Southend have the edge in clash with Stanford RFC teens (From Thurrock Gazette)

Essex Cup clash

4:00am Friday 19th October 2012 in Sport

Stanford U15s 10

Southend U15s 43

RUGBY: STANFORD U15s travelled to Southend for their Essex Cup Preliminary round, determined to put up a good performance.

Southend scored first when the Stanford back row crept offside and home team’s kicker put over a penalty kick.

More Southend pressure followed but Stanford’s Charlie Downes dislodged the ball and prevented a certain try.

Stanford came back strongly and centre Sam Moran scored a try and gave the Stanford teens the lead. Minutes before half time a failed clearance kick by Stanford enabled a a Southend player to cut through the Stanford backs. The conversion was kicked and Southend regained the lead again, to the frustration of coaches and players. Stanford’s kick off went long and the enterprising backs spread the ball wide and sloppy tacking allowed their rivals through yet again. At the next restart Stanford pressed hard.

But another clearance kick failed to make touch and was punished with another Southend try. And then Stanford’s hooker Albert Aldham left the field field with an injured ankle and coaching staff were forced to make some positional changes. At half time the Stanford lads were disappointed with how the game was going and were determined to make amends. Stanford re-started strongly and camped inside the Southend 22. Despite constant pressure and territorial advantage it was Southend who again managed to score from a long clearance kick and fumbled. But there was some brightness from Stanford.

Charlie Downes looked dangerous every time he got the ball and made several runs down the touchline. But time and again he was stopped by a determined Southend defence. One run by Downes found Connor Houlihan with an inside pass and the strong centre showed good pace to get behind the defence and looked certain to score only to be hit high. The referee ignored the touchline calls for a high tackle and a penalty try. Stanford pressed and the home team gave away penalty after penalty for killing the ball and Jack Pearce crossed the line with a powerful drive but again the try was disallowed. Finally Charlie Downes played a quick tap and go and slid under the tackles to finally get more points.

For more rugbty see today's Thurrock Gazette.