Friday nights, under flood lights at Warners bridge are always special. Tonight was no different. Southend welcomed king John school for this eagerly awaited fixture, in front of a bumper crowd. The bar was open, and the atmosphere was building nicely.
The King John side was loaded with players from all the local rugby clubs, including one of our own, Ed Morley, and coached by current 1st team coach and ex player Mark Sexton. Southend knew this would be a tough assignment.
From the kick off, the match was played at an impressive pace, in wet and muddy conditions. Both sides seemed committed to play a passing running style of rugby. However, it was Southend who struck 1st. A long raking kick from fly half Adams, was chased well, and after a couple of rucks close to king Johns line Big Albert went over.
Both teams were impressive at the break down, providing their scrum half’s with fast clean ball. Then Some lovely backs play as centre Tyler put Wing Logan Farrow in for an excellent score, only for the referee to disallow it for a forward pass. More pressure down the right side next, with scrum half East, launching a wonderful Depont style double mis pass to the other winger Saville, only to be stopped just short of the line. Southend finally made their opening dominance count though. Adams chipped a grubber through the King John rush Defence, chased hard by Winger Farrow, and all action flanker Roman Clift. The ball hacked forward a couple of times and touched down by Clift in the corner. Adams narrowly missed the touch line conversion, but the match was looking comfortable at 12-0.
However, King John now wrestled the momentum back. A couple of great runs by their left winger, and huge meters made in midfield by some of their experienced forwards got them close to the southend line. Heroic defending by the southend pack in their own 22 seemed to be repelling this phase of pressure. But, King John suddenly changed to point of attack, and put one of the backs on a diagonal run, and caught the defence wrong footed. A well work try close to the posts. Half time, 12-7 to southend.
At the start of the 2nd half, southend used all their substitutes. Fresh legs. King Johns Morley also swapped allegiances, now playing for his beloved club side.
Both teams continued to try and play expansive rugby on a muddy pitch, and pretty successfully, amongst the odd knock on here and there. But it was the Southend forwards that got rewarded next. Excellent at the scrum, and around the ruck, they edged closer and closer to King Johns line. Finally front rower Eddy Brazier screaming for the ball 8 meters out, received a pass and crashed through a couple of defends for the final score of the match. Extras added.
Southend RFC 19 - King John School 5
A great Performance, under the lights, and special mention to Southends man of the match, flanker Roman Clift. If we had the technology, his running stats would have been off the chart. Fantastic performance from all the boys. Let’s roll onto the cup final next weekend against rivals Maldon. All for One, and one for all.
