Clacton 2s v Aldeburgh Match Report

Clacton 2s v Aldeburgh

19th March – at Clacton

Result: Clacton 46 Aldeburgh 5

A tough game to finish with

In bright sunshine, Aldeburgh finished their league season against a tough, strong Clacton side who simply proved too powerful.

The game was characterised by the strong running of the Clacton players, in particular their No. 8 and one of their second row, resulting in several missed tackles by Aldeburgh (an uncommon sight this season) and a regular succession of tries.

The first came after ten minutes with a break round the blind side of a scrum. A similar try followed after another ten minutes. On the half hour mark, the Clacton backs began to move the ball wide, breaking tackles and maintaining continuity to score under the posts. They repeated their success a few minutes later before their big No 4 powered over just before half time. 31-0 at the interval.

Aldeburgh continued to scrap, holding Clacton out for the first period of the second half. However, injuries began to take their toll. With only one sub, the second injury left Aldeburgh at a numerical disadvantage for the rest of the game.

With Jed Gallant unavailable, Ed Robson played out of position at scrum half. Adam Hateley took on the fly half role with his usual commitment, fearless tackling and powerful running. While both gave it their all, it highlighted how much of a contribution the half back pairing of Jed and Ed has made to Aldeburgh’s play this season. When Ed was injured, Jon Hunt stood in at scrum half.

Despite the injuries, the Aldeburgh pack held its own, even pushing Clacton back in a scrum 5 metres out from which Jon picked up and powered over for Aldeburgh’s only try.

Spirited defence restricted Clacton to three tries in the second half, one by the big No 8 and two from flowing back moves.

A highlight of the game was the performance of Brandon Russell at centre in his second game for the club. Strong in both attack and defence, he will be an asset. Well done to Adam Hateley for recruiting so many good players this season.

Most of the players came back to the clubhouse for an enjoyable (apart from the result) evening watching the England v France match.

Aldeburgh Vs Woodbridge 2 Match Report

Aldeburgh v Woodbridge II

25th January   King’s Field

Result: Aldeburgh 7 – Woodbridge 88

Great commitment in a challenging season

There is no getting away from the fact that this is a tough season for Aldeburgh.  After a close game away to Harwich the previous week, hopes were high for the home game with Woodbridge, but the opposition were far too strong.  Despite that, the commitment of the Aldeburgh players right to the final whistle showed their character and team spirit which will carry them through.

It was clear from the start that this would be a difficult game.  Woodbridge had powerful, strong-running forwards who even had the upper hand in the set scrums which has been Aldeburgh’s strength this season.  In their No 12, Woodbridge had a player of high quality whose speed, strength and mazy running enabled him to score several tries and set up others.

Throughout the match there were periods when Aldeburgh held their own.  At the end of the first half, they set up a series of drives with such speed that they gained a penalty for offside which they took quickly, drove on and finally bundled over the line.  It was to be the highlight of Aldeburgh’s match.

Every Aldeburgh player kept going to the end so it is invidious to pick out anyone.  Nevertheless, mention must be made of the performance of Rupert Clogg at full back.  At least four times a powerful Woodbridge runner only had Rupert to beat before he flattened them.  His tackling was brave, technically superb and brutal.  He turned defence into attack when, picking up a long kick into the corner on his own try line, he broke to the half way line before he was brought down.  He kicked the conversion too.

Aldeburgh v Harwich II

Aldeburgh v Harwich & Dovercourt II

18th January   Harwich

Result: Harwich 36 - Aldeburgh 28

Progress and a Bonus Point

A match played in a good spirit continued the great progress made by Aldeburgh in the new year and was rounded off with a bonus point try.

With a bright sun shining low into Aldeburgh's faces in the first half, on a sodden pitch, in places a quagmire which made scrummaging difficult and with only 15 players it could have been a difficult start.  However, Harwich offered to help out if needed, a spirit which permeated the whole game. 

Aldeburgh received from the kick off, took the play into Harwich's half and kept it there until Jake Hateley scored the first try after five minutes, converted by Rupert Clogg.  Harwich fought back and, although Aldeburgh had the measure of them in the scrums, managed to get the next try in the 18th minute but did not convert.  Despite conceding another two tries in the first half, Aldeburgh's spirits remained high.  Half time score: Harwich 17 Aldeburgh 7.

Although Aldeburgh kicked off the second half with the sun on their backs, they conceded another two converted tries in quick succession.  Nevertheless, Aldeburgh fought back, Callum Goodwin scoring in the 51st minute (to add to his unacknowledged try last week).  Rupert again converted.  Caught off guard at the kick off, Aldeburgh allowed Harwich to barrel through for an unconverted try which turned out to be their last score.

In the 60th, John Hunt went over, again converted by Rupert.  After much back and forth play, Jake Hateley got a second try in the last minute followed by a cracking kick from Rupert for the conversion.  

Probably the best performance of the season gave a four try bonus point, narrowly missing out on a losing bonus point.  Ed Robson at No 10 was man of the match for his excellent kicking game.