Canvey and Basildon Team up for Friendly

The Under 15s league game was postponed due to extra Essex training and a friendly was played instead. The temperature was considerably warmer than Wednesday’s training session and the pitch in pretty good condition considering the time of year. With both Basildon and Canvey struggling for number at Under 15 they teamed up to provide a formidable looking Barbarians side.

The front row started with Daniel House at tight-head prop, Joe Mitchell at hooker and James Mowle at loose-head. Jack Murphy and Jack Cahill started in the second row, Reece Garstin at openside flanker with Elliott Parsell at blindside and Austen King at number 8. Liam Baker began at scrum half, Louis Croll at fly half, Corey Lazell started at inside centre and Henry Willis at outside centre with Callum Blackman and Jacob Wright on the wings. Joseph Cottam completed the side at full-back.

One thing was for certain in this game, it was going to be tough match and the boys needed to ensure the defence had good line speed and the tackles went in fast and low. Basildon have always been a physically large side and their Canvey counterparts were no smaller. From the kick off both sides began to look for an opening, The pitch was wet and muddy so as play went on handling became more of a challenge. The result was scrums for a knock-on at regular intervals.

The Barbarians looked to use their size to force their way through and, despite some rugged defending, eventually they broke the line and a missed tackle allowed them to open the scoring. Rochford backs were struggling to get the ball wide with any speed so it was lucky that Corey Lazell broke a tackle inside his own ten metre line and made a break for the Barbarians line. With two defenders closing in, Henry Willis appeared on his right which gave Corey the chance, with the ball back in two hands, to fake a pass and wrong foot the full back. This allowed him to run the last 15 metres unopposed and touch down under the posts. Joseph Cottam secured the extra two points.

The Barbarians went on the attack again, using their size to great effect and recycling the ball well eventually found that half a gap again and scored their second try to re-take the lead. With ten minutes of the half remaining James Berry came on at scrum-half with Liam Baker moving to full-back. The ball was secured at a ruck by Rochford, midway in their half and it made its way out to Henry Willis who broke the line and a tackle and beat the Barbarians defenders for speed and scored to the left of the posts. A harder kick this time was coolly slotted over by Joseph Cottam.

Half-time – Rochford 14 Canvey/Basildon Barbarians 10

The second half saw Rochford make changes with Chris Martin coming on at Hooker, Sean Honey in the second row, Connor Jones on the wing and Joseph Cottam return to full-back. The Barbarians advanced to the Rochford twenty-two. With the ball popping out of the back of a ruck Chris Martin dived on the ball and a number of the substantial Barbarians pack fell on him. Initial concerns caused by seeing him face down in the dirt and not moving were eased when he stood himself up and limped off the pitch with a painful back but no serious injury. Joe Mitchell replaced him in the front row.

The Barbarians continued to press, stopping Rochford from getting out of their own half, and making inroads into the twenty-two. With the pitch conditions deteriorating and the ball getting more and more slippery the play began to stutter along with numerous handling errors from both sides. The Barbarians hard work in the break down was rewarded with a majority of the loose ball being regained.

Rochford continued to struggle to get out of their own half, attempting to strong arm their way through the middle against the largest Barbarian lads rather than move it wide and use the drier parts of the pitch and face the smaller opponents. James Berry made way with Corey Lazell moving to scrum half and Joseph Cottam returning to the match at full back.

With Rochford giving away a series of penalties, the Barbarians edged their way into the twenty-two each time being hit by a wall of black and red. With the last penalty being awarded on the five metre line, the Barbarians dived for the line only to be stopped inches short. From the ruck they picked up and dived round the corner to score their third. The conversion attempt was immediately followed by the final whistle, giving the Barbarians a hard fought and deserved win.

Full time – Rochford 14 Canvey/Basildon Barbarians 15

What we can take from this game is that the team’s defence is improving greatly, closing down attackers as a unit and make sure the tackles are made. It is important that the side start to impose their game on opponents, playing to our own strengths rather than those of the opposition, to make the most of their attacking flair.

Reece Garstin was selected as Man of the Match for his outstanding defensive display.

Tries
Corey Lazell
Henry Willis

Conversions
Joseph Cottam 2

1, Daniel House; 2, Joe Mitchell; 3, James Mowle; 4, Jack Murphy; 5, Jack Cahill; 6, Elliott Parsell; 7, Reece Garstin; 8, Austen King; 9, Liam Baker; 10, Louis Croll; 11, Callum Blackman; 12, Corey Lazell; 13, Henry Willis; 14, Jacob Wright; 15, Joseph Cottam; 16, James Berry; 17, Chris Martin; 18, Sean Honey; 19, Connor Jones