Mersea Island 17 Development Squad 32 

Probably the most horrendous conditions to play a game of rugby in at the weekend,

right on the coast with a constant gale blowing, throwing it down with rain, and bitterly cold so not an afternoon for running attractive rugby. We started with the slope in our favour and the wind behind us, well sort of, so at least we would be well in front by half time that was the plan anyway.

Conditions were awful, passing was fairly hit and miss and any form of game plan and structure went out of the window. The refereeing did not help either as due to the conditions he felt that he did not have to bring the laws into play as two teams had turned up so just let anything go and see what happens at the end. With a more stringent ref they would have been penalised all game and probably a couple of players down for repeat infringements especially off side. So, with just a Richie Cottam try and a James Worthington conversion and two conceded tries half time came with us trailing 12 – 7. Not the first half we wanted but as we all gathered at half time shivering and soaked at least we knew what we needed to do in the second.

The game was won in the first fifteen to twenty minutes of the second half with an outstanding performance from the forwards keeping the ball tight and always support for the players making their breaks and runs. Tries from Chalky, Richie, Corry and Andy with Andy adding two conversions sealed the win.

They scored again right at the end by which time everyone was desperate for the ref to blow up anyway. A match to forget in many ways but an immense performance form the pack and at least meaning that we progress to the semi final of the Eastern Counties cup.