Eastern Counties Rugby Union

On a hot, sunny day with a lush green pitch, EC took on NLD U18's at Newark RFC in their traditional friendly season opener .

EC received the kick-off and at once began to assert themselves with multiple phases and good liaison between forwards and backs. Eventually the pressure told and with just 3 minutes on the clock, Hugo F-W scored wide on the left. The conversion was unsuccessful. NLD 0. EC 5.

The spectators did not have to wait long for the next score as, with a marvellous piece of anticipation, Troy Palmer raced through an NLD line out to intercept a pass and make good ground. A slick off load to Kieran Hatter charging through in support saw the second try for the away team with 6 minutes gone. Kieran added the extras . NLD 0 EC12.

EC did not have it all their own way as NLD were awarded a penalty for not releasing the ball and made a good touch to win a 5 metre line-out. A throw to the back of the line caught the defence napping and a home forward charged through to score a converted try. NLD7. EC12.

EC were exerting great pressure with the forwards winning good ball at the set pieces and the backs demonstrating sure hands and running good lines. In defence, NLD were being denied time to develop their play with prop Matthew Naicker prominent at the breakdown and in the tackle.

With 15 minutes gone, NLD conceded a penalty close to their line and Naicker powered over for the third try. NLD 7 EC17.

Straight from the restart the ball was caught by EC and shipped wide to their right. A clever grabber kick stayed in play and a further hack saw the ball cross the try line with two EC players vying for the touch down. A successful conversion saw the lead extended to 24 -7.

EC enjoyed considerable pressure and territory for the remainder of the half but a combination of a lessening of concentration by the away team and key replacements by the opposition meant that the half ended at 24-7.

The second period saw wholesale changes from both sides to ensure good game time for everybody and it soon became apparent that the NLD team taking the field was not going to let their opponents have an easy time.

Under pressure from the home side, EC conceded a series of penalties with NLD moving ever closer to the try line. Eventually the ball was moved from right to left and a well-judged grubber kick was pounced on by NLD to notch an unconverted try. 24-14.

At this stage, EC were on the back foot but repelled their hosts with great resolve and excellent organisation and eventually began to show their own attacking skills. With the game drawing to a close, EC were determined to have the last word and, from a penalty on the 10 metre line, the ball went through several pairs of hands until Luca Martinelli gratefully took the chance to ground the ball and finish the scoring at 29-14 to EC.

Coach, James Herbert, was delighted by his players' performance considering that their warm up had been considerably curtailed by a delay caused by the team coach blowing a tyre. The Under 18 season now begins in earnest with coaching sessions re starting on Monday next as the squad prepare for their assessed games .