Eastern Counties Rugby Union

Eastern Counties against all the odds give themselves a Twickenham Final on Sunday 31 May, kick off 10am, and a new challenge next year in the first division of the County Championship.

A new experience playing on a 4G pitch allowed for both sides to create a free flowing game full of excitement and end to end action. A friendly welcome at the home of Newcastle Falcons, on a bright ,hot day, started with both sides testing each other out and defences standing up to the barrage of attacks, much to coach Mark Bolton’s delight.
Northumberland wanted to dominate the set piece and from a rolling maul after a lineout ,Blaydon’s, Shaun English opened the scoring with a show of power in the right corner.

Northumberland’s dominance of the set-piece looked like it would build them a handy platform but they were unable to capitalise on it, handling errors and a lack of cohesion allowing Eastern Counties back into the game.

Counties forwards drove deep into the heart of the Northumberland defence. Ben Penfold marshalling the forwards and James Shanahan steering the ship from fly half, allowed Counties to dominate. Second row, Martin Wolfenden, smashed his way over scattering the defence before him. James Stokes converted for Counties to take the lead.

Full back, Stokes, gave Counties a 10-5 half-time lead when Northumberland’s haste to run a ball out of their own 22 saw Alnwick wing James Bird isolated in possession. The back row of Aki Lea, Simon Johnson and Steve Hipwell were working at the break down effectively resulting in this penalty.

On the stroke of half time Counties gave away a penalty for a ruck infringement in front of the posts, Blaydon’s Rhodri Adamson fluffing a kick from similar range with the final play of the half.

Counties came out after a decisive team talk by coaches Bolton and Kolakowski, with clear determination to play fast free flowing rugby. Early pressure led to some excellent work from the back three of Mike Ayrton, Ben Murphy and Stokes driving Counties down to within five metres of the Northumberland line. Pressure from the sniping Ben Penfold and an eight phase play led to Northumberland infringing.

Near catastrophe occurred when ill-discipline by a Counties led to the penalty being reversed and Jason Smithson’s try, snuck over from a ruck in the left corner. Adamson rectified his previous miss with a touchline conversion of.

Northumberland’s lead lasted less than five minutes as Stokes’ penalty put the visitors one point up. Eastern Counties’ Red Newberry was then sent to the sin-bin following a midfield skirmish placing pressure on the team. Steve Hipwell was leading from the front and dominating the loose play and support from Ollie Marriott and Simon Uzokwe allowed Counties to maintain pressure even with only 14 players.

Northumberland’s extra man counted for nothing when an 80-metre interception handed Ben Murphy a try, visiting captain James Shanahan pouching it on his own 22 and delivering the killer pass to his winger.

A further Yellow card for Northumberland’s Bailey’s and a further Stokes penalty increased the size of Eastern Counties lead. A Harry Bate’s late try, for Northumberland, ensured a nail-biting finish.

Stokes’ penalty removed any doubt of the final score and Counties went home on their 8 hour journey victorious looking forward to a Twickenham final and Division 1 Championship rugby against Lancashire, Yorkshire and Durham next season
Match Day Squad:

Matt Worrall- Clare (Cambridge), Ean Griffiths (Cambridge), Sisa Naqasima (Shelford),
Martin Wolfenden (Cambridge), Ollie Marriott (Cambridge), Aki Lea (Shelford),
Simon Johnson (Cambridge), Steve Hipwell (Cambridge), Ben Penfold (Cambridge),
James Shanahan © (Old Albanians), Mike Ayrton (Cambridge), James Ayrton (Cambridge),
Albert Portsmouth (Cambridge), Ben Murphy (Colchester), James Stokes (Cambridge)
Replacements: Simon Uzokwe (Darlington Mowden Park), Wesley White (Ipswich),
Red Newberry (Shelford), Conor Gracey (Cambridge), Chris Blom (Ipswich),
Tom Dougherty (Bishop Stortford), Mark Bolton (Sudbury)

Director of Rugby: Rowland Winter
Coaches: Mark Bolton & Pete Kolakowski
Team Manager: David Masdin
Assistant Manager: Shaun Gardner
Physiotherapist: Steph Dear