Eastern Counties Rugby Union

Eastern Counties RU 38, East Midlands RU 18

EASTERN Counties Director of Rugby Rowland Winter believes the team's attentions are already focused on next weekend’s clash with Northumberland after the Senior XV eased to victory over East Midlands.

The hosts fell behind early on in their first outing of this year’s Bill Beaumont Cup and only held a narrow four-point lead at the break.

However, Eastern Counties cut loose after the break and eventually recorded a comfortable victory that condemned East Midlands to their second straight defeat and put EC level at the top of Division 2 North with Northumberland.

Winter is hoping to see the team improve even more when the two sides face off next week.
“We am delighted with the win, especially scoring six tries and considering the boys came together only six days ago,” said Winter.
“That showed in the early stages but as the game went on the team came together and showed their class.
“In the end the game proved to be the ideal warm-up game for next week’s fixture away to Northumberland.”

Adam Barnard opened the scoring when he pounced on a chip from East Midlands fly-half Scott Brown, who added the extras.

Eastern Counties wasted little time after the restart and after good work from Martin Wolfenden, they released left wing Mike Ayrton to score in the corner, though full-back James Stokes missed the conversion.

They took the lead when blindside flanker Aki Lea barged his way to the line to score wide out, but Stokes again missed the kick.
The hosts then conceded a penalty in front of the posts and Brown took the opportunity level the scores at 10-10.

Eastern Counties wrestled back the lead when replacement Red Newberry drove powerfully towards the line and scored under the posts, Stokes this time adding the extras.
However the visitors had the last word of the half, another Brown penalty sending his side into the break just four points behind.

The visitors flew out the blocks in the second half and grabbed the game’s next try, but
Eastern Counties were quick to hit back through replacement Sam Bixby and another Stokes conversion.

Stokes missed the chance to extend the lead when he sent a penalty wide of the mark but Bixby’s second try soon followed after a powerful run through the centres – Stokes on target with the extras.

After a scuffle off the ball, Eastern Counties prop Luke Beales was sent off but that didn’t stop the hosts from continuing to push forward.
Harry Peck produced a neat chip forward and Ollie Marriott ran onto it, only to step into touch just before crossing over.

However, Eastern Counties were able to turn over the resulting lineout and, with the visitors scrambling in defence, tight head Matt Worrall-Clare barged his way over the line under the posts.

Ben Penfold added the extras to complete the scoring but East Midlands coach Mark Kefford wasn’t left feeling too frustrated at the result.

“I was disappointed at the loss, but was happy with a much improved performance over last week’s game against Northumberland and impressed by the commitment shown by all the players,” he said.
“Despite the two losses I feel the squad are developing well and are in a good place to move forwards towards next season.”

Team:

1. Luke Beales (Bury St Edmunds)
2. Ean Griffiths (Cambridge)
3. Matt Worrall-Clare (Cambridge)
4. Martin Wolfenden (Cambridge)
5. Ollie Marriott (Cambridge)
6. Aki Lea (Shelford)
7. Simon Johnson (Cambridge)
8. Steve Hipwell (Cambridge)
9. Ross Kevan (Cambridge)
10. James Shanahan (Old Albanians) (c)
11. Mike Ayrton (Cambridge)
12. James Ayrton (Cambridge)
13. Chris Lombaard (Old Albanians)
14. Mike Gillick (Cambridge)
15. James Stokes (Cambridge)

16. Sisa Naqasima (Shelford)
17. Sam Bixby (Bury St Edmunds)
18. Red Newberry (Shelford)
19. Kain Rix (Ipswich)
20. Harry Peck (Cambridge University)
21. Ben Penfold (Cambridge)
22. Ryan Headington (Cambridge)

Scorers:

Tries : Mike Ayrton, Aki Lea 2, Sam Bixby 2, Matt Worral-Clare
Conversions: James Stokes 3, Ben Penfold