Haywards Heath 18 (Tries: Denslow, Otuhouma. Con: Ashton. Pens: Ashton 2.).
Canterbury 31 (Tries: Robinson 2, Keir, Hinkins, Pratt. Cons: Reilly 3.)
Report courtesy of Canterbury website.
With every target achieved before they went into this final match of the season it was perhaps expecting too much of the champions to present us with a master class. What we got was an entertaining, untidy and error strewn game which saw Canterbury complete an impressive record of winning every away league match, but not before Haywards Heath pushed them most of the way. The city club only assumed a degree of control in the final twenty minutes which allowed them to run out winners, somewhat flatteringly, by five tries to two. Four of those Canterbury tries were scored by forwards but it was the greater pace and adventure of the backs that was a major difference between the sides.
After a promising start in the Spring sunshine, which brought city skipper Chris Hinkins a sixth minute try, Heath dominated possession for lengthy periods and were always in with a chance of creating an upset. That was partly due to early injuries which robbed the city club of lock Andy Bernthal and, more significantly, their lineout thrower Rowan O'Gorman. Neither player was seriously hurt but the damage to Canterbury's supply of ball was considerable. Chances on both sides went begging but a worrying slackness in defending rucks and mauls brought joy for a couple of Heath's experienced hands, scrum half Alex Meredith and outstanding flanker Dave Wattam, both of whom made life uncomfortable for the champions. The home side came up with a deserved try in 27th minute when wing Lei Otuhouma burrowed over after his forwards had laid siege to the Canterbury line and Owen Ashton kicked them into a narrow lead. It was deep into first half stoppage time before the city club replied, thanks to a scything run by Carlton Littlechild which ended in an Ollie Robinson try and a fine conversion by James Reilly.
Ashton's penalty goal soon after the re-start was a set back but a clever run from midfield by Reilly led to a second Robinson's try and the conversion gave Canterbury a nine-point advantage, Heath were clearly not prepared to be shaken off and as the final quarter approached Ashton's second penalty goal, which crept in off both posts, and a clinical catch and drive try from hooker Gordon Denslow kept the pot boiling nicely. There was, however, always the lurking menace of the city club backs and two tries in three minutes finally won the breathing space their side needed. Wessel Wolmarans neat break set up a score behind the posts for Andy Pratt and the last word of an outstanding season went to lock Rob Keir who appeared on the end of a right wing thrust to settle issue.
Richmond 97 (Tries: Tennuci 5, Ajuma 4, Hart, MacLennan, Connellan, Whitford, Gregory, Ault. Cons: Hart 11).
Old Colfeians 5 (Try: Tunnicliffe)
Richmond warmed up for their play off match with Clifton with a comprehensive victory over Old Colfeians running in 15 tries.
Leading the way with five tries to move well clear at the top of the try scorers list was winger Chris Tennuci whilst Jo Ajuma playing in the centre scored four. All the others were single try scorers including full back Matt Hart who also added 11 conversions for a 27 point haul for the afternoon.
Barnes 17 (Tries: Da Silva, Heather, Roles. Con: Green.).
London Scottish 0 (Tries: McCarthy 3, Janke. Cons: Williams 3. Pen: William.)
Barnes complete a first season in London Division One in a commendable consolidation 5th position.
After a heavy St.Georges day 3-hour luncheon, on a beautiful Barnes day bringing about record gate receipts, wing Ricardo Gomes da Silva, aka "the flying pig", making only his 5th outing, opened the score for the home team with a spectacular flying try captured on many a Barnes camera (pic attached). The provocative and noisy wind machine made in Scotland was silenced. Silky skilled sober scrum-half and stand in kicker Jonathan William Green ably converted from far out on the wing. He had taken over Barnes leading point’s scorer kicking duties from ex-Middlesex award machine Paul Farmer who had unselfishly won the Barnes raffle third prize and had taken the holiday in Oz a week early. So a repeat of the match at Scottish, Barnes were in the lead and good value at first quarters end. However Barnes euphoria was shortly spoiled when that well known Scot, 2nd row Clynton Janke scored after 23 minutes with Thomas Williams successfully converting, 7-7. The scores remained even until the 8th minute of time added on by astute referee Keith Lewis, when flanker and mustard heir, Colman McCarthy scored the first of his 3 tries to give the Scots a 14-7 lead at half-time. William Grant whisky presented to the boys from Barnes was generously offered to all.
3 minutes into the second half McCarthy scored his second try, again converted before Barnes responded with a brace of tries after 5mins Timothy Roles following sustained Barnes pressure and 16mins, Dick Best favourite, Effron Heather, stand-in stand off, with a jinking run. The half-time drinks had clearly affected JW's vision as unfortunately neither try was converted. One might say, was this rapid scoring assisted by the addition of that heavyweight replacement trio Bonney Buster Grimes sweeping all before them? However a remarkable home victory was just not to be. With only 15mins remaining Williams kicked a penalty and in the 3rd minute of added time McCarthy completed his hat trick, this time unconverted. The final score 17-29 was regarded as harsh for the terrific Barnes performance against the Leagues leading scoring machine. All was later made apparent. Apparently Barnes' coach, Coach Buster's cunning pre-season plan was to finish eighth in London One to allow a season of consolidation and avoid too hasty a rise to the Premiership. A final 5th position was regarded as somewhat too close for comfort and his drink was consequently laced in the evening that decimated his well rehearsed speech. The post match party continued well into the wee hours with considerable barrels of beer and other liquids consumed with a good time had by all or so I am told. Roll on next September. Word is out that Barnes might now go for promotion. Until next season, have a great summer.
Ealing 39 (Tries: Norman, Ejikeme, Hughes 2, Carr. Cons: Ward 4. Pens: Ward 2 ).
Old Albanians 12 (Tries: Evans, Burr. Con: Gregg.)
Comfortable home win for Ealing to end the season out scoring the visitors five tries too two.
Ben Ward kicked the home side ahead with a 9th minute penalty goal and five minutes later they were 10-0 up after a try from centre Chris Hughes and Ward converted.
Ward added a second penalty goal just after the half hour mark and with half time approaching they got their second try with No 8 Russell Carr touching down and Ward converted for 20-0.
Early in the second half the visitors got on the scoreboard when wing Mark Evans touched down and Richard Gregg converted.
The home side took control again them with two tries in five minutes to open up a 32-7 lead with Hughes getting his second and Leighton Norman getting the other and Ward adding a conversion.
Old Albanian did get another try just after the hour mark but the home side sealed the win when Hughes completed his hat trick in the 78th minute.
Staines 73 (Tries: Koloko 3, Valentine, Turner, Willis, Hunt, Knill, Carruthers, Sheasby, Lyons. Cons: Knill 9.).
Tabard 8 (Try: Gough. Pen: Buchholz.)
Loose head prop, Nigel Gough, a Tabard stalwart for many years and one of the coaches of Tabards successful Under 15 team, added another feather to his cap when he scored Tabards only try in their 73 points to nil defeat at Staines on Saturday.
In a year which started reasonably promising for Tabard, few could have foreseen the second relegation in successive seasons and the worst season in their history but in the end the professionalism of the top sides, Canterbury who are promoted and Richmond who go into the playoffs, signified a departure from the Corinthian rugby played by Tabard and means that the Radlett side will have to work hard for sponsorship and playing members to pull themselves round for next season.
Saturdays game was similar to many this end of the season with Tabard playing good rugby, tackling hard all the way to the end but still finding themselves letting too many points through. Although Staines scored early on Tabard then gave them a run for their money for the first quarter and even looked like putting some points on the board with good penetrating runs from wing Michael Thomas and centre Louis Botha. In the second quarter Staines went ahead by 12 points to nil before a penalty from Tabards centre Hayden Buchholz put Tabard on the scoreboard. Staines then made it 19 points to three before Gough's try. This came in classic Tabard style with a line out close in, second row Mike Finnie taking the ball and setting up the drive, which Tabard reinforced with extra players, thus ensuring the momentum and Gough was in the thick of it for the touch down. Thus the teams turned round with Tabard 19 points to 8 adrift.
The second half was similar to the first, good defence from Tabard and some good attacking moves, with flanker Scott Stoba putting in an inspirational performance but still not getting the reward, whereas Staines were able to just keep the scoreboard moving and thus there was no last match recovery for beleaguered Tabard and they have to look to next season for their next victory.
Bishop’s Stortford 34 (Tries: Haslam 2, Budworth, McCraith, Figueiredo. Cons: Coleman 3. Pen: Coleman.).
Worthing 34 (Tries: Taylor 2, Stewart McDonald, Farnes, Dove. Cons: Taylor 3. Pen: Taylor.)
High scoring end of season draw at Silver Leys with both sides scoring five tries each.
After the home side got of to a quick start with full back Stuart Haslam touching down in the 4th minute and Tom Coleman converted for a 7-0 lead it was the visitors who then dominated the scoring.
Worthing were off the mark in the 8th minute with a Duncan Taylor penalty goal and ahead in the 15th minute when centre Jamie Stewart McDonald went over and Taylor converted for 10-7. Two more tries before half time saw them extend their lead to 22-7 with second row Steve Dove and Taylor touching down.
They went even further ahead two minutes into the second half when Taylor went over for a second try which he converted to make it 29-7 and it looked game over.
The home side had other ideas and clawed their way back with Haslam getting a second try and then replacement Tom McCraith and Luigi Figueiredo going over Coleman added a couple of conversions and when he put over a 77th minute penalty goal it was 29-27 to the visitors, their lead cut back to just two points.
Worthing got a fifth try in the 79th minute to stop the home sides charge when left wing Matt Farnes went over but it went unconverted leaving them seven points ahead. The home side snatched a late draw two minutes into injury time when No 8 Jarrett Budworth went over for a try and Coleman added the extras. |
