Sat 9 Sep 2023
The Saxons returned to Warners Bridge hoping to kick start their Regional Anglia 2 campaign after a last minute loss away to Woodford the week before. As temperatures rose above 30 degrees both sets of players took to the field. The visitors came into this one following a home defeat to Thurrock in round one.
It was the Saxons who received kick off playing from left to right, who made immediate in roads, showing a clear dominance on the gain line, playing some really attractive, fast flowing rugby. The visitors sadly lost their fly half early on after he bravely attempted to stop a bulldozing Chris Vaughan run! The game restarted with a scrum and it was clear to see a set piece dominance was forming in the Saxons favour. Phases built and width was shown in the hosts attacking play, the ball made its way across the pitch where full back Jack MacVeigh dotted down in the corner to register the first point of the afternoon.
Most pleasingly was the Saxons defence this week looked organised and far more committed than what we had seen last week. The visitors had a go and looked for field position by kicking the ball in behind a number of times to no avail. The Saxons were picking up pace and we’re looking more and more threatening, with forwards carrying well and linking up with the backs it wasn’t long before Matt Wagstaff found Jack Buckley who powered over from close range to extend the Saxons lead, supplying Ben Lloyd with a routine conversion. The first water break was called and both sets of players regrouped in the shaded space.
After a well deserved hydration break, the hosts kicked on, once again moving the ball well, leaving the visitors scrambling in defence, and within two minutes, full back Jack MacVeigh once again broke the line and scampered through untouched to register the third Saxons try of the afternoon. This followed patient build up play leading to space being found in the wider parts of the pitch. The line out was functioning well this week, with a platform clearly set playing regularly off the tail and generating good go forward with the attacking maul. However, after this score, it was in fact the visitors who made use of some poor discipline by the hosts making their way into the Saxons 22. A yellow card for Harry Branch lead to a line out 10 metres from the line and to their credit, Holt powered over from close range to secure their first score of the afternoon. The first half was drawing to a close, but there was time for one last visit into the Holt 22. The pack had another opportunity at the scrum to flex their muscles and show their dominance which lead to a Holt player being yellow carded for a deliberate knock on moments later. Ben Lloyd opted to take the easy three and take the Saxons in at half time, 22-5 up.
The second half started brightly as the Saxons played into the lowering sun. In fact the third quarter had an element of run-pass-score-repeat to it. The Saxons registered just shy of thirty points in this time frame with some outstanding team tries being registered. Matt Wagstaff successfully claimed every restart utilising space down the blindside on occasion or setting player of the match Jack Buckley free with one of his trade mark galloping runs. Both these players were outstanding in the open along with John Kenward who also registered two tries throughout the afternoon. Kalani Parkinson continued to make himself at home with some excellent offloading and gliding runs, he actually fell just short of the line on one occasion following a 40 metre dash! A flurry of tries from the Saxons including a third for Jack MacVeigh, Tom Ramsey, Harry Branch and a second for Jack Buckley took the score beyond 50. The players made it to the hour mark and regrouped with a hydration stoppage. The coaching staff had managed the players well, utilising the allocated interchanges available. It was going to be a tough final twenty minutes to muster but to the Saxons credit their fitness levels shone through, maintaining a consistent level of performance throughout surpassing the 60 point mark soon after. The Saxons wisely played the clock down and got the ball off the pitch to finish proceedings, the referees whistle blew and a big sigh was taken. A tremendous effort in incredibly challenging conditions.
A brilliant way to start the season at home for the Saxons, 11 tries in total and there arguably could and should have been more had passes stuck and points been converted. Never the less an excellent win and let’s hope this can kick start some momentum going forwards as we make the trip to Thurrock next week.
Full time, 63-5.
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