MAY & BAKER R.U.F.C

Match Report Home to Rayleigh Win 22-10

Last Saturday May and Baker began their season with a successful trial against Rayleigh. The game was split into four quarters of twenty minutes instead of the regular two halves of forty minutes; this was so the club could take a look at all the players for the upcoming season. Twenty-eight lads showed up and when playing they all contributed well in the clubs four tries. The first of the four tries came shortly into the first quarter with a good finish from winger Richard Paul. Two tries in the second quarter were added from new club captain Dave Maudsley and second team captain Jamie Yates, these were impressive as they were worked from set moves that have been practiced by the squad throughout the summer break. The performance was rounded off with a break away try from Lee Dyer who scored with a good solo run from the twenty-two metre line. Unfortunately, a strong wind meant Liam Power could only convert one of the four tries. Congratulations must be made to Garry Williams who made a successful return after a year out with a shoulder injury. Although there is still points of May and Baker’s game that need perfecting this was an excellent team performance and it would be excellent to see all of the lads training this Tuesday evening before the competitive matches begin. Our thanks must go to Rayleigh as they proved to be excellent opposition; credit must go to them as they had just fifteen players who showed excellent fitness to complete the full eighty minutes after a summer of boozing.

This Saturday our first XV are at home to Ongar in a friendly, whilst our second team kick off their Merit Table campaign with a tough trip to a strong Braintree side. We welcome your support.

May and Baker’s are still looking for players of a social standard. Should anyone be interested in playing please contact one of our captains, either Dave Maudsley : 07904859402 or Jamie Yates : 07886761587. We are sure we can make you welcome.

SQUAD AGAINST RAYLEIGH: Alan Johnson, Lee Hearing, Jim Henderson, Rob Willingham, Burak Erceri, Dave O’ Sullivan, Rob Patten, Steve Cappa, Andy Yarrow, Doug Murray, Paul Henkel, Martin Lee, Liam Power, Ben Playford, Lee Dyer, Jamie Yates, Dave Maudsley, James Lock, Huw Protheroe, Mickey Engwell, Richard Paul, Ben Seth, Steve Nathan, Ryan Bone, Mike Wittingham, James Lloyd, Paul Day, and Garry Williams.

Match Report Home to Shooters Hill (Friendly) 28th October 06 Won 19 v 5

Spirits were high on Saturday as May and Baker welcomed Tony Bullet back from Spain for a game. After a good socialising night on the Friday Bakers managed to bond and look ready for Shooters Hill. Knowing that local rivals Dagenham is next up Bakers had a big squad for the game.

As the game began Bakers showed their true potential. After securing possession from strong line out play from Andy Yarrow and Ricky Hine, and good work at the break downs from an impressive, mobile, back row, Bakers used a mix of forwards strength, tactical kicking, and good hands in the backs to release winger Ben Seth. Seth made good ground as he did all game, before a covering tackle put him into touch inside Shooters twenty-two. Andy Yarrow was dominating Line outs all day and again stole Shooters ball to release the Bakers backs. Unfortunately, Bakers knocked on and Shooters Hill cleared their lines. Within minutes May and Baker were launching another attack. Andy Yarrow won a line out on the Bakers twenty-two and released the backs who used a tidy set move to release in form winger Ben Seth, this time Seth guaranteed that he was not caught as he dived to put Bakers in front, with an unconverted try! He failed to keep club tradition by buying a jug as it was his first try for the club. The joy on Bakers faces was amazing. Bakers were now in no mood to mess around now and they launched countless attacks on the Shooters Hill twenty-two. Sadly the finish was not there. Just before half time May and Baker doubled their advantage. As Shooters Hill cleared their lines, Bakers captain and full back Jamie Yates counter attacked with a superb solo run to touch down for Bakers second. The conversion followed.

As it was a friendly May and Baker made numerous changes at half time. Some of the stronger players were rested for the Visit of Dagenham next Saturday. Shooters Hill started brightly and after 10 minutes of play in the midfield, Shooters released their young winger who showed good feet o avoid tackles and score an unconverted try. After the try May and Baker made more changes. These changes paid off straight away as Matt Barrett took the restart, with pin point accuracy Andy Yarrow gathered his kick off and passed to Keith Apples who drove towards the line, before releasing the backs who found Burak Erceri crashing over from five yards. This time Barrett converted. As the lads were dominating the referee seemed to become a lot harsher towards Bakers. Martin Parker worked well with Doug Murray who gave a man of the match performance, and went over the line but had it disallowed. Shortly after tries from Huw Protheroe, Mickey Ingwell, and the returning hero Tony Bullet were all controversially disallowed. All four had a case for being a try. Credit to Shooters Hill who fought to the end and to Bullet for managing to finish 80 minutes, shame it was only a one off! We look forward to your next visit!

May and Baker finally showed what they are capable of. This Saturday May and Baker are back on league duty as they entertain local rivals Dagenham in a fierce encounter. I’m sure the lads will give 200% to beat Dagenham. This could be the turning point in Bakers season. We would like to see the effort in the league so we can beat Dagenham this weekend!!! A big thanks to the big crowd who supported the boys this week, as you can tell your support was a massive help, so if you can make some noise for the boys next Saturday as we gain the points against Dagenham please. Also Good Luck Bullet see you soon, and thank you!

MAN OF THE MATCH: Doug Murray

SQUAD: Dick Williams, Colin Combden, Burak Erceri, Keith Apples, Ricky Hine, Danny Green, Andy Yarrow, Doug Murray, Martin Lee, Matt Barrett, Huw Protheroe, Chris Young, Ben Seth, James Lloyd, Jamie Yates, Tony Bullet, Andrew Schmitt, Martin Parker, Mickey Ingwell, Darren Noakes, and Paul Day.