Rugby - December 2008
Previous Results and News - November 2008 October 2008
MIRFC VP Lunch dates
| 20th Dec v.s.Braintree | Sponsored by Searchers Associates Ltd |
| 14th Feb v.s. Chelmsford | Sponsored by Marfleet Construction Ltd |
| 14th Mar v.s. Saffron Walden | Sponsored by Evolve Tax & Accountancy LLP |
| 4th Apr v.s. Harlow | Sponsored by db Attenuation |
| Match Ball Sponsor A.M Gray & Co |
London North East Div.3
Saturday 20th December 2008
Mersea Island RFC 15 Braintree RFC 5
In an absorbing North East Essex derby, Mersea Island finally bounced back to winning ways deservedly defeating Braintree 15-5 at the Youth Camp. With this being the last league game before the Christmas break, Mersea entertained a Braintree team who had convincingly beaten Mersea in their previous league encounter by a large margin and with the Islanders not having won a game since the end of October this was going to be an interesting encounter. The late withdrawal of centre Mike Fields and absence of injured skipper Jon Williams, meant a reshuffle in the Mersea three-quarters with Nick Woodlands started at scrum-half and Stratton-Thomsett in the centre.
Both teams started the game cautiously and it was Braintree who struck first with a fine piece of running rugby to put outside centre in for an unconverted try & lead 5 – 0. This seemed to spark the Mersea pack into playing and some good breaks from prop Jay Hatcher and No.8 Brendon Cook pushed Braintree back into their 22. Mersea were awarded a series of penalties, Le Marquand taking the kicks, slotted the 2nd kicks after some intelligent play from winger Drum and the half-time score ended 5- 3 to Braintree.
Unfortunately, injury struck the Mersea team and they were forced into making some changes to the pack with James Sparks and Andrew Sutcliffe having to leave the field and both being replaced by Steve Daniels and Toby Green.
With the wind and the hill to their advantage Mersea could sniff the win and started to believe in themselves. Andy Windridge & Nick Card both had fine games in the back-row alongside No.8 Cook, who showed great strength with the scrums retreating. Stevie Daniels made a big impact in the 2nd row and bossed the lineout well. An excellent kick and chase by full-back Dan Kerr, which he collected and danced his way passed two defenders to go in under the post. Le Marquand converted to give Mersea a deserved lead 10 – 5. Braintree tried to hit back but great defence from the team kept them at bay. The centre partnership of Walters & Stratton-Thomsett was solid throughout the match, and wingers James Parks & Drum Sydenham put in some great defensive tackles.
A turnover from a ruck and fast hands released wing James Park on the wing and with the cover tackles being missed, the flying winger scored a fine debut 1st team try in the corner to give Mersea a 10 point lead (15 – 5) with 15mins to go. The whole Mersea team stepped up and defended doggedly until the final whistle and the side were delighted with the victory. Club Captain Williams was thrilled with the outstanding spirit & commitment displayed by the whole squad and is now positive that this victory will re-ignite Mersea’s season and get them back to winning ways in 2009.
Mersea Island RFC next league match will be on Saturday 10th January away to Rochford RFC
London North-East Div.3
Saturday 6th December 2008
Harlow RFC 30 : Mersea Island RFC 15
In a bottom of the table dogfight, Harlow took full advantage of a sluggish Mersea start, building a strong 19-0 lead which proved too much for the brave Islanders to overcome.
In cold but bright sunshine, a disrupted Mersea squad riddled with injuries and over 12 1st teamers unavailable, took to the field with just one replacement and a number of players carrying injuries. The opening 15 minutes belonged totally to the home side, who ran in three early tries and stole into a 22-0 lead. With the match on the brink of becoming a cricket score, the Island players suddenly began to play some decent rugby. The travelling pack who struggled to gain any platform at both the lineouts & scrums, battled bravely and began putting the home side under some pressure. Flanker Nick Card and lock Jim Sparkes were both outstanding in the loose, turning over vital procession and putting in some crucial tackles. In fact the pack displayed huge amounts of spirit and heart, with the front-row having a tough afternoon of retreating scrums they never gave up and battled for the full 80 minutes. Despite going backwards, No.8 Brendan Cook still managed to make yardage and was well supported by Windridge & Bredin. Mersea deservedly scored a good try, as Le Marquand broke through a few tackles and overloaded to the supporting Windridge to score. Williams converted. Mersea began to play some enterprising rugby, having to run the ball on most occasions due to the struggle in the lineout. Jon Williams kicked a penalty on the stroke of half-time to bring the scores to 10-22.
A good re-start and a blatant Harlow knock-on was missed, and Mersea played the opening period of the 2nd half in their own 22. The match was pretty open, with both sides but especially Mersea keen to move the ball wide. A great passage of play from Mersea, with Bredin and Walters making excellent ground resulted in a try for James Goldring only to be disallowed for a forward pass. Harlow cleared their lines and from the next scrum broke down the blindside and scored a crucial try to extend their lead to 27-10. Mersea still did not roll over and the introduction of prop Jay Hatcher added some extra bite to their attack. The young mobile prop took some excellent ball on and Mersea suddenly had some quick ruck ball to attack from. Having had a try disallowed, Goldring was on the end of a move to score out wide and bring the score to 27-15. Mersea could sniff a possibly come-back and after a series of quick tap penalties, Le Marquand looked to have scored only for the try to be disallowed for being unsighted. Harlow cleared their lines and kicked a late penalty to seal victory 30-15.
Mersea can be proud of their commitment, and if was not for their disastrous start to the match, the contest was even and could easily have swung in favour of the Islanders.
Mersea take a break from league action next Saturday and entertain Woodbridge RFC in the Suffolk Cup at the Youth Camp.
Mersea Man of Match: Brenda Cook
Harwich IIs 10 : Mersea Rhinos 36
Mersea Rhinos produced a superb away performance to convincingly beat Harwich 36-10. Under the guidance of new Team manager/Coach Reg Palmer, the side displayed good structure and some excellent running skills. Former Harwich player Jim Parks scored a great hat-trick, with flying winger Ashley Collins grabbing a brace and scrum-half Alan Morgan scored a good try and claimed Man of the Match accolade. Matt White hit 3 good conversions. The Rhinos play Thurston away in a friendly.