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.

National 2 South
Barking maintain their unbeaten record with a fine win over potential promotion hopefuls Ealing.  Radford again shone for Barking with an excellent display of kicking together with a well worked try in the second half.  A goot all round effort by the whole Barkign team saw then etch out a first half league which despite a valiant effort by Ealing became uassailable in the second half.  Barking hit the top spot in the league with Clifton doing the chasing and Canturbury followed by Rosslyn Park in third and fourth slot.  Southends away record let them down again when despite a magnificent comeback in the seond half went down to second placed Clifton 29-23, leaving the Seasiders in ninth place.

London1 North
There is no quaqrter given or taken in London North 1 amongst the Essex CLubs as proved by Westcliff who this week go top with a 5-36 win over Westcliff.  Chingford move into fifth place with a workmanlike performance over Harpenden resulting in a win by 25 points to 0.  Rochford pulled their socks up this week to recoever from a weak start to the season by beating Woodford 22-20.  Eston Manor put in a strong performance against Stevenage Town but just lost out 27 -25.

London 2 North East
A 10-47 win by Thurrock over Ipswich puts them at the head of London 2NE with Colcheter following up in second place following thier 13 - 25 win over Sudbury.  Chelmsford slip up with their first loss of the seaosn against Braintree 30-7 and Romford and Gidea Park pick up two valuable points with a 27 - 15 win over Enfield Ignations.

National Two South
Yesterday saw the first full Saturday league programme with some surprises, disappointments and some really cracking games in the County.  First up is Barking who have gained two wins out of two with a 48 - 20.  This puts them on top of the table with two very important matches to come in the next couple of weeks with other League championship contenders.  Southend pull up with a last minute penalty to draw with Shelford and get their first points on the board. Full match reports can be accessed on the club web sites at Barkingrfc.com and Southendrugby.com

With no Essex Clubs at level 5 - this Season,  we have six clubs at level six in London 1 North ( formerly London 2 North).  Brentwood beat their Herts rivals Harpenden 27 - 21 and Chingford turned the tables on strongly fancied Civil Service with a 30 - 19 win at home.  Rochford had a dismal day as they entertained Bury loosing 13 - 30 at Home.  Woodford enjoyed the trip to Stevenage as they came away with the points following a 23 - 31 win and though the score of the Eton Manor v Westcliff match was failed to make the results sheets, this was a win for Westcliff by 33 - points to 20

London Two North East (Formerly London 3 NE).  There are eight geographical Essex clubs in this league this season albeit that three of them are affiliated to Eastern Counties.  Top score of the day went to Colchester who beat Mersea Island 10 - 42.  They were closely followed by Braintree who beat Saffron Walden 39 - 22 then Thurrock who beat Norwich 5 - 34.  Romford & GP travelled up the M11 to Harlow, where under new Coach Mark Collins they earned a very respectful 7 - 32 win.  Chelmsford also found their winning touch as they beat Ipswich 12 - 19.  In the only other match in this league Sudbury beat Enfield Ignations 16 - 12

London Three North East ( Formerly London 4 NE).  Seven Essex clubs in this league this season which will lead to some excellent local derby's.  A close call at Dagenham where Basildon just ran out winners by 20 points to 24.  Wanstead travelled to Lowestoft and came off second best loosing 29 - 11.  A close finish took place at Hall Lane where South Woodham Ferrers made the first half tries count as they held off a second half comeback by Upminster at Hall Lane to win by 17 points to 19.  Canvey Island made the first of their long trips up to North, to West Norfolk and made the trip worth it with a find win by 9 points to 22.  Unfortunately Billericay could not replicate the winning pattern and lost to Wisbech by 22 points to 5.  In the only other match in this league Wymondham lost to Beccles 15 - 26.

Essex 1 - This season, eleven clubs make up Essex 1 with Billericay being reinstated at the last minute to London 3 NE following some emendations elsewhere in the Country with leagues and level transfers.  Old Cooperians topped the league after week one with a 27 - 7 win over Upper Clapton.  Thames beat Old Brentwood's 26 - 39 to go into second place.  East London surprised Ilford Wanders as they took home th points with a 5 - 17 win and at Maldon, Millwall lost their first match for some time as they came up against a determined Maldon team who won this one 25 - 17.  I believe the Bancroft Campion match ended in a 0 - 0 draw whilst for the first week, Clacton sat this one out.

Essex 2 - Having merged Essex two and Three this season to give us a 12 club league adn help clubs have a more meaningful fixture list it will be interesting to establish if there is much difference between the two leagues.  There were no massive differences in scores this week which bodes well for the future.  Ending up on top in week 1 is May & Baker who beat Brightlingsea 5 - 29.  Kings Cross Steelers also earned themselves a win beating Loughton 33 - 14.  Pegasus Palmerians beat Burnham 7 - 26 and Stanford beat Phantoms 26 - 7.  In was pleasing to see Witham back on the score sheets although they lost to Ongar 12 - 27.