The 34 - 27 scoreline in favour of Oxford just shows how close the County Senior side came to qualifying through to the next round of the County Championship Shield competition.  Essex turned up to face an Oxfordshire side with 10 Chinnor (Level 5) players in their side.  Perhaps overawed by the excellent facilities of the club and the size of their opponents, Essex went 8 - 0 down inside the first seven minutes to a penalty (2 minutes) and an uncoverted try.    With the game being played in the Essex half, the next score to Oxfordshire came on the stroke of 16 minutes with another try to Oxfordshire to take the score to 13 - 0.

As in the match against Leicestershire two weeks previously, Essex then began to find their way in the game and settle down to start the chase.  On 28 minutes, fly half Brad Burr (Brentwood) placed an accurate kick deep into the Oxfordshire 22 and from the resulting line out the Essex pack mauled and rucked the ball over the line for Dave Stevens (Thurrock) to touch down for the first Essex try to take the score to 13 - 5.  With the Essex backs getting into their stride and the pack feeling far more confident,  Essex and Oxfordshire swapped territory for the remainder of the first half with both teams producing some excellent work both in attack and defence.  By half time there was no further score and the game looked as though it would go either way for both teams.

Essex started the second half by keeping Oxfordshire pinned into their own half.  The pressure on the Oxfordshire line was sustained and following a 5 meter line out, the Essex pack stood firm, and with the pack slipping the ball to Joe Green (Basildon),  gave Joe the opportunity to crash over the line from 3 yards out for the County's second try five minutes into the second half.  At 13 - 10 an Essex fight back looked on the cards but Oxford's Sam Stoop (Chinnor) picked up a loose ball from the restart and sped over unopposed to open up the gap with a converted try making the score 20 - 10.  Essex took the knock on the chin and carried the game back to Oxfordshire.  With Brad Burr gaining more control at half back behind the Essex pack,  the backs, who had always threatened,  finally managed to get the ball out to Emile Solomons ( Brentwood) whose pace took him to the corner flag for a third try to Essex, converted by Brad Burr.  With the score now at 20 - 17 the match looked evenly balanced and a penalty to Essex on the stroke of 26 minutes into the second half saw Brad Burr level the scores at 20 - 20.

With 10 minutes left on the clock it was Oxfordshire who siezed the intiative with a try scored out wide on their right wing.  Having tied up the Essex defence in the centre of the pitch, Oxfordshire created the space on the right wing for Sam Black (Chinnor) to win the race for the line to give the lead back to Oxfordshire with a converted try to take the score to 27 -20.  Two minutes later Sam Stoop increased the Oxfordshire lead to with his second try converted by James Cathcart to give Oxfordshire a lead of 34 points to 20.  Though the score would have knocked the stuffing out of many sides Essex played out the match in the Oxfordshire half and not to be outdone, a fine backs move saw Brentwood's Adam Thomas have the last say of the match with a try under the posts converted by his club mate Brad Burr to make the final score 34 - 27.

Head coach Gary Smith summed up the match by praising the team and added,  "We had to make a few changes at the last minute for this game which we knew we just had to win to stand a chance of going further on in the competition.  We have the making of a good team here and I hope that the experience of these three matches will perhaps help to keep this group of players together for next season.  I am grateful for the clubs releasing their palyers for the County and I feel sure that with this cooperation next seaon we can do better.  We appreciated that clubs at this level have a tough season ahead of them, but in the breaks it would be helpful to perhaps get the lads together earlier in the seaon so that we can hit the Championship matches running."

 

 

Loosing 43 - 19 to Leicestershire was not the best way or the County to start its County Championship Shield campaign, so its an uphill struggle from here onwards.  With Oxfordhsire beating East Midlands our next opponents we are certainly  need to up our game.  Heavier and a much taller second row faced the team as they took to the field in bright sunlight at Market Harbourers superb facilities and grounds.  A lively start by Leicstershire saw two tries in quick succession inside the fist ten minutes as the home side settled down into their rytham a lot quicker that Essex.  Two further tries by Leicester put us further behind and chasing the game.

Towards the end of the firt half Essex started to get their game togehter and a fightback appeared possible.  some excellent rucking adn msuling got the county into the Leicester 22 and close to the line.  More determined rucking eventually saw Nick Cooper-Hicks dive over the ruck for the County's first try converted by Darryel Worster. Essex then saw out the fremaining 10 minutes of the first half with some excellent work which took the game back to the oppostion.  The half time score was 24 - 7.

The promising last ten minutes of the first half continued into the begining of the second half during which Emile Soloman,  on the left wing received a clean ball to streak ahead of the opposition to score a second try for Essex.   However, ais ten minute spell, Leicester opened up their gam eand replied with three more tries without reply.  The last word theough came from Essex with a final try in the last minutes of the game leaving the score at 43 - 19.  Head Coach was quite upbeat about the teams first performance considerig that the team had not had time for a warm up match.  " The next match against East Midlands will be crucial.  We are on home soil at Barking, and the lads will want to prove themselves.  The shield is not lost yet and I expect that without any playing distractions during the week the team will be fully fit for next weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southend win Essex Couty RFU Shepherd Neame Senior Cup 43 - 23 against Westcliff

This years Essex RFU Senior Cup Final was between neighbouring clubs, Southend and Westcliff.  It provided an entertaining game for the three hundred plus crowd. Westcliff started off the stronger at Warners Park competing vigorously for every ball and soon had Southend on the back foot. So determined were they that Southend conceded two penalties in the first six minutes. Westcliff fly half, Ben McKeith, missed the first one but was successful with the second 0 - 3. Southend responded by getting and keeping possession moving the play into the Westcliff half. Refusing to take a penalty kicks they opted for a scrums and rolled forward. Just when it looked as though they might put a score of their own on the board a misplaced long pass was intercepted by Westcliff’s winger Paul Radley who ran seventy meters unopposed to touch down under the posts. McKeith converted and they were 10 points in front.

The touch paper was lit as far as Southend were concerned and they renewed their efforts, some quick handling by the backs eventually saw Southend stand off Perry Sanson dart over the line for their first points of the night. He converted his try and Southend were back in the game at 7 - 10. Westcliff had other ideas. They rucked and mauled their way into Southends half forcing yet another penalty. A difficult kick was made easier by continued back chat, the referee marched forward first ten meters then another ten. McKeith converted what was by then an easy kick 7 - 13. Southend renewed their efforts and soon had Westcliff on the back foot again. Continued spoiling tactics by one of their props was finally punished with a yellow card. Southend centre Chris Vaughan took advantage when he gathered the ball and ran in a very good try. Converted by Sanson it took Southend in to the lead for the first time 14 - 13.

When centre Sonny Gay scored another try shortly after it looked as though they were about to run away with it at 19 - 13 but Westcliff would not lie down. Another penalty, moved forward again for back chat, saw them elect for a scrum. Just five meters out back row Tom Pacey picked up, peeled round the back of the scrum and went over. McKeith converted and they went into half time one point in front. 19 - 20. The second half began with yet another Westcliff penalty taking them further in front at 19 - 23. The Westcliff supporters were beginning to think this was going to be their day but it was not to be. Southend consolidated, changed some things around and began to dominate. Four unanswered try’s in the next thirty minutes proved too much to handle. First Chris Vaughan scored his second of the night, then Todd Bailey, then Danny Cleare and finally skipper Chris Green. With only one converted the night finished with a reasonably comfortable Southend win, 41 - 23.

At least the Westcliff players and supporters went home pleased with their nights performance whilst Southend went home with the Cup.

Sorry that this site has not been updated recently.  Will try and get more news on it during the week.

Essex County RFU U20 17 - 15  Hertfordshire U20's

Muddy conditions, Rain before the kick off but the boys still did well against a heavier pack and on a very sticky ground.

Next round is against Sussex at Pul;borough next weekend.

 

The County is pleased to announce that the following players in our U16 Group have been selected to take part in the London and South East Development Squad.

We send them our best wishes in the hope that they are eventually selected for London Division in the Divisional Festivals in January 2010 from which the England U16 Group Development squad will be selected.  A big thank you also to all the management and coaching team as well as the Parents for their dedication in helping to get these players through this highly competative stage of the selection pathway.

Our commiserations to those players who did not get through, but this season, especialy in all the U16 inter county graded matches, I have been impressed with the standard of play displyed by everyone - Well done adn we look forward to seeing you at the next level - U17 and U18.

Players going through to the next stages:

Calvert	Alex	South Woodham Ferrers	Westcliff
Clarke	Thomas	Barking	Oaks Park High
Crumpton	Max	Westcliff	King John
Gannon	Tom	Bishops Stortford	Westcliff
Hutcherson	Alfie	Brentwood	Billericay
O'Toole	Conor	Barking	All Saints

Well done to all the 16group players, staff and parents on Sunday for the performance and support in the 10-10 draw with Hampshire. It was an excellent match depite the very trying conditions in the first half.  The success of the Essex U16 squad this season has been confirmed by the number of boys that have received invitations to participate in the London division trial this Sunday 6th December 2009.   Further information can be found by going to www.london-and-southeast-rugby.org.uk

Congratulations go to the following boys who have been selected to start in one of the four trial teams: - 

Femi Akinboboye
James Ayrton
Harry Branch
Alex Calvert
Tom Clarke
Max Crumpton
Tom Gannon
Alfie Hutcherson
Conor O’Toole 

With a total of 9 boys in the starting line ups, Essex come second only to Surrey (who had 12) in the number of representatives. 

In addition, congratulations are also due to the following who have been invited to join the reserves/replacements for Sunday’s trial: - 
Ashley Annansingh
Charlie Kingham
Charlie Simpson
I am sure everyone will join me in wishing our lads well and in congratulating the whole squad and coaching staff on a successful series of matches. 

Steve Johnson

Essex U16 Manager

The Essex County RFU Presidents dinner provided the ideal opportunity for the RFU President John Owen to boost his appeal to clubs to aid the Cumbrian flood disatster appeal.  At its annual Presidents Dinner, held at the Ivy Hill Hotel Margaretting,  Essex Rugby people generously donated cash and their raffle prizes to the the benefit of the fund.  Amongst the contributors were some of the stalwats of Chelmsford RFC who have received funding from the RFU in the past towards the development of their club and they were gracious in their contributions to the Presidents appeal.

RFU President appeals for Cumbria aid Wednesday November 25, 2009 Issued by Tony Simpson RFU President John Owen RUGBY Football Union President John Owen has appealed to RU clubs across the country to take a bucket collection at their games this weekend in aid of the victims of the flooding in Cumbria. The Chairman of the Cumbria RFU as well as the President of the Union who lives on the higher ground at Shap, Owen is still close to the devastation that has been visited upon communities like Cockermouth and Workington and in his role as the figurehead of one of England's major sports, he has urged clubs to back his appeal. "It will be a while before the after-effects of this crisis have passed and before then, families and communities will need all the help we can give them to get through," he says: "As a former policeman, I am desperately saddened by the death of PC Bill Barker while he was serving his community. He was a former Egremont player himself and his loss is the biggest tragedy of all. Our thoughts are with his family in these difficult times. "It is important that as a rugby family we help those less fortunate than ourselves and many who are suffering to-day have close ties with us. It is at times like this that the long- established core values of our sport come to the fore - friendship and the ability to respect and assist those who are in difficulties through no fault of their own. "There is so much to be done now in terms of getting the transport system working again and the general clean-up operation, but for individual families there will be real day-to-day issues that the rugby community across the country can help with by making a donation. "I noticed that England wing Mark Cueto, a Workington lad, has instigated a collection at the next Sale Sharks game, and I think we should replicate that initiative across the whole game. "We have the power to offer tangible support for people who are suffering and as a Cumbrian who can see at first hand what has been inflicted upon my community, I urge clubs to respond and help the people in this neck of the woods who are really struggling." Donations/cheques made payable to the 'Cumbria Community Foundation', with 'Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund' written on the reverse side, should be sent to: The Cumbria Community Foundation, Dovenby Hall, Cockermouth CA13 0PN. Tony Simpson North Press Officer Rugby Football Union +44 (0)7764 336708 tonysimpson@rfu.com To unsubscribe, please click here

SOUTHEND RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB AWARD 50 YEAR CLUB MEMBERSHIP TIES 
 SATURDAY 14^TH NOVEMBER   Picture by Jon Wagstaff

The pre-match lunch before the SOUTHEND VS DINGS CRUSADERS National League 2 match on the 14th November saw four more club members receive their Fifty Year ties:-

JEREMY ARNOLD 1957/58 1^ST XV PLAYER, ESSEX RFU & EASTERN COUNTIES.
COLIN CRAIGGY 1959/60 A & B XV’S and the NEWTS
DAVID DILLEY 1956/57 1^ST XV PLAYER, LIFE MEMBER and the NEWTS.
TIM QUINLAN 1958/59 A & B XV’S and the NEWTS

They join the other 46 members elected to the Fifty Year Club bringing the total number of members up to fifty representing a a true reflection of the greatness of our sport -  Rugby Union. Twenty Five members attended the lunch last Saturday with seven members of the side who beat Old Westcliffians 5pts – 0pts on the 14^th November 1959 attending the lunch.  The longest serving member DAI GASH (1947) was also in attendance however, regretfully Jack Howes 1948, Mottram Rankin 1956, Bill Ward 1934 and Tom Webb 1947 have all moved upwards to the heavenly HQ never to be forgotten.

With another half a dozen members reaching the milestone shortly Southend's commitment to Community Rugby can be in no doubt as they cover the whole spectrum of a cradle to grave membership within the club.

Neil Harding Chairman.