the effort to put their boots on it was left to a mostly second team to field a team, Baker’s still managed 19 players. The match was a game of two halves. The first half belonged to Ilford, Ilford showed their ability in opening a twenty-nine point lead over Baker’s. The team seemed a bit lost in the first half, the only thing good out the first half was a few quick breaks from Colin Combden, Andy Yarrow, and Danny Brown. Matt Barrett was restarting with pin point accuracy but sadly Combden was the only man reaching the high ball! (More effort needed from our young legs to make the chase, me included!)

Ilford took a 29 point lead into the second half. Baker’s Irish lads made an immediate impact in the second half; Mark Bonner made a few half breaks. The lads began to take control Andy Yarrow And Dean Foran were poaching any loose balls on the floor and around the breakdowns. The young guns began to show glimpses of excellence. In defence, Chris Young hit 3 big tackles in succession to earn a turn over that Jamie Yates kicked into the twenty-two, Yates and Yarrow both chased but unfortunately the hack on by Yates took the ball over the dead ball line. The two men competing for man of the match this week combined well at a line out as Burak Erceri threw to Andy Yarrow to release the back who made good ground threw the 2 Chris’s in the centres, ball was recycled quickly and Jamie Yates fed Rob Pattern who bundled over the line to the delight of the B’s. Yates failed to convert.

Spirit was high, as Baker’s had not crossed the try line for a long time. Now they had broken the duck the lads were flowing and Wanderers were looking for the full time whistle. But a good solo effort from Dean Foran added to the May and Baker score. Foran managed to side step former Baker boy Tony Burn on the way threw.

This was a game of two halves Ilford Wanderers dominated in the first half, but Baker’s youngsters should be proud of the heart and pride they showed to win the second half. Next week, both Baker’s sides are back in friendly action next week, so it would be good to see you there playing or supporting. As always thanks to the support this week from a good size Baker’s crowd. Let’s see two wins next week!

MAN OF THE MATCH: Burak Erceri

SQUAD: James Henderson, Burak Erceri, Harry Lisborn, Ricky Hine, Danny Brown, Colin Combden, Andy Yarrow, Rob Pattern, Dean Foran, Matt Barrett, Chris Young, Paul (Irish lad, don’t know your last name sorry), James Llyod, Ben Seth, Huw Protheroe, Jamie Yates, Mark Bonner, Patrick (Irish lad, don’t know your last name sorry), Chris (Irish lad, don’t know your last name sorry)