Eastern Counties Rugby Union

With the promised rain holding off until the final stages of the game, conditions were perfect for this winner takes all relegation clash between two teams who were yet to win a game in this year’s County Championship Division one.

Early exchanges were even, with each side testing each other’s defences. It was Yorkshire who broke the deadlock driving deep into the home side’s 22 allowing Yorkshire tight head Sprout to score from a powerful driving maul.

From the kick off Yorkshire were again on the attack moving the ball quickly from the breakdown and now allowing Eastern Counties chance to get over the ball. However blindside flanker and captain Newbury halted the Yorkshire attack turning the ball over at the ruck.

Some sustained pressure by Eastern Counties saw them advance up the field with scrum half Gillick feeding number 8 Wedlock who smashed his way through would-be tacklers offloading to Naqasima who made further hard yards.

Replacement back row Lea was brought on for Wedlock on the 20 minute mark and made an immediate impact cleaning up a lose pass in midfield taking the ball close to the Yorkshire try line. Allowing scrum half Gillick to snipe wide out on the left to score the first try for Eastern Counties, which was converted by Hrbek who had a faultless day with the boot.

From the restart Eastern Counties stand out player Bixby caught the ball and skipped passed the Yorkshire pack, feeding hooker Calvert who took the ball at full tilt racing in from 30m for a try which was converted by Hrbeck.

The home side were immediately on the scoreboard again as a result of poor defending at the restart by the Yorkshire pack who seemed to be asleep. This time scrum half Gillick making a break and running in from half way to score his second try, converted by Hrbek, resulting in an impressive 21-7 half time lead.

Yorkshire upped their game from the start of the second half making what proved to be influential changes in their front row which allowed them to take charge in the scrum and maul. Solomi, Yorkshire’s openside flanker was able to control the ball at the back of the rucks and made some important yards setting up a driving maul close to the Eastern Counties line at which Eastern Counties lock Norris-George was shown a yellow card for coming in at the side.

Yorkshire elected to go for the scrum and being a man down Eastern Counties were unable to resist the drive from Yorkshire who were awarded a penalty try, which was converted by Yorkshires fly half Lound bringing Yorkshire to 7 point of the home team at 21-14.

Yorkshire again capitalised on the advantage of an extra player, with scrum half exploiting the blind side of the scrum, switching with right wing Frewin who ran in from the 22m, which was converted by Lound levelling the scores at 21 all.
As the game entered a tense last quarter, Yorkshire were again showing their forward dominance in the scrummage, with replacement prop Langley sin-binned for not engaging at the scrum. With an easy penalty kick being available Yorkshire instead decided to turn the screw and elected for a scrum and despite Eastern Counties surprising them holding their ground Yorkshire were able to break down the blind side and pop the ball back to lock Brady who charged over the line to score. Despite the unsuccessful conversion, Yorkshire took a 21-26 lead.

However from the restart Eastern Counties put the ball through the phases and were awarded a penalty on the 22m which left wing Hrbek slotted, narrowing the margin to 2 points at 24-26.

Eastern Counties changing tactics slightly decided to move the ball quickly away from Yorkshire’s pack instead using their backs to run at gaps in the tiring Yorkshire defence. Inside centre Tarrant again making a clean break and feeding his centre partner Smith who put the after burners on streaking to the line from 40m to score, which was converted by Hrbek, taking the score to 31-24.

Eastern Counties were soon in front again with Bixby again making a surging run from the restart providing quick ball to Gillick to ship to the backs. Inside centre Tarrant seeing a space out wide put a clever kick behind the Yorkshire defence which left wing Hrbek picked up to score and collect the extra two points from the conversion to make the score 38-26

With only a few minutes on the clock left Eastern Counties were again on the score sheet, this time through captain Newbury marked a fine performance barging his way over from a ruck on the Yorkshire line to score a try, converted by Hrbek making the score 45-26.

It however was Yorkshire who were the last to score, being awarded a second penalty try for offside at the ruck, the resulting conversation taken by Lound was successful resulting in a final score of 45-33.

Eastern Counties Captain Red Newbury said after the game "I am immensely proud of the whole squad who gave their all in what were three extremely tough fixtures in particular the two away games at Cheshire and Lancashire. I am also pleased that the team had achieved its target of remaining in Division 1 of the county championship having been promoted last season that was our main goal"

Eastern Counties
Tries: Calvert 1, Gillick 2, Hrbek 1, Smith 1, Newbury 1
Conversions: Hrbek 6
Penalties: Hrbek 1
Drop goals: None

Yorkshire
Tries: Stout 1, Brady 1, Frewin 1, Penalty Try 2
Conversions: Lound 4
Penalties: None
Drop goals: None