MAY & BAKER R.U.F.C

Match Report FRIENDLY – 3rd November 07 May and Baker 5 .v. 25 Woodford

May & Baker had a high volume of players this week which allowed first team call ups and late cry offs and still left M & B with 20 players. Due to the importance of next weeks cup game, Captain Andy Yarrow rested some of the more familiar names and opted for a young less experienced side.

Sadly, during the warm up Ricky Hine was injured and was rushed to hospital by ambulance. Our thoughts and best wishes are with him!!!!! HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON MATE!!!!

As the game began both sets of backs were in great competition with each other each trying to get the upper hand. But after twenty minutes it was the Baker’s pack that struck the first blow. Woodford infringed at the M & B line out which gave May & Baker a penalty. Captain Andy Yarrow reacted quickest and took a quick tap penalty to bulldoze over from 5 meters out. The number 8 scored this for the forwards who have worked hard in recent weeks to earn ball for the backs to show their talent and it was nice to have a forward get on the score sheet!

It was expected that a younger less experienced side would struggle at set plays and before half time it had cost M & B two unconverted scores as experience showed. The first from a driving maul and the second from a scrum.

It was a mixed half for May & Baker around the pitch young boys were doing well but lost old to wiser heads at set plays. This continued into the second half as youngsters Tommy Capper and Josh Procter made good breaks. But due to poor field position and lazy tackling Woodford soon found themselves scoring again.

M & B were rattled and good counter running earned Woodford a forth try on the hour mark. May & Baker could have been back in the game when Darren Robinson made a good break to feed prop Harry Lisbon who steamed for the line to be tackled just short.

Robinson was himself next to try and breach the Woodford line this time to be pushed in to touch meters from the line, when Woodford turned over they found themselves kicking deep to avoid Baker’s runs towards the line. This nearly cost them as Josh Procter counter attacked and made a great offload to Andy Yarrow who did not have the legs to run in from 40 yards.

After soaking up some good pressure Woodford went on the attack. As they broke through it took two late ditch tackles one from Tommy Capper & the other from Harry Lisbon to halt Woodford. After quick recycled ball Ross Williams & Chris Young were forced into a try saving tackle. However, quickly recycled ball gave Woodford their 5th and final try just before full time.

This loss rattled May & Baker who were hoping to build up a head of steam heading into their cup match next week. A big thank to all supporters, as bad weather begins to come in I hope we still see you!! We could do with you as next week we face a tough cup tie against Witham Away. Hope to see lots of you there making some noise for the boys!!!

MAN OF THE MATCH: Darren Robinson

SQUAD: Harry Lisbon, Colon Comben, Shaun Knight, Keith Friend, Tommy Capper, Danny Green, Steve Capper, Andy Yarrow, Martin Lee, Darren Robinson, Josh Procter, Chris Young, Ross Williams, Steve Pollard, Paul Day, Mickey Engwell, Ricky Hine, and Dick Williams

Match Report Away to Chelmsford (Merit Table) 23rd September Lost 22 .v. 14

Last Saturday a tasty, youthful looking May and Baker travelled to Chelmsford looking for their first win of the campaign. Despite May and Baker having some impact players missing, the youth proved to be working well.

The game started tragically for May and Baker, from the kick off winger Alan Wilkins chased the ball and landed in a painful position and as a result he has suffered a broken wrist which should keep him sidelined for at least 6 weeks. This accident seemed to fire up the Bakers side that launched an attack on the Chelmsford 22. After camping at the line for twenty minutes Danny Green knocked on. But from the resulting scrum the Bakers pack drove Chelmsford off their own ball. Two phases after the scrum Ben Seth could have scored in the corner; sadly, he stepped inside and was caught.

Against the run of play Chelmsford capitalised on a loose ball to score the first try after 35 minutes, the try was converted. Just before the break May and Baker were awarded a penalty, after a discussion captain Jamie Yates decided his kicker would go for goal. Ben Seth failed with his kick.

May and Baker started the second half sleeping as Chelmsford scored two quick tries through quickly taken tap penalties and some missed tackles. Luckily, they failed to convert both tries.

After some strong words behind the posts, the team come back looking pumped up. From the restart May and Baker secured possession and after numerous pick up and drive moves from the Bakers forwards, the young backs were released. They showed good hands and forced the Chelmsford side into conceding a five meter scrum. From the scrum Bakers number 8 Andy Yarrow picked the ball up at the back and drove over the line for a well earned team try. Jamie Yates converted.

From the restart Apples caught and drove forward. He was finally stopped at the Chelmsford 22. from the ruck the youthful backs got their hands on the ball and after showing magnificent quick passing moves centre Chris Young was held up on the line but he managed to release a pop pass to hooker Burak Erecci (we cal him Burt its much easier), this was his first try for the club. What was disappointing was he did a runner after the game and he forgot to get the team a jug! Jamie Yates converted again.

Chelmsford looked tires and were on the back foot for the last 10 minutes. Bakers could have easily one the game but Chelmsford managed to intercept a pass to score the games final try.

May and Baker did not perform well again. We showed glimpses of the form we need to beat table toppers Basildon on Saturday. But we know that we need a win to get our season started then we have the potential to show what we are made of. COME ON LADS!

MAN OF THE MATCH: Daniel Biggs

SQUAD: Tony Burn, Burac Erecci, Andrew Robinson, Keith Apples, Dick Williams, Colin Combden, Danny Green, Andy Yarrow, Daniel Biggs, Huw Petherwick, Chris Young, Steve Pollard, Ben Seth, Alan Wilkins, Jamie Yates, Matt Barrett, James Lloyd, Paul Day.