Eastern Counties Rugby Union

All the promise of a bright day soon vanished as once again the snow, sleet and hail came down on to the battle trodden pitch at Holt.
Eastern Counties started the slower and allowed NLD to put them under pressure in their own 22. EC defended well and although turning NLD over several times, couldn’t keep their hands on the very slippery ball and allowed NLD to advance to within 5 metres. Again, EC defended well and managed to relieve the pressure by kicking in to touch just inside their own half. From the resulting lineout NLD drove forward and entered the EC 22 again but knocked on. From the scrum EC advanced into NLD territory for the first time and the ball was kicked out on the NLD 22. NLD secured their own line out and set up a maul but EC held firm and managed to turn the ball over eventually winning a penalty for offside. EC now found themselves on the NLD 5 metre line, but the ball was knocked on in the lineout and NLD had the scrum. EC continued to put NLD under pressure and managed to get the ball back and play a little bit of rugby but with the conditions getting worse, neither side could get any rhythm.
With 19 minutes gone EC were awarded the scrum from another knock on and almost lost possession at the next breakdown but some great counter rucking from Otto saw EC get the ball and spread it out to Matt Carter to go over the line for the first try of the afternoon. Jack B stepped up to make the conversion. EC 7-0.
From the restart, NLD put EC under a lot of pressure and looked like they may well strike back but EC defended well and managed to clear their lines. With the snow now coming down quite fast, both teams shared possession. NLD put some phases together but never really troubled the EC defence and EC could have scored a couple more but the score remained 7-0 as the boys went in for half time.
EC started the stronger in the 2nd half and had the advantage of the wind behind them and playing down the slight slope. After 5 minutes, Counties made some changes to offer up different options in both forwards and backs and continued to test NLD but they held strong and then started to enjoy a bit of possession themselves. They again tested the EC defence but the Counties line was solid and after 12 minutes of the 2nd half gone, EC started to increase the pressure and push for the line. With the put in at the scrum on the NLD 5 metre line the EC pack pushed forward, and Otto picked up the ball at the base of the scrum and went over for EC’s 2nd try of the day. 12-0. The weather hampered the conversion and although Jake struck the ball well it didn’t have the legs to go over. EC made further changes and continued to play the conditions well and soaked up everything that NLD had to offer. They threatened on several occasions to increase their lead and got close to the try line but failed to capitalise on all their possession. Final Score 12-0

EC started this 2nd game as they had the first and soaked up all the pressure in the opening 10 minutes. They were patient in their defence, and when they got the ball in the opposition half, made the most of their chances. The weather again played its part and both teams did well on what was a very cut up pitch. The wind played a part in the kicking aspect of the game but both sides still used this option, many times not making touch.
There were glimpses today of what sort of damage the Counties boys are capable of and on a dry day and a firm pitch you certainly wouldn’t bet against them.
Bring on East Mids.
DW
EC Squad, Jarno Longaretti (VC), Lewis Pickford, Josh Cilia, Alex Hassan, Ryan Gittins, Alex Houghton, Ryan Taaffe Fowle, Otto King, Jack Bowyer (C), Jake Mermagen, Adam Huggins, Jack Prior, Osian Williams, Matthew Carter, Tito Magistri, James Cunningham, Finley McCartney, Wilf Kemsley, Jack North, Matthew McCormack, Paddy Mountford, Max Derbyshire, Renee Ball.
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