Match Reports by Brian Wren
NEW SEASON 2006-2007
14-4-07
Dagenham II RUFC ( 5 ) vs. Westcliffe II RFC ( 7 )
Away BL Division 5 League Cup Final
Match Reports by Brian Wren
NEW SEASON 2006-2007
14-4-07
Dagenham II RUFC ( 5 ) vs. Westcliffe II RFC ( 7 )
Away BL Division 5 League Cup Final
Dagenham Rugby Clubs Second fifteen went to the BL League Cup Finals day on Saturday looking to complete a league and cup double against runners up Westcliffe in what turned out to be the game of the day.
Fielding possibly their strongest team of the season the D's were in good spirits ahead of the game however on arrival at Westcliffe the soaring temperatures and rock hard ground made it clear this was going to be a difficult afternoon for all.
The venue for the finals having been set earlier in the season meant this fixture was played at Westcliffe so the advantage was with the Home side although the large travelling support of the D's more than equalled that of Westcliffe in both numbers and volume and this made the game feel like a home one for the league champs.
The game started very well for the D's with some great field position time and again being waste by poor play at the set piece where they failed to win any of the early line outs and also lost too much ball in the scrum. This coupled with some missed penalty attempts from both Jordan Wigham and Lee Dyer meant the scores remained at 0-0 until half time.
The first half had been very much a battle up front which Westcliffe edged, had the D's been able to dominate the forward battle this game would have been over by half time, but some dogged performances particularly from the Westcliffe open side flanker left the D's with nothing to show from a mass of territorial advantage.
The D's knew the second half would be much harder than the first as Westcliffe would throw everything at their last chance of silverware this term and this is what happened.
The early exchanges of the second half belonged to Westcliffe and they went close on several occasions, with one chance held up over the line by some magnificent defending from centre Reece Morris.
With time running out the D's scored a break away try. D's scrum was under pressure so skipper Brian Wren picked up and off loaded to scrum half Peter Evans. Evans threw an audacious dummy and then played an inch perfect pass to fly half Lee Dyer. Dyer then turned on the gas to sprint a full 50m to touch down in the corner to wild celebrations from the D's touchline. Unfortunately Dyer was unable to convert and so with 15minutes left the score stood at 5-0.
D's had a further 3 attempts at goal in the next 10 minutes any one of which could have sealed the win but today was not to be D's day as both goal kickers, usually so reliable, left their boots at home.
This more than anything else inspired Westcliffe and with 5 minutes remaining they broke away to score through their left wing. D's tackling is normally so assured but this time 4 tackles were missed allowing Westcliffe to run in a score just wide of the posts and while D's missed 6 kicks from 6 Westcliffe managed 1 from 1 to seal the win at 7-5.
With the sounding of the final whistle the home support erupted and the D's walked away dejected.
And so the season comes to an end with bitter disappointment in the cup final but there have been so many highs this season that it wont take this defeat long to fade from the memory.
The season has been a long hard slog for the Men from Dagenham which has culminated in a league title, league cup runners up and an appearance in the Essex Junior 2nd XV cup semi final.
The season has been probably the best ever by a Dagenham 2nd team and every one should be proud of their achievements. Next season can't come around quick enough as this team will only get better.
On a personal note, it is with great regret that I am to stand down as skipper of this magnificent bunch of players, but more importantly mates, at the end of this season. We have all put in a massive amount of effort to achieve a fabulous set of results and I can't thank you all enough for the support and effort you have shown me over the last 3 years.
I have loved every minute of being skipper and know you guys will go from strength to strength over the coming seasons and hope you show the same level of commitment to the new Captain next season as you have to me.
Thank you all for making my last year the most memorable of all.
Love Doddsy
Team : Brooks, Taylor (Ketteringham), Simons, Bexfield, Wonderling Acerbis, Davis (T Warwick), Wren , Evans, Dyer, Genovesa, Morris, Blade, I Warwick Wigham.
Subs Not Used : M Smith, Davenport, Knowlden
31-3-07
Dagenham II RUFC ( 58 ) vs. Chelmsford III RFC ( 3 )
Home BL Division 5 League Cup Semi Final
Dagenham Rugby Clubs Second fifteen welcomed Chelmsford to Central Park on Saturday in the semi final of the League Cup looking to continue their march to a potential league and cup double.
The game started well for the visiting Chelmsford side who fielded a much changed side from that which took the field in the 2 league encounters earlier in the season and for the first 20 minutes of the match Chelmsford put more pressure on the D's than they have faced from any opposition at Central Park this season.
The D's put in some fine defensive work making good tackles and turning over ball at the break down when Chelmsford really could have scored. One such turn over saw the first score of the match. With the ball in the D's own 22 the pack stole the ball and set off up field through Lee Dyer, Dyer played a neat pass to Peter Blade who turned in field to set up a ruck some 10m from the line. The quick ball was fed out to Dave Genovesa and the outside centre continued his rich vein of scoring form by diving in to give the D's the lead. Playing into the wind Lee Dyer was unable to convert. 5-0, This was followed by a regulation penalty from the D's to leave the score at 8-0.
This score took the wind out of the visitor's sails. The second would knock the wind out of the visitor's full back after a magnificent run from Jordan Wigham. Wigham collected the ball on half way and set off on a charge along the left wing, having handed off the visitor's outside centre Wigham lined up the full back and smashed through the tackle to continue his run on into the corner. Again the conversion was missed but this left the scores at 13-0.
With the half moving on the D's started to exert themselves on the visitors and were starting to take control as their set piece started to dominate. This momentum allowed the back line to start functioning with great efficiency and the next score came from another free flowing move.
Jack Knowlden playing on the wing took a high kick and ran it straight back at Chelmsford. Moving into midfield he made a neat off load to scrum half Peter Evans who in turn passed to Reece Morris playing at inside centre.
Morris danced around 3 or 4 tackles before charging for the line to be held up no more than 6 inches short. D's skipper Brian Wren piled into the ruck clearing out 2 Chelmsford players before picking up the loose ball and touching down to score. This score was Wrens 33rd of the season and equalled Pat Feeley's club record for tries scored in a season. Again the conversion was missed and the scores now stood at 18-0.
Chelmsford now got their only score of the match following some handling on the floor by the D's. The penalty was duly dispatched to leave the scores at 18-3.
D's were at it again before half time when a neat piece of foot work from scrum half Peter Evans saw him jink in right of the posts to score. Again the D's were unable to convert but this didn't cause much concern as with a 23-3 lead at half time along with the benefit of the elements in the second half the D's where looking to secure a place in the cup final with style in the second half.
With the elements now in their favour the D's took on a Chelmsford side who were rapidly deteriorating following the D's dominance in every department.
First score of the half came from a 5m scrum. The D's had secured the ball nicely and where starting to move toward the goal line when scrum half Evans saw a mass of space wide left and took the ball from the scrum to spread it out to Dave Genovesa who scampered home to score his second of the afternoon. This time Wigham converted with ease and the game was beginning to look like a done deal at 30-3.
The D's have truly improved in every department this season but none more so than in their determination and ruthlessness. The D's were determined to score more tries in the game and the ruthless nature they have engaged this term lead to 4 more.
The first came from a fine run from Fly half Lee Dyer, having moved from near neighbours May & Baker earlier in the season Dyer has been a great asset to the D's and his hard running was duly rewarded with a score under the posts. Wigham was again able to convert and the scores now stood at 37-3.
The visitors had a line out on their own 5m line. With the throw going astray D's skipper Brian Wren pounced on the loose ball and dived over to score his second of the match. This score broke the club record of 33 tries scored in a season to take his tally to 34 and the skipper was truly delighted at the achievement. Jordan Wigham hit a fine conversion to leave the scores at 44-3.
D's rang the changes now introducing Darren Brooks and Luke Taylor into the front row, Tony Wybrow into the 2nd row, Dave Charles into the Back Row and Joe McCullam onto the wing. These changes had little effect on the fluidity of the team though as the D's juggernaut went marching on to a further 2 scores.
First up it was the strong running Jordan Wigham who broke through several more tackles to score a fine try left of the posts. Wigham duly picked himself up and hit a fine conversion to leave the scores at 51-3.
With time running out Dave Genovesa, capping a Man of the Match performance, intercepted a pass on half way and then sprinted clear to score under the posts securing his first hat trick for the club. Again Wigham hit the conversion to leave the final score at 58-3
As the final whistle blew the D's could barely contain their joy. Having lost the Junior Essex Cup semi final earlier in the season this game had an even greater significance for the D's and now what has been a fantastic season for the D's 2nd team could well end up with Cup Glory as well as the D's now look forward to the final on the 14th April.
As always there were some fine individual performances, particularly from Man of the Match Dave Genovesa, Bill Bexfield in the 2nd row, Jordan Wigham at Full back and Lee Dyer at fly half. A little mention should also go to the D's skipper who set a new club record with his 34th try of the season.
So the D's now look forward to a well earned break next weekend as it see's the D's off on tour and once that is out of the way the Cup Final will be upon us. We are looking forward to the 14th April with great anticipation.
Team : Davenport (Brooks), Ketteringham (Taylor), Simons, Bexfield, Wonderling (Wybrow), Acerbis, Davis, Wren (Charles), Evans, Dyer, Genovesa, Morris, Blade, Knowlden (McCullam), Wigham.
24-3-07
Dagenham II RUFC ( 29 ) vs. East London Phantoms II RFC ( 14 )
Away Friendly
Dagenham Rugby Clubs Second fifteen travelled to East London Phantoms on Saturday for the away leg of this friendly fixture looking for the double over the Division 2 side.
Preparation for the match had been marred by no fewer than 8 players unavailable due to either injury or work commitments but this hardly showed as all those boys who got the chance to start the game put in fantastic performances.
Playing with the strong wind in the first half the D's looked to put some early points on the board although as with the previous fixture this was a very evenly fought contest so the early exchanges saw no scores.
D's started to put some phases of play together around 10 minutes in and this lead to the opening score of the game. Having recycled the ball through 4 rucks the D's found themselves some 15m from the line. With the quick ball being secured Skipper Brian Wren, playing in the blindside wing forward role, broke blind and took a pop pass from scrum half Ian Warwick to charge for the line. Wren neatly stepped inside the winger before fending off a strong tackle from Phantoms skipper to score in the corner. Jordan Wigham was unable to convert leaving the score at 5-0.
From the kick off the D's put good pressure on the Home side and went close to extending their lead on several occasions before they did actually extend their lead. Ian Warwick, acting as an auxiliary line out jumper took a neat ball and fed it back for the D's to drive on. With around 15m to go Phantoms piled all their forwards in to stop the drive, unfortunately for them this left a huge hole on the open side and the quick thinking Wren was in for his second try after breaking from the maul unopposed and trotting in to score just right of the posts. This time Wigham was able to convert giving the D's a lead of 12-0.
Again the D's used the elements to gain good field advantage time and again with some neat tactical kicking from Jordan Wigham at fly half, pinning the hosts in their own 22. The next score of the half came from one such kick.
Having pushed the Phantoms into their own 22 with a great kick from Wigham, Peter Blade chased hard and forced his man in to touch. The resulting line out saw the D's break for the line and although the Phantoms held strong the quick recycling of the ball allowed the move to continue. Having set the ball up again on the home sides 5m line the ball found its way to Jordan Wigham who used his bulk to roll over the line to score, unable to convert Wigham's try made the half time score 17-0.
Phantoms would have been hoping for a good start to the 2nd half and that's what they got as some quick running and neat handling saw them make good yards and although the D's defence was working well Phantoms were making good yards. A knock on from the Phantoms gave the ball to the D's on their own 10m line however, some sloppy play at the back of the scrum allowed Phantoms excellent scrum half to nip in and steel the ball. He then raced a full 40m to score under the posts. With the conversion added the game was back in the balance at 17-7.
The Phantoms really started to pressure the D's following their score and could have had another but for some fine cover tackling by Jack Knowlden and Rob Sullivan in the D's back 3.
The next score came against the run of play and this more than anything finally broke the Phantoms spirit as they had a 3 on 1 situation on the D's left wing only for the pass to be spilled forward straight to Wing Peter Blade. Blade collected well and handed off the Phantoms despairing fly half to sprint 60m to touch down in the corner. Against the strong wind Jordan Wigham was unable to convert however the D's now had a commanding lead of 22-7.
The game started to become niggly after this score as the home side were obviously disappointed by the score and they had been coming back into the match and some over zealous rucking and one or two late hits started to make tempers fray. However, the referee took charge of the situation and things started to calm allowing the rugby to continue.
D's next chance was a flowing move involving backs and forwards. Having set the ball well 20m out the D's shifted the ball through Jordan Wigham to Brian Wren wide right. Wren drew his man and popped a nice inside pass to Jack Knowlden who jinked past 2 players before theatrically diving over the line only to drop the ball before touching down. DOH! Needless to say the youngster won the coveted Dickhead of the Match award.
However, D's were not to be denied. Phantoms had a line out 10m from their own line. With Ian Warwick in fine form the youngster disrupted the ball for it to bounce straight down to Luke Taylor. The Hooker made a quick pass to Skipper Brian Wren who crashed through 2 tacklers to complete his hat-trick and score his 32nd try of the season. This time Wigham was able to convert giving the D's a lead of 29-7.
With time running out the Home side threw everything at the D's and came away with a richly deserved consolation try which was converted leaving the final score at 29-14.
With so many changes to the D's side many thought this fixture would have been too tough for the White and Reds but not so. As has been said time and again this club has developed such strength in depth and the 2nd team in particular are so used to winning that what should have been a difficult fixture turned into a comfortable, if hard fought, win.
Special mention should go to Kieran Green who made his 2nd team debut as a late second half sub and also to Neil Powell who has faced real adversity this season but has come through it in style, as we all knew he would.
Other fine performances came from Nick Davenport in the front row who out scrummaged a guy twice his weight (quite literally), Ian Warwick who had another very good game and Jordan Wigham with some fine tactical kicking.
Team : Brooks, Taylor, Davenport, Bexfield, Wonderling, Powell, Wren, Charles, I Warwick, Wigham, Genovesa, Morris, Blade, Sullivan (MacCullam), Knowlden (Green).
17-3-07
Dagenham II RUFC ( 41 ) vs. May & Baker II RFC ( 0 )
Home BL Merit Table Division 5
Dagenham Rugby Clubs Second fifteen signed off their league campaign in real style at Central Park on Saturday with the demolition of near neighbours May & Baker.
Bakers, coming off 3 good wins, arrived in good time and spirit for the fixture and with all the huffing and puffing from their dressing room obviously thought they had a real chance of upsetting the league champions but they were soon to be put in their place by the dominant D's
From the start the D's were expecting a Bakers onslaught and for the first 5 minutes that's what we had, although it didn't take long for the D's to gain control. The first score of the match came through a text book move from the line out.
Lee Acerbis made a great take at the lineout, the forwards poured into form a perfect wedge and the ball found its way to Skipper Brian Wren at the back. With the 10m to the line being made in quick time Wren scored his easiest try of the season. With the wind against the D's in the first half Jordan Wigham was unable to convert. 5-0
The pattern of play continued as Bakers resorted to kicking the ball into the D's half only for it to be run straight back at them. The next score came from one such move. Bakers kicked the ball straight to Wing Perry Lock who ran a full 80m beating three opposition players to score in the corner. This was a magnificent try by the speedster but again Wigham was unable to convert. 10-0
The Bakers boys tried as they might to get some pressure on the D's and one long deep kick almost paid dividends as the ball bounced around on the hard surface confusing covering players. Finally the ball was recovered and popped up to Perry Lock however, the pass was a poor one and allowed May & Baker skipper Jamie Yates to nip in and break for the line. However some fine cover tackling by the D's snuffed out the Bakers only chance of the game.
The ball was turned over by Lock who broke up field with real pace making 50m before off loading to the D's forwards. The ball was recycled well for Wing Forward Tom Warwick to break blind. Lee Acerbis was in support and following a nice off load in the tackle from Warwick Acerbis scampered home from 20m out for his 3rd try of the season. This time Lee Dyer attempted the conversion but the result was the same as the D's took a half time lead of 15-0.
D's had been dragged down to Bakers level in the 1st half and with some stern talking at half time knew that a much better performance was required in the 2nd half and that's exactly what we saw.
Playing down the slope and with the wind in their favour the D's made the elements pay off as they pushed the visitors back at every opportunity and then the far superior D's pack stole the ball at set piece with ease as Bakers scrum was in full reverse mode, this coupled with their misfiring line out made any chance of a Bakers revival a complete misnomer.
The first score of half came from some fine work by the D's forwards at the set piece. Shoving Bakers off their won ball at scrum time, Ian Warwick played a neat pass to Lee Dyer at fly half. The Ex Bakers man made a great break for the line before off loading to centre Jordan Wigham. Wigham in turn fed Dave Genovesa who beat two men before scoring his 9th try of the season under the posts. This time Lee Dyer converted leaving the score at 22-0
Again the D's piled forward in wave after wave of attacks and but for some stout defending by Bakers could have had several more scores however the White and Red tide couldn't be held off for ever and the next score was the pick of the bunch.
A long kick from Bakers saw Jack Knowlden counter attack from deep. His jinking run into midfield allowed the D's forwards to get back on side and his off load to Bill Bexfield allowed the ball to continue up field.
The ball was set up on the 22m line at a ruck and the D's forwards cleared out perfectly allowing a swift pass from Ian Warwick to Jordan Wigham, now in at fly half following the departure of Lee Dyer through injury, Wigham threw a bullet of a miss-pass to outside centre Dave Genovesa, who in one fluid movement shipped the ball on to wing Perry Lock who ran the ball home.
This move was one of perfection and the flagging Bakers could only stand and watch as Wigham hit the regulation conversion to leave the score at 29-0.
Bakers were now in disarray as they started arguing amongst themselves and playing right into the D's hands and Bakers had long since given up any hope of scrummaging against the D's as at every opportunity the opted to go for line outs or tap and go as their set piece had been destroyed.
D's were on the score sheet again with 10 minutes remaining as Perry Lock scored his third try of the match with some more fast foot work and great stepping to score in the corner. This time Wigham was unable to convert and the scores stood at 34-0.
Their was one last hurrah from the new BL Division 5 Champions as a scrum 10m from the Bakers line was awarded to D's. D's put in a full on 8 man shove and Bakers took their, by now, customary reverse gear mode and with the line closing in fast D's Skipper Brian Wren picked up the ball and dived over for an easy score, Wigham duly converted the score to leave the final score at 41-0.
The final score of 41-0 doesn't really reflect the dominance of the D's as they outplayed Bakers in every department.
Bakers are renowned throughout Essex as a big physical side who bully their opposition but they were nowhere near the same level as an entirely dominant D's pack that shoved their opposite numbers backward with ease. The D's backline at times looked like they were running through a training session as Bakers ended up chasing shadows.
So after 7 months of hard slog the D's finished the League campaign having lost only twice all year and take their rightful place as Champions.
The season has been punctuated by numerous outstanding individual performances all of whom must be candidates for the Player of the Year award.
While the whole team has been magnificent this year special mention should go to: Tony "Irving" Simons who has been a rock all season.
Tony "Buster" West who having retired 2 seasons ago was bullied into playing this year and has been magnificent.
John Wonderling in the second row who doesn't get the plaudits he deserves but has been a main stay of the team all season.
Lee Acerbis who has played some of his best rugby in years in his final season.
Bill Davis, a super star in the making
Dave Genovesa and Reece Morris in the centres have been quite literally inseparable both on and off the field; and finally
Ian Warwick who has taken the second half of the season by storm and has made the difference time and again.
These are but a few of the stand out performers of the year but ALL of the players who have pulled on the 2nd team shirt this year have played a major part in securing the league title we so desperately wanted.
Now with the season drawing to a close we have the little matter of the league cup to play for with the semi final taking place on the 31.03.07. So come on Boys lets do the Double!!!!!!!!!!!
Team : Simons(Brooks), Ketteringham (Taylor), Davenport, Bexfield (Meggs), Wonderling, Acerbis, T Warwick, Wren, I Warwick, Dyer (Knowlden), Wigham, Genovesa, Lock, Blade, Smith
10-3-07
Dagenham II RUFC ( 31 ) vs. East London II RFC ( 22 )
Home Friendly
Dagenham Rugby Clubs Second fifteen welcomed East London Phantoms to central park on Saturday in what looked to be a very tough fixture against a side some 3 divisions above them in the BL Merit Table structure and that’s exactly what it turned out to be.
Fielding a side with several 3rd team players the D’s were looking for a sound performance rather than a barnstorming win this week but as has been proven time and again this season the strides the club has made with its development of young talent again came to the fore as the new recruits slotted into the side without any ill effect on the performance levels.
The visitors made the early running with their outstanding scrum half and full back making a number of penetrating runs which set up the first score of the game. Taking a high kick on the full inside his own half the Phantoms fullback charged the length of the field with blistering pace beating several woeful tackles to give them a score under the posts with the conversion slotted hitting the post the score stood at 5-0.
This early score rallied the D’s and allowed them to put some pressure on the visitors. Some good work in midfield and some fine play by the forwards saw the home team edge closure to the line and 5m out the Phantoms scrum half was a little over eager and was penalised for being off side.
D’s skipper Brian Wren took a quick tap penalty and charged over to score his first of the day. Lee Dyer stepped up and slotted the conversion to give the D’s a lead of 7-5.
Next on the score sheet was East London. From the kick off the Phantoms attacked the bouncing ball and secured turn over which was shipped through hands before a fine tackle from Ian Warwick thwarted the attack. However, the Phantoms quickly recycled the ball allowing their influential fly half to hit a perfectly weighted kick into the corner. D’s wing and full back got into a terrible muddle as neither made a decisive attempt to secure the ball and the Phantoms wing raced onto the ball to score in the corner. Again they were unlucky with the conversion and so the lead changed hands again 10-7.
The see-saw battle of the first half continued as the D’s now took their turn to pressurise the visitors. Some good running by the D’s back row saw the ball moved up field with great precision and with the ball about to be shifted wide from the 11th phase of play the Phantoms scrum half again dived in from the side to give a penalty away on the five metre line.
Again Wren took a quick tap, and although the Phantoms were ready for it this time there was no way of stopping the D’s skipper as he crashed over again. 12-10 this time Dyer was unable to convert and the game was back in the balance.
Although the Phantoms had some good chances in the remainder of the half it was the D’s who would have the last laugh of the first half as Lee Dyer made the most of some quick ball at the break down to score a fine try under the posts. He duly picked himself up to convert and the half time score read 19-10 to the D’s.
The second half started in much the same vein as the first as the Phantoms came blasting out of the blocks but some great defending by the D’s saw their chances go begging until a magnificent break from their scrum half saw him scamper a full 50m to score in the corner, this time the Phantoms were able to convert and the score was bought to within 2 points at 19-17 to the D’s.
The D’s started to get the upper hand as the game progressed and after some keenly fought set pieces the D’s managed to break loose. A neat break from the base of a ruck up the blind side allowed Skipper Wren to make 20 meters before off loading to Lee Acerbis in support.
Acerbis darted for the line but was caught short and the D’s piled in to secure the ruck. With 10m to go the ball was recycled nicely for Lee Dyer to pop the ball up to the on rushing Brian Wren who crashed through 3 Phantoms defenders to score his third try of the game, Dyer missed the conversion and the lead was extended to 24-17.
This contest could still have gone either way as both sides had chances and but for some great defending by both sides and also some fine interception work there could have been several more tries for both sides.
The killer blow came with around 15m left as Dave Genovesa chased a neat kick from Dyer which popped up nicely off the firm surface to allow the centre to run in the try under the posts, Dyer stepped up and slotted the regulation conversion to leave the scores at 31-17.
However the Phantoms were still not beaten as they turned defence into attack with a quickly taken 22m drop out which was kicked the length of the field. D’s full back, Jack Knowlden chased back 50m and just beat his opposite man to the ball kicking it dead on the D’s 5m line.
East London secured the ball at the line out and although the drive was halted some great work by their scrum half allowed him to jink in and score his second of the game. Again the conversion was missed and the scoring and the game were over with a final score of 31-22 in favour of a jubilant Dagenham.
Although East London Phantoms haven’t had the best of seasons this was still a real step up in class for the D’s. This coupled with the fact that there were a number of regulars missing made this a performance to be proud of.
We would like to thank East London for the fixture and congratulate them on a fine match. They are a great bunch of lads who really entered into the spirit of things and we look forward to playing them again soon.
As I say week in week out there were a number of stand out performances this week. Prop Nick Davenport, who has spent most of the season on the bench without so much as a mention of discord put in a terrific performance. John Wonderling added some real steel to the pack and put in a great performance, he was sorely missed last week, Ian Warwick had another great game. Dave “Emlyn” Charles had a great game playing out of position at Number 8 and Genovesa made another impressive performance at outside centre. Small mentioned should also go to Captain Brian Wren who, playing at blind side wing forward scored his 3rd hat-trick of the season.
Next weekend see’s the completion of the BL Merit Table league campaign for the D’s with the visit of neighbours May & Baker. While the D’s are riding high at the top of the table and May & Baker are languishing at the foot, every one who has been connected with the two clubs is aware of the rivalry and we are sure that we will be able to welcome a decidedly stronger team to Central Park than the B’s can normally muster. With the threat of relegation for M&B should they lose this match it should be an intriguing encounter.
Team : Simons(Brooks), Ketteringham, Davenport, Bexfield (Wybrow), Wonderling, Acerbis, Wren, Charles, I Warwick, Dyer, Gunner, Genovesa, Sullivan, McCullam, Knowlden
Subs Not Used – Kieran Green
3-3-07
Dagenham II RUFC ( 3 ) vs. Westcliffe III RFC ( 31 )
Away BL Merit Table Division 5
Dagenham Rugby Clubs Second fifteen made the trip to Westcliffe on Saturday in the full knowledge that they would face a team made up of mainly second team players.
Following a dismal start to the season Westcliffe decided to withdraw their 2nd XV from the BL Merit Structure and use those players, who had started the season playing Division 1 rugby, to strengthen their 3rd and 4th teams , who play in Divisions 5 and 8 respectively.
The game wasn’t quite as one sided as the score suggests although it was a relative stroll for the Home side after they had notched two early scores through their very well drilled back line.
It must give Westcliffe great satisfaction to know that the players they have spent so long nurturing in their development schemes are now playing 3 or 4 divisions below their capabilities and that they are winning again, albeit against weaker opposition.
This Dagenham team have been more than a match for every genuine team they have played this season but they can not be castigated for losing to a superior team.
While the D’s didn’t play particularly well and with 5 players missing they may have made more of a contest, they were beaten by the better team.
No doubt some of you are shouting “Sour Grapes!” at your PC and to be honest your right. However, we can honestly say that we have never put out a side in the knowledge that they are far too strong for the opposition particularly in a competition fixture.
So congratulations to a team who played very well on the day, however, no grace can be gained from cheating and unfortunately that’s what we have seen. Lets hope the BL Merit Table do not allow this to happen again, however the fact that we are talking about a senior essex side means they are unlikely to do anything about it.
One bright spot from the day was the performance of Ian Warwick. My god this boy is a fantastic player and could be destined for great things!!!!!
Team : Simons, Taylor (Ketteringham), West (Davenport), Bexfield, T Warwick Acerbis, Wren (Meggs), Evans, Wigham, I Warwick, Morris, Genovesa, Sullivan, Knowlden
24-2-07
Dagenham II RUFC ( 53 ) vs. Burnham II RFC ( 0 )
Away BL Merit Table Division 5
Dagenham Rugby Clubs Second fifteen made the trip to Burnham on Crouch on Saturday looking for the win that would finally secure the coveted league title and the boys from Central Park bought home the silverware in real style.
With the return of scrum half Peter Evans the D’s were able to field arguably its strongest side, which has been a rarity this year due to the catalogue of 1st team injuries, and it showed with a performance of drive and ambition coupled with no small measure of skill and flair.
The conditions at Burnham were atrocious due to the persistent rainfall over the last few weeks and the pitch resembled more of a bog than a pitch, but this didn’t deter the D’s in their quest for the title.
The early exchanges where very one sided and the D’s had plenty of opportunities to score but some poor handling and lacklustre passing meant chances went begging. The first score of the match came from a very well worked backline move after some good retention of the ball by the forwards. The ball was shipped through several pairs of hands for outside centre Dave Genovesa to scamper home for his 1st try of the day. Jordan Wigham stepped up to hit a fine conversion to give the D’s a lead of 7-0.
This score allowed the nerves to settle and the D’s to get into their stride as the next score came very sooner after the first. Again the forwards secured good ball for the backline to advance and Fly Half Lee Dyer stepped neatly to dive over in the corner for his first score of the game, Again Wigham hit a fine conversion to leave the scores at 14-0.
The home side now made their first venture into D’s half and looked to be building some good pressure until a knock on, on the D’s 22m line gave the ball back to the D’s. From the resulting scrum number 8 Brian Wren broke down the blind side fending off his opposite number, a neat pass out to Dyer allowed the speedster to step on the gas and from 70m out he had the pace to beat the opposition to score in the corner. This time Wigham couldn’t convert but at 19-0 the D’s were cruising.
Next on the score sheet was Skipper Brian Wren. After some more good work by the D’s forwards the ball was recycled from Dyer to Wren who, breaking down the blindside, ran in his first try of the game from around 15m out. Wigham was again unable to convert leaving the scores at 24-0.
The D’s had several other chances to score in this half although some resolute defending by Burnham saw the score stay at 24-0 for half time.
With a nice lead in the bag and things looking good the D’s decided to ring the changes in the 2nd half introducing Bill Bexfield on his return from injury, Nick Davenport to the front row, Joe Macullam on the wing and Dave Meggs into the second row.
The first score of the half fell to the inform Genovesa as a quick break by Wren from the base of the scrum saw him held up just inches short, the ball was quickly recycled and spread wide for Genovesa to go over left of the posts. There was some contention as to whether the ball was actually grounded but the referee was happy to award the score and the D’s took a 29-0 lead following the missed conversion.
The pressure started to mount again from the D’s as good phases of play were interspersed with some magnificent individual moments however the next score was a case for brute force only.
The D’s were awarded a 5m scrum following the referees decision to disallow what appeared to be a perfectly good try from Reece Morris. The scrum was taken cleanly and 8 Brian Wren picked up and smashed his way over for his 23rd try of the season and although Wigham again missed the conversion, it should be noted that the wind and rain where blowing a merry gale by this time so no blame can be apportioned to the vice captain, with the scores at 34-0 the game was a good as over.
However, one of the main reasons the D’s have been such a force this season is their new ruthless streak and they were not to settle for 6 tries. Next up Jordan Wigham scored a fine solo try. Wigham had been running hard from full back all day and using his bulk to good effect with some fine hand off’s. This time he took the ball on the opposition 22m line and took on 4 defenders and the post before touching down. He duly slotted the conversion and the lead was extended to 41-0.
Next on the score sheet was Reece Morris. After some good handling in midfield the ball was passed short to Brian Wren. Wren drew in two tacklers before off loading basket ball style to Morris who raced over from 10m out to make the score 46-0.
With time running out the D’s were awarded a penalty 5m from the home sides line. Evans, returning at scrum half fooled not only the opposition but also his own captain when he dummied him to pop the ball to Tony “Irving” Simon for the big prop to dive over to score his first of the season. The celebration was superb as the big man made a pose worthy of a world cup winning try for the invisible paparazzi behind the goal line!
So with the conversion missed the D’s jubilation was immense as the final whistle sounded and the league title was finally confirmed as coming to Central Park.
While there were some great performances on the day, the best performance of the season has been performed by the one person who missed the celebrations. However, every man standing in the white and red jersey was more than aware that we owe everything to our coach Peter McMullan-Bell. McMullan-Bell took a team of no hopers 3 seasons ago and has turned the same team into league champions, following an earlier promotion.
Everyone who is a part of the Dagenham 2nd team would like to thank Peter for his hard work and the fact he has never given up on his attitude and passion for his team, which in turn has allowed this team to become a fantastic place to play rugby.
Team : Simons, Ketteringham, West (Davenport), Pearce, Wonderling (Meggs), Davis (Bexfield) Acerbis, Wren, Evans, Dyer, M Smith (MacCullam), Morris, Genovesa, Sullivan, Wigham
17-2-07
Dagenham RUFC 2nd XV (29) vs Southend 4th XV (0)
Home Friendly
Dagenhams 2nd XV welcomed Southend 4ths to central park on Saturday having not played for the last 4 weeks due to repetitive cry offs from opposition, looking for a win ahead of next weekends all important league fixture away to Burnham.
The D's started the game at a good tempo and could have had a number of scores in the opening ten minutes only for some poor handling and decision making to thwart their advance.
The fact that the D's had not played for such a long period of time meant they looked rusty in the opening 20minutes and although they completely dominated their opposition couldn't turn the dominance into points until skipper Brian Wren opened the scoring.
A neat pick and drive from wing forward Tom Warwick saw the ball popped out to scrum half Ian Warwick who darted for the line. Warwick the younger was held up short and Wren piled in to rip the ball from the clutches of two would be defenders and then to the twist and turn through two further attempted tackles to touch down in the corner, Jordan Wigham was unlucky with the conversion and the D's held a well deserved lead of 5-0.
The D's pressure continued from the kick off and some good running from the back line allowed the ball to move up field with great fluidity. The interchange between forwards and backs that has been a real focal point of the D's season started to take shape and the next score was inevitable as a fine passing move was neatly finished by young full back Jack Knowlden, again Wigham was unable to convert leaving the score at 10-0.
With the half coming to a close the D's had several other chances to extend the lead but couldn't find the killer touch to finish off the moves. Half Time 10-0
The second half started much the same as the first for the D's with pressure mounting without any real cutting edge until a fine move up field by Dave Genovesa from outside centre saw him stepping left and right turning defenders inside out before shipping the ball wide for the on rushing Ian Warwick. Again Warwick was tackled near the line and as several D's forwards piled in debutant Jack Pearce dived over for his first try for the D's. This time Wigham was up to the task and the conversion gave the D's a lead of 17-0.
The D's continued to pressurise the visitors throughout the half but the boys from Southend now had their best passage of play with several foray's into the D's 22. One such incursion lead to a penalty 5m from the D's goal line. Southend's outstanding number 8 took a quick tap penalty but was crunched by the front row double team of Tony "Irving" Simon and John Ketteringham and with Brian Wren on hand to turn the ball over the opportunity was snuffed out as the ball was cleared to touch.
The D's now upped the ante again and were soon back on the score sheet. Lee Dyer playing at inside centre took the ball at pace and made good yards before off loading to Lee Acerbis in support who in turn drew his man before popping the ball out to Ian Warwick who raced through several tackles to score under the posts. Wigham again dispatched the conversion to give the D's a lead of 24-0.
With time running out the D's were awarded a scrum some 25m from goal. The scrum wheeled left opening up the blind side and with Southend's blindside wing forward completely unaware D's skipper and number 8 Brian Wren took his chance.
Wren broke up the blindside fending off the tackle of his opposite number before crashing through Southends left wing to score his 21st try of the season. Although it should be noted that had he not scored there would have been hell to pay as Wren had 3supporting players clear on his inside. Wigham missed the conversion leaving the final score at 29-0.
So the D's take an encouraging if not perfect performance from the fixture having scored 5 tries in the process. Some stand out performances came from Ian Warwick at scrum half along with the front row trio of Tony Simon, John Ketteringham and Nick Davenport, Jack Pearce making his debut in the second row and Dave Genovesa had another solid game in the centre.
Next week see's the D's travel to Burnham on Crouch looking for the win that will seal the league title for Dagenham second string. Bring it on!!!!
Team: Davenport, Taylor (Ketteringham), Simon, Wonderling (Meggs), Pearce, Acerbis,
T Warwick, Wren (Capt), I Warwick, Wigham, Dyer, Genovesa, Sullivan, Smith (Gunnar), Knowlden
13-1-07
Dagenham II RUFC ( 5 ) vs. Ilford II RFC ( 30 )
Away John Adler Cup Semi Final
Dagenham Rugby Clubs Second fifteen’s 15 game unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday in the semi-final of the John Adler Cup. Travelling to Ilford Wanderers to play a team some 3 divisions above the D’s was always going to be an uphill task for the men from Central Park, however, the game was more evenly matched than the score line suggests.
Starting uphill the D’s looked nervous during the early exchanges of the match and made several unforced errors that allowed the home side to put some heavy pressure on the D’s line. Ilford are renowned for their rolling maul tactics and the D’s had to put in an enormous amount of work around the pitch to stop this very effective driving game.
The home side opened the scoring following some very hard work from their pack which saw their outstanding South African blind side wing forward dive over from a rolling maul. This score was unconverted leaving the score at 5-0.
From the kick off some more indecision from the D’s allowed the home side good field position and a second driving rolling maul looked likely to return their second score. However, D’s skipper Brian Wren pulled the maul down and the resulting penalty also saw him yellow carded.
Ilford were looking to pressurise the men from Dagenham during the 10 minute sojourn of their captain, however some good disrupting by Bill Bexfield allowed the ball to be hacked up field.
Full back Mark Smith chased hard and again kicked the ball across field for scrum half Lee Dyer to continue the chase. The conditions weren’t great but everyone expected the Ilford full back to secure the loose ball and clear his lines, however, he inexplicably missed the ball and Dyer pounced to score his first try for the D’s, the missed conversion left the scores at 5-5.
With the reintroduction of Wren the D’s started to exert some pressure on the home side and wasted several opportunities to score through poor hands and decision making and also some good defence by Ilford.
With time running out in the first half the D’s had the chance to take the lead, when a 5m scrum wheeled allowing Brian Wren to pick up from the base of the scrum. Wren charged through 2 attempted tackles to touch down only for the referee to have adjudged an accidental off side for running into his own player.
This was one of many dubious refereeing decisions in the match all of which seemed to go against the underdogs, including numerous late tackles, off sides, feeding at the scrum, failure to play the ball through the mark correctly and handling on the floor, all of which went unpunished when perpetrated by Ilford.
With the scores level at half time 5-5 it was all to play for in the second half.
The second period started brightly for the D’s who continued making good ground and but for some poor handling they looked likely to score first.
However, the loss of Bill Davis through injury in the opening minutes of the second half was a hammer blow to the D’s as they were already without influential flanker Lee Acerbis this meant they now had only one recognised flanker on the pitch.
This allowed the Ilford number 7 to concentrate on his own game rather than competing with Davis, who had more than matched his man in the first 40 minutes. This injury more than any other moment in the match was the D’s undoing and the home sides back row now had the upper hand and they used it to full effect.
Ilford next two foray’s into the D’s 22 resulted in penalties which where duly dispatched by the home sides no.10 to give them a lead of 11-5 and although Ilford edged the game from here on in the D’s hung on until 10 minutes to go.
Frustration was creeping into the match with the D’s allowing some cheep shots from Ilford and the customary sledging and barracking to disrupt their concentration. This coupled with numerous harsh decisions from the referee saw the D’s fall apart in the last 10minutes.
First to score was Ilford no.7 as he took a 5m tap penalty, which didn’t go through the mark or leave his hands (an offence), to crash over to score, the conversion left the score at 18-5.
Next to score was the Ilford no.6, who again took a 5m tap penalty to score right of the posts again converting to leave the score at 25-5.
With time running out and the deflated D’s in disarray the home sides 7 again run in an easy score to give the home side flattering 30-5 victory.
So the D’s cup run and 15 game unbeaten run came to an end to a side who while worthy winners must have realised the score was some-what flattering.
Unfortunately it appears the occasion got to some of the D’s players and this coupled with some poor discipline and some would suggest selection saw them fail to perform to anywhere near their potential.
Frustration at perceived foul play from the home side and inconsistent refereeing in the main caused the normally fluid and confident D’s to lose sight of the real objective and therefore the game was lost.
Going out to a side 3 divisions above them, (who where packed with South African’s who it can only be assumed are ineligible to play for their 1st 15), is no disgrace to the D’s and the fact the match was a real contest for 70 minutes shows just how far they have come again this season.
The home teams main advantage over the D’s was the combination of 6 & 7 who, following the departure of Bill Davis, tore the D’s to shred’s.
But all is not lost as the D’s look to finally secure the league title which has been their main priority this season over the coming weeks.
Special mention goes to some fine individual efforts by Tony “Irving” Simons who was again immense, Man of the Match Bill Bexfield and Lee Dyer who work tirelessly at scrum half.
Team : Simons, Taylor, West, Bexfield, Wonderling, Davis (Meggs), T Warwick, Wren (Capt.) (Davenport) Dyer, Wigham, Blade (MacCullam), Morris, Genovesa, Feeley, Smith (Knowlden)
Subs not Used: I Warwick
6-1-07
Dagenham II RUFC ( 50 ) vs. Chelmsford III RFC ( 5 )
Away BL Merit Table Division 5
Dagenham Rugby Clubs Second fifteen were on the road again this weekend with the trip to Chelmsford looking to keep the momentum going which saw them lose only once in the first half of the season.
In atrocious conditions the D’s mean machine rolled into town looking for a win which would strengthen their lead at the top of BL Division 5 and give them a good platform to take into next weeks cup semi-final and that’s exactly what they did.
In driving rain, playing on a pitch more akin to a hill than a rugby pitch and in several inches of mud the game got underway. Playing up hill the D’s knew the first half would be an evenly fought battle and it proved so as the early exchanges saw lots of kicking from hand by both sides.
D’s took some time getting out of the blocks allowing the home side the opportunity to turn over ball by failing to get adequate numbers to the ruck situations, this allowed Chelmsford the opportunity to gain good ground and field position. This lead to the first score of the match.
Chelmsford used a pick and drive to good effect gaining several yards each time they drove forward to eventually score right of the posts after around 20minutes. With the missed conversion the home side took a deserved lead at 5-0.
This score galvanised the league leaders and they started to put together good phases of play that allowed them to inch up the steep slope.
Good breaks by Reece Morris from the centre, Lee Dyer at scrum half and Jordan Wigham from flyhalf saw the D’s pressurise the home side without finding that killer touch until one such break saw in form Bill Davis crash over to level the scores. Jordan Wigham stepped up for the conversion, which missed the target leaving the score at 5-5.
With half time approaching the D’s started to really exert themselves on the home side with Tony Simons going close and several other attempts being held up short before Big Bill Bexfield put the D’s in front.
Having been promoted to the 2’ earlier in the season Bexfield has taken his chance in the side and made the position of lock his own with some stirring performances. This weekend was no different as his tireless work in the set piece and running in the loose was rewarded with his first try for the 2nd team.
Having secured good ruck ball Bexfield charged up the blind side to take the ball some 15m from the line. With pace and power Bexfield took several would be tacklers head on and smashed his way over for a magnificent score, again Wigham was unsuccessful with the kick leaving the D’s leading at half time by 10-5.
The second half was going to be a very different story however, with the conditions now in the D’s favour and the slope to boot it was time to put on a try feast and it started from the kick off. Again the D’s put in good work around the pitch securing good clean line out and scrums, with the returning Luke Taylor again stealing ball against the head time after time, which allowed the backs the freedom to shift the ball around the park.
The first score of the second half came from wing forward Bill Davis. Davis is having an impressive season this year and scored another good try, his 6th of the season, to open up a lead which was never going to be caught. This time Wigham found his range 17-5.
The D’s juggernaut really went into overdrive now with the backs and forwards moving as one fluid tide which the Home side could not cope with. The next score came from Man of the Match Tom Warwick after some fine work by the forwards. Warwick made tackle after tackle all day and turned over ball at leisure with his powerful hitting and his efforts were rewarded after he brushed past two opposition players to score. Wigham again stepped up and slotted the conversion giving the D’s a lead of 24-5.
Next on the score sheet was Jordan Wigham. Wigham has played out of position for most of the season and is gradually moulding himself into a tidy outside half. Again some good interchange between backs and forwards allowed the ball to be shipped around the pitch. The home side had no answer to the pace and movement of the D’s and Wigham waltzed through the leaky defence to score. To add insult to injury he duly slotted the conversion to leave the score at 31-5.
It was now the turn of Aaron Feeley to score his first try for the D’s 2nd XV. Feeley has been a great addition to the squad this season and has fitted into whatever position he has been given with ease and this score was just deserts for his efforts so far. After some neat passing along the line the wing took on his man and beat him for pace with ease. With the covering tacklers coming across field he also had the presence of mind to use the conditions and slide in from around 5m out to score. With the conversion added the scores now stood at 38-5.
D’s coach Peter McMullan-Bell now decided to ring the changes with Nick Davenport replacing Tony West in the front row, Ian Warwick replacing Rob Sullivan on the wing and Brian Wren replacing Bill Bexfield in the second row.
These changes didn’t weaken the side though as the relentless onslaught continued. Having been on the field for around 5 minutes it was the turn of Brian Wren to add to his 18 tries this season with his customary flop over from 5m to make it 19. Wigham again converted to leave the scores at 45-5.
With time running out and the light starting to fade the D’s made one last break for the line which allowed another first of the season for young full back Jack Knowlden. Knowlden joined the line magnificently to score right of the posts and although Wigham couldn’t add the conversion the scores finished at an impressive 50-5 victory for the D’s.
Again the D’s side were full of marvellous performances with special mention to Tony West who played through the pain barrier for his team, along with fine individual performances from Tom Warwick, Lee Acerbis, John Wonderling, Lee Dyer, Dave Gennovesa and Reece Morris capping a superb TEAM performance.
So with only 4 league games to play, the chasing pack only have 3, Dagenham Rugby Clubs 2nd XV took another giant step toward their goal of the coveted league title having opened up a 10 point lead at the top of the table.
The D’s continue their drive toward a league and cup double next weekend with the very difficult trip to Ilford Wanderers in the Semi-Final of the John Adler Cup.
Wanderers are 3 divisions above the D’s and have been beaten finalists in this competition over the last 3 seasons so they will enter the game as clear favourites. The D’s have already acquitted themselves well in this competition and enter the game with no pressure as they have nothing lose against the supposedly superior Ilford team.
Team : Simons, Taylor, West (Davenport) Bexfield (Wren), Wonderling, Davis, Acerbis, T Warwick, Dyer, Wigham (Capt.), Sullivan (I Warwick), Morris, Genovesa, Feeley, Knowlden (Blade), Knowlden.
16-12-06
Dagenham II RUFC ( 23 ) vs. Westcliff III RFC ( 17 )
Home BL Merit Table Division 5
Top of the Table Dagenham Rugby Clubs Second fifteen welcomed second placed Westcliff to Central Park on Saturday in the hotly anticipated show down of the heavy weights in BL Div 5.
Having lost several key players to injury and unavailability again the D’s showed what strength in depth the club is generating as three players were drafted into the squad at the last minute.
These fixtures have been very evenly contested over the last 3 years and this was to be no different as the opening exchanges where contested with great vigour.
The first 20 minutes were scoreless although both sides created chances the defences stood firm but it was Westcliff’s, who had probably had the better of the exchanges, constant infringements that lead to a penalty some 15m from the posts allowing Jordan Wigham to open the scoring. 3-0
The game ebbed and flowed yet again and Westcliff had the next chance with a penalty although this was hooked horribly from almost in front of the posts.
The D’s took this as a warning and made ground up field almost immediately. Again Westcliff couldn’t resist putting hands on the ball when on the ground and the resulting penalty allowed Wigham to smash the ball a full 45m to give the home side a 6-0 lead.
With time running out in the half Westcliff launched an attack. Following some good mauling they broke loose, with only 10m to go Bill Davis made an outstanding tackle and, like a flash was back on his feet and stealing the ball only to be harshly adjudged as playing the ball on the ground.
The resulting penalty saw some woeful tackling from the D’s as Westcliff centre waltzed through several non-tackles to score under the posts. However, today wasn’t to be Westcliff’s kickers day as he shanked the kick left of the posts from 15m dead centre. However, it was game on again as the half ended 6-5 to the D’s.
The second half started magnificently for the D’s. A long kick off from Wigham was chased hard by Bill Davis and Bill Bexford. Bexford got there first and floored his man with a massive tackle that allowed the D’s forwards to pile into the ruck.
Westcliff managed to secure the ball and passed back to their fly half. Lee Acerbis chased his man down and hurried him in to a quick clearance that smashed into the flankers outstretched arms.
Bill Davis, playing quite possibly his greatest match for the D’s, was first to react as he dived on the loose ball to touch down for the D’s first try of the day. Wigham stepped up and slotted a simple conversion with his trusty right boot to give the league leaders a lead of 13-5.
Westcliff responded in true fashion when a quickly taken penalty, taken some 5m from the referees mark, was allowed to progress and again the D’s let themselves down with some poor tackling and Westcliff took full advantage to score wide right of the posts, however, their lack of a goal kicker saw the conversion missed and the D’s lead cut to 13-10
Again Westcliff came flying back at the D’s but it was the D’s who made the next score when a penalty was award for some more foul play by the visitors. Wigham stepped up and with confidence hit the ball as sweetly as possible from the half way line to give the D’s a lead of 16-10
The second half was becoming a real ding dong affair as both sides tried to break the deadlock and but for two absolutely first class tackles, firstly from Lee Dyer, recently signed from local rivals May & Baker, who tackled his man in the act of touching down and turned him so the ball wasn’t touched down and the second, a carbon copy of the first, by Peter Blade saw the D’s hang on to their slender lead.
However, Westcliff’s pressure was becoming incessant as they piled forward time and again in an effort to take the lead for the first time in the match. This pressure finally paid off when the D’s where shunted backwards on a 5m scrum which allowed the Westcliff pack to score a push over try. Westcliffs kicker finally came to the party to convert and put the visitors in a deserved lead at 17-16.
However, as we are all aware this D’s team doesn’t know when its beaten and with only 7 minutes left decided to throw the kitchen sink at the visitors.
Now it was Westcliffs turn to be on the rack as the D’s piled in to every situation in an effort to get that last score to win the game. Bill Davis, who was without doubt the best player on the pitch made tackle after tackle and turnover after turnover to secure his team the ball and while the pressure mounted it didn’t look like paying off until the visitors had a line out on their own 5m line.
Davis leapt like a salmon to disrupt the line out and the flapping hands of Westcliff’s line out jumper saw the ball bounce kindly for hooker Reece Morris who pounced to score in the corner. The watching crowd and players alike erupted as there was only 1minute of time left on the clock.
With the score at 21-17 Wigham stepped up and hit a superb conversion that sailed through the middle of the posts to extend the lead to 23-17.
Westcliff kicked off straight to Lee Dyer, who smashed the ball directly into touch. The final whistle was sounded and the D’s jubilation uncontrolled as what could have been a table topping tie between the two sides at the Christmas break turned into an 8 point lead for the D’s over their nearest rivals.
Again while the performance wasn’t the best, in honesty Westcliff deserved more, the determination and never say die attitude of this team shone through with quite possibly the most important win of the season for an under strength Dagenham team.
Although the whole team put in an enormous amount of work, the game was won mainly due to the efforts of two men, Man of the Match Bill Davis whose work rate, tackle rate, ball carrying and line out work was as good as you will see from any player wearing a Dagenham shirt, and yes that includes all of our first team players, and Jordan Wigham who had a faultless game with the boot from hand and ground.
So Dagenham Rugby Clubs 2nd XV finish 2006 topping the BL Merit Table Division 5 and looking forward to a John Adler Cup semi-final, having been beaten only once in all fixtures, that being an opening day defeat at the hands of a very strong Old Brentwood’s team.
With the right application and more effort on the training field good things await this team in 2007 and I for one can’t wait.
From all at Dagenham Rugby Clubs 2nd XV. Have a very good Christmas and we look forward to a successful White and Red New Year!
Team : Simons, Morris, West (Davenport) Bexfield, Wonderling, T Warwick (Wren), Davis, Acerbis, Dyer, Wigham, Sullivan, Feeley, Genovesa, MacCullam (Blade), Knowlden.
2-12-06
Dagenham II RUFC ( 12 ) vs Bancroft II RFC ( 7 )
Away John Adler Cup ¼ Final
Dagenham Rugby Clubs Second fifteen ventured into uncharted territory on Saturday making their first appearance in the John Adler Cup ¼ Finals for 4 seasons with the trip to inform Bancroft.
Bancroft are currently siting pretty at the top of BL Merit Div 4 while the D’s currently hold the same position in Div 5 so this game was to be a good indicator of how far the D’s have come in the last few seasons and would also show if they really had the metal to mix it with teams from higher divisions. What a performance they were to provide.
Bancroft started the game by chasing the long kick off that was knocked on by the D’s. The resulting scrum saw Bancroft secure good ball and move it into midfield and although the first attempt was thwarted some lack lustre play at the ruck, particularly from Captain Brian Wren, allowed Bancroft’s inside centre to race through unopposed to score in the first minute. With the conversion slotted with ease the D’s found themselves down 7-0 and still with 79 minutes to play!
However, as has been said time and again this season the D’s are made of sterner stuff, although this season more than any other the unit believes in itself and so no one allowed their heads to drop. The early exchanges saw some good pressure from both sides although some erratic referring decisions soon caused tempers to fray.
After around 20minutes Bancroft’s hooker was yellow carded for a blatant stamp and with the one man advantage the D’s upped the ante and took their chances.
In recent weeks the D’s pack has been dominating opposition sides but this week they needed to dig in early and then start to dominate and that is exactly what happened. For a full 10 minutes the D’s battered the Bancroft line only for good defence and poor decisions meaning they couldn’t cross the line, but the Home side couldn’t hold out for ever.
A surging run by Bill Bexfield saw him held up some 5m from the line. The D’s forwards piled in to secure the ball which saw some neat hands from the D’s backs to allow Wing Peter Blade to crash over in the corner and although Jordan Wigham was unlucky with the conversion the D’s tails were well and truly up.
Time and again the D’s put pressure on the home team and some magnificent scrummaging saw the home sides pack in reverse mode and although Bancroft managed to clear their lines some good hard running from the D’s back line penned them back.
With Bancroft under pressure and throwing in at the line on their own 5m line they needed to be accurate. The throw in sailed clear of its intended man into the hands of D’s Skipper Brian Wren, who, looking to make amends for his earlier error, charged at the line. Held up short the ball was fed back quickly for wing forward Tom Warwick to dive over and score. Wigham stepped up to convert and the D’s went in at half time 12-7 up.
Unfortunately the second half descended into a real battle in every sense of the word with some foul play punctuated by more foul play from both sides, and with the appallingly substandard referee the game really threaten to boil over.
D’s wing forward Bill Davis was yellow carded with 15minutes to go following some pushing and shoving and the home team saw their opportunity to nick the tie and threw everything they had at the D’s line.
Every player in the D’s side needed to make a big hit during this period and to a man they stepped up to the plate and made tackle after tackle in what turned out to be a desperate 10 minute period while Davis was off the field.
Bancroft really tried to turn up the heat during this period but again the D’s line held firm and but for a single missed penalty opportunity the D’s never really looked like conceding.
With time running out Bancroft again sent in a massive attack on the D’s line only for some super tackles from Jack Knowlden, Reece Morris and Rob Sullivan to stop the home side in their tracks. Finally Bancroft hearts where broken by some marvellous clearing up on the floor when Prop Tony “Irving” Simon’s put his body on the line when the loose ball finally looked to undo the D’s.
Simon’s bravery saved the day at the last and with the ball cleared to touch and the final whistle sounded the D’s jubilation was clear for all to see.
This was probably the D’s most impressive performance of this remarkable season as the away draw could have been kinder, but to be pitched against high flying opposition in to the bargain made this a real big ask, but as been proven at every turn this season the D’s are more than a match for any opposition.
So now the boys have a well deserved rest next week before their final game of 2006 against long time rivals Westcliff on December 16th at Central Park.
Again some sterling performances particularly from Bill Davis who had a huge game, Tony Simons who has been a revelation this season, Bill Bexfield who is getting better each time he pulls on the shirt and Jack Knowlden who played with a poise and calm belying his 18 years.
With the D’s in this kind of form the Big Boys left in this cup competition will be looking to avoid a trip to Central Park in the Semi Finals and most will probably want to avoid us at all.
Team : Simons, Taylor, West (Brooks), Bexfield, Wonderling, T Warwick, Davis, Wren (Capt), I Warwick, Wigham, Sullivan, Morris, Genovesa, Blade, Knowlden. Subs : Davenport, MacCullam
25-11-06
Dagenham II RUFC ( 26 ) vs Braintree III RFC ( 5 )
Away BL Merit Table Division 5
Dagenham Rugby Clubs Second fifteen made the long journey to Braintree this weekend with a squad more familiar with Third Team rugby than the customary second team stalwarts and although on paper this looked to be a big ask for the travelling D’s the game isn’t played on paper and that showed from the off.
The side fielded no fewer than 6 third team players but you would not have noticed as the D’s took the game to the Home side from the start. Good driving play from a rampant pack saw the ball moved up field with poise and purpose as they put together several rolling mauls.
With ball held up just short stand in scrum half Ian Warwick played a neat pass out to fly half Jordan Wigham. Wigham was held up just short of the line but a second drive by the D’s saw him pushed over the line under the posted to fall on the ball for the first score of the game. Wigham then picked himself up to slot the conversion to give the visitors a deserved lead, 7-0.
The early exchanges where fairly even with the atrocious conditions playing their part, as although the rain had stopped the ground was completely waterlogged which lead to handling errors by both sides and made running rugby difficult for all.
The next score of the match came from a well-worked driving maul. Great line out work by Lee Acerbis saw the ball fed back to Number 8 Brian Wren, the forwards piled in and drove the ball a full 20m before the home side tried to wheel the maul. This played straight into the D’s hands as Wren duly dived over through the opening to score, Wigham unfortunately missed the conversion but the D’s were good value for their 12-0 lead.
Straight from the kick off D’s went to sleep and allowed a long kick to bounce and slide across the turf. Tom Warwick made good ground to recover the ball but his efforts where to be in vain as no D’s players supported him, the home side turned the ball over and scored wide right in the corner, with a missed conversion this left the score at 12-5 and gave the home side a glimmer of hope which was to be extinguished pretty quickly.
The half ended without further scores at 12-5 to Dagenham.
The second half started in much the same vein the a first as the D’s forwards battered the home side into submission and scored what looked a perfectly good push over try through Brian Wren only for him to have been adjudged as held up, with no one within 5m of him.
The resultant scrum saw another massive shove from the pack allowing wing forward Tom Warwick to dive over and touch down only to have been adjudged as in touch, a very harsh call in our opinion but we can be accused of bias.
The next score was identical to the second. Again Acerbis made a salmon like leap in the line to secure good clean ball, again the D’s forwards piled in and again the result was a try for Captain Brian Wren, who, scoring his 14th Try of the season looks set to challenge Pat Feeley Senior’s long standing club record try tally this year.
Wigham found his range again with the conversion and the visitors where cruising at 17-5.
The D’s repeatedly battered to the home side’s line only for poor handling or the even poorer conditions to thwart their advance. Chances fell to Dave Genovesa after a magnificent run, Aaron Feeley was caught just short of the line, Reece Morris who was held up with support begging for the pass and Jordan Wigham who having beaten several players should have off loaded to the three unopposed supporting players but decided to try his luck and although he went over the line a double movement brought the play back.
With time running out the D’s had one last thrust at the line and a great dummy from Ian Warwick at scrum half allowed him to put in a flat pass to Reece Morris for the centre to crash over leaving the score at a well deserved 26-5 win.
Special mention must be given to Bill Bexfield making his 2nd team debut in the second row. Bexfield worked tirelessly in the set piece scrummaging and supporting in the line out and made some great carries with ball in hand.
Mention should also go to Ian Warwick who stepped up to the side for his debut and played out of position at scrum half with aplomb, Lee Acerbis who worked like a man possessed at line out and the break down and also to centre pairing Morris and Dave Genovesa who are starting to strike up a fine partnership.
With other results going their way this week the D’s are really making an impression on this years race for the title and with some more application could really play a big part in deciding the destination of the title.
More impressive than anything though is the fact that the D’s called on 6 third team players and not one of them looked out of place, this bodes well for the future of Dagenham Rugby Club.
Next week sees the D’s in the Cup quarter final with the trip to inform Bancroft.
Team : Brooks, Taylor, West, Davenport (Nelson), Bexfield, T Warwick, Acerbis, Wren (Capt), I Warwick, Wigham, Sullivan, Morris, Genovesa, Feeley, Smith
11-11-06
Dagenham II RUFC ( 17 ) vs Old Brentwoods II RFC ( 7 )
Away BL Merit Table Division 5
Dagenham Rugby Clubs Second fifteen travelled to Old Brentwood’s this weekend in the return leg of the opening game of this seasons BL Merit campaign looking to avenge the D’s only defeat of the season.
The D’s had been soundly beaten by Old Brentwood in the opening fixture, so knew this would be a big ask especially with two of their star players, Bill Davis and Peter Evans, missing through work commitments and injury respectively.
The game started fairly evenly as exchanges between both sides saw the ball move up and down the field without any really decisive moves by either side and although Old Brentwood started the stronger of the two as the half wore on the visiting D’s started to take control.
D’s impressive pack combined to pressurise the Home side but failed to make any real impression on the game. Slowly the D’s started to exert their game on Old Brentwood’s only for a poor kick ahead to be returned the length of the field for Old Brentwood’s to open the scoring. With the ball run in under the posts this gave the home side a 7-0 lead they hardly deserved.
In the past the D’s would have folded after going behind to such a poor score however, this years D’s are made of sterner stuff and regrouped and rallied to take the fight back to the home side from the kick off.
Time after time the D’s pack destroyed the physically bigger Old Brentwood pack, pushing them off their own ball at scrum time. With half time rapidly approaching the pack secured turn over ball on half way, scrum half Dicky Smith, making an impressive return to the side following his foray into first team territory last week, shipped a neat pass to skipper Brian Wren on half way.
Wren took the opportunity to break up field, fending off one would be tackler and opening up into midfield. With a surprising turn of pace (surprising not only to the opposition but all of his team mates too) Wren beat two men in midfield and headed for the line. Having crossed the 22m line and drawing in cover tackles he then made a neat pass to centre Dave Genovesa who cruised over the line for his first score of the match and although the conversion was missed this was without doubt the turning point of the match.
Having gone in to half time 7-5 down the D’s knew what was required in the second half and duly obliged. From the kick off D’s made ground at every given opportunity winning line out, turning over ball regularly and destroying the home sides scrum over and over again.
This allowed the backs to make good ground with centres Reece Morris and Dave Genovesa gaining good ground every time they took the ball on. One such foray from Morris lead to the next score of the match. Having crashed the ball up in midfield Morris set the ball back well for quick ball from Dicky Smith.
Smith played a neat pass to prop Mick Blakeborough who went on a bullocking run from the 22m line. Blakeborough broke through three tackles and charged through to score his 4th try of the season. This time Jordan Wigham stepped up to convert giving the D’s the lead of 12-7.
Once the D’s had got their noses in front there was only going to be one winner.
Again the Dagenham boys took the fight to the Home side and put in some excellent work without finding the finishing touch but where to finally break free from an error from the Home team.
Having spilled the ball forward Dicky Smith pounced to set up a break away from the D’s backline. The ball was shipped through 4 sets of hand before finding Genovesa who took a fantastic running line to beat both centres and score left of the posts. This gave the D’s a lead of 17-7 following the missed conversion and this would be enough to win the game.
D’s did have the chance to add to the score following a penalty opportunity but unfortunately Wigham left his kicking boots at home but this was not to be important as in the end the D’s cruised through to a comfortable victory.
This was a fantastic result for Dagenham and credit should go to the D’s forwards who competed for every ball, forcing the far larger Old Brentwood pack into reverse gear on numerous occasions and disrupting line out ball time and again.
The key to this game was shackling the Old Brentwood influential Fly Half who, in the first encounter ripped the D’s to shreds with his tactical kicking and slight of hand and foot. The Home sides 10 had started to exert his influence on the game but the D’s back row soon put paid to this after one massive hit on the 10 which effectively put him out of the game.
After last weeks disappointing performance it was great to see the fluency and desire come flooding back into the D’s team and some fine individual performances, particularly from Wing Jack Knowlden who at 17 is a fine prospect, Mick Blakeborough, Luke Taylor and Tony “Iriving” Simons in the front row who tore their opposite numbers to shreds, the power houses of John Wonderling and Dave Meggs in the second row and the graceful scrum half Dicky Smith.
Meggs, who it should be said has been a fringe player so far this season, in particular stepped up to the mark and scrummaged like a demon, supported ably around the pitch and dominated most of the line outs, deservedly picking up the man of the match award.
Things are looking very good for the Dagenham 2nd string and with a week out from League action this coming weekend can go into the upcoming fixture with Braintree looking to consolidate their exceptional start to the season.
Team : Blakeborough, Taylor, Simons (West), Wonderling, Meggs , Warwick, Acerbis, Wren (Capt), R Smith, Wigham, Sullivan, Morris, Genovesa, Knowlden, M Smith Sub Not Used: Murphy
4-11-06
Dagenham II RUFC ( 26 ) vs May & Baker II RFC ( 7 )
Away BL Merit Table Division 5
Dagenham Rugby Clubs Second fifteen made the short trip across Central Park for the hotly anticipated local derby with May & Baker in this weeks BL merit League clash.
The D’s have been in top form so far this season in stark contrast to a Bakers side who haven’t won a game so far, so some could be forgiven for expecting a rout. However, those in the D’s ranks who are aware of the rivalry between these two clubs should have known better.
Once again the D’s were stripped of several players due to first team call ups which meant the need to completely reshuffle the back line and it showed throughout the game.
D’s started the game in good form putting pressure on the Bakers pack at scrum and line out and after only 5 minutes the D’s took advantage. A fine kick from Flyhalf Wigham bounced just inside the touch line and Bakers hacked to touch. From the resulting line out D’s Captain Brian Wren was bundled into touch inches short of the line.
Bakers throw in was intercepted by Bill Davis, who from 5m out charged over the line twisting and turning out of several attempted tackles to touch down for his 3rd try of the season. Jordan Wigham stepped up and sent the conversion sailing over giving the D’s a 7-0 lead.
Unbelievably this is where things started to go wrong for Dagenham. The remainder of the first half was punctuated by poor handling, dropped passes, missed tackles and shocking kicking from hand.
The D’s spent almost the whole half camped in Bakers 22m area and repeatedly wasted opportunities to score. D’s spent the whole half trying to batter down the home sides door only for poor decision making coupled with a determined Bakers defence meaning the score would remain at 7-0 until some 2 or 3 minutes before half time.
Having taken one short penalty and dropped the ball over the line, prop Mickey Blakeborough, took a penalty some 10m out on the charge and used his power and pace to beat two Bakers backs to score right of the posts. Again Wigham slotted the conversion leaving the half time score at 14-0.
Even the most ardent of home supporters would have to admit the first half was a very one sided affair and D’s were good value for their lead , but the second half was to be a very different affair as Bakers made several changes to their side and decided to throw the kitchen sink at Dagenham.
Again the half started well for the visitors and a penalty some 20m from goal was taken quickly and a well rehearsed move used to good effect as the ball was shipped through several pairs of hand to wing Rob Sullivan who cruised past several attempted tackles to score in the corner. Again Wigham converted leaving the score at 21-0.
This should have been the catalyst for more points but the Home side, were having none of it as they regrouped and fought their way back into the game. Time and again the Bakers back line had good opportunities to score following the hard work of their pack but poor hands and some fine tackling let them down when it really mattered.
However with 20 minutes remaining they got the score they deserved when replacement prop Lee Heron charged over, with the conversion duly slotted and the Bakers tails up the D’s started to wobble.
Just after the Bakers score D’s were hit by a further blow when influential scrum half Peter Evans limped off with what appeared to be a groin injury. While this had a profound effect on the match it could have a far worse effect on the season should this prove to be a serious injury.
Following the departure of Evans the Bakers boys really started to press for the most unlikely of come backs and repeatedly tried to smash their way through the D’s defensive line again only for some good tackling and poor handling to thwart their advance.
With time running out Bakers started to get desperate and played into the D’s hands giving away several penalties in midfield which allowed Wigham to kick the D’s into good field position.
With a line out 10m from the Home sides line the D’s went to set up a drive only for Lee Acerbis jumping at 4 to be cynically taken out in midair. This would normally have resulted in a penalty, however, the ball sailed over Acerbis’s head and into the hands of Skipper Brian Wren who took full advantage by breaking the line and driving over with 2 defenders hanging on to score his 11th try of the season, Wigham was unable to convert this time but that didn’t matter as the score knocked the wind out of Bakers and the game came to an end with a 26-7 victory to Dagenham.
Although this victory keeps the momentum going for the D’s and gives the local bragging rights there was very little else to take from this match.
The D’s back line didn’t function at all, handling was very poor and they seemed to lack any determination, desire or flair, all of which have been in abundance so far this season, and but for a real dogfight up front which was just edged by D’s this game could have been a disappointing defeat.
D’s really didn’t deserve to win the game by anywhere near the 19 point margin and Bakers should take heart as although they are yet to win in the league this year that elusive first win cant be far away.
Although the team was full of enforced changes no excuses can be made for this weeks performance. We were rubbish.
Team : Blakeborough, Morris, Simons, Wonderling, Warwick (Davenport), Davis, Acerbis, Wren (Capt), Evans (Meggs) , Wigham, Sullivan, Blade, Genovesa, Knowlden, M Smith
21-10-06
Dagenham II RUFC ( 111 ) vs Burnham II RFC ( 7 )
Home BL Merit Table Division 5
Dagenham Rugby Clubs Second fifteen returned to league action again this weekend playing hosts to a Burnham Side looking to continue their very good start to the league campaign.
Once again the D’s were able to field a full strength side and the promise shown in the last few weeks was to come to the fore with a bang as the D’s rattled up a massive 19 tries against a far from poor side.
The first half was a fairly even contest although this can be attributed to the very strong wind and slope which, having won the toss, Burnham elected to play with. However, after some early forays for the visitors into the D’s 22m Dagenham took control.
First half tries were scored by Reece Morris after a well worked move from the base of the scrum saw a miss pass in midfield find the centre in acres of space wide right. Morris stepped left and right beating two opposition players to score. Wigham stepped up and missed the conversion, which was to be the story of the first half as Wigham failed to convert any of the 6 first half tries.
D’s took the ball up at every opportunity and passing and movement and inter play of forwards and backs along with fantastic handling allowed the D’s to move the opposition all over the pitch. The next two scores were trade mark tries for the D’s jubilant skipper Brian Wren. First try came from a short inside pass following a well cleared ruck and from 5m Wren Crashed over.
The next score came from a very similar move as prop forward Dave Purton picked up at the base of a ruck and with hands like the finest fly half in the land picked an inch perfect reverse pass back to Wren who powered over from 5m.
With three scores in quick succession the visitors started to slack and had their No.7 sin binned for an off the ball charge on D’s Outstanding Player of the opening weeks of the season Fly Half Dicky Smith.
The D’s Scored a further three tries in the first half, the first coming from Prop Purton after a rolling maul was driven over the line for Purton to score the first of his 3 tries.
Centre Carpenter then got in on the act after a well worked back move, which saw him beat two opponents before scampering in at the corner. Carpenter has been a fabulous addition to the Dagenham Squad this season and is pushing hard for a place in the first team squad.
The last D’s score of the half came from Wing forward Tom Warwick. Warwick has missed the first 5 games of the season following an operation on a very ugly nose but has come back with a bang in the last two weeks, this week all his hard work paid off with a bullocking run to touch down for his first of the year.
Burnham had the last word of the half when a speculative kick into the D’s 22 was completely misjudged by Full Back Wigham who failed to meet the ball and allowed the bounce to fall straight into the hands of an on rushing Burnham fly half who touched down under the posts for a score they frankly didn’t deserve.
A 30 – 7 half time lead was a good start for the D’s and although disappointed at conceding a soft try they looked forward to a more productive second half with the wind and slope now in the home sides favour.
Nothing however, could prepare the D’s faithful for the onslaught which was to occur in the second half.
From the kick off the D’s marauding pack secured the ball and shifted the ball wide for the backs to attack. After several phases of play and the ball changing hands at least 20 times up popped skipper Wren to complete his hat-trick running in from 15m out. Again the conversion was missed but its was becoming obvious that conversions were not going to play any part in today’s final score.
The next score came from a fine line out on the halfway line where second row Etienne Le Roux soared high to take a fine catch. The rolling maul then started to move up field driven on by scrum half Evans. As the maul moved so momentum was gained and with the 22m line in sight Burnham piled every player in to try to stop the D’s 7man drive. With the ball in the hands of Dave Purton there was only going to be one outcome as the D’s powered the full half of the pitch to score a fine try.
Le Roux then got in on the act, the D’s new signing was magnificent in his first start of the season with outstanding line out work and support play all afternoon. A neat pop out of the tackle by Bill Davis allowed Le Roux to stroll in for his first try.
Morris then scored his second try following a flowing move through the back line which had every player in the back 7 touch the ball before Morris side stepped home for a nice finish.
Not to be outdone centre partner Carpenter then made sure he kept up with Morris after another magnificently worked score. His second score and third in the last two games was a pleasure to watch as the support play and off loading in the tackle was perfection.
With the points starting to pile up the Burnham defence started to fall apart and with the loss of one of their prop forwards the visitors were reduced to only 14 men.
It should be noted that even if they had had 20 men on the field they would never have been able to contain a rampant Dagenham side.
Le Roux popped up again for his second score with again, fabulous support play, which saw some neat interchange allow him the chance to charge over.
Skipper Wren then got in on the act again. With Burnham penned on their own goal line Prop Tony “Buster” West drove in hard and used his boots to great effect as he rucked the ball back from the Burnham side straight into the hands of Wren who again dived over for his fourth Try of the Match. 5 minutes later Wren was at it again. A fine break by wing Dave Genovesa saw him cut through the opposition defence taking an angled run toward the visitor’s posts. With the cover making ground he had the presence of mind to pop a neat switch back to Wren who straightened his run to crash over from 15m out and score his 5th try of the day.
Prop Purton and then 2nd Row Le Roux both completed Hat Tricks within the space of 5 minutes as the D’s returned kick offs from Burnham to score virtually unopposed
Fly Half Smith then got in on the act after some fine running from Number 8 Wren opened up the Burnham defence, which by now was non-existent. A cover tackle from Burnhams young full back, who it should be said didn’t give up all afternoon, allowed Wren to pass out to Smith who jinked past two half hearted tackles to score under the posts.
Wing Genovesa, a half time replacement, then turned on the gas as he sped past 4 visiting players to score under the posts.
The last try of the match went to probably the most deserving candidate of the day in wing forward Bill Davis. Davis had been supporting all over the pitch all day, jumping ably in the line out and disrupting ball at the break down and had worked harder than any without the reward of a try. But with the game coming to an end a break by Number 8 Wren allowed the skipper to make around 30m. With the posts looming again Burnhams young full back again made a brave attempt to thwart the Red and White tide with a fine tackle.
However, Davis had been on hand all afternoon and this time wasn’t to be denied as he received the off load for the final score of the game. The last act was unfortunately the dismissal of Burnhams No 7 after he abusively criticised the referee and found a way of some how blaming him for their demise??!!!
With 19 tries and 8 conversions the Dagenham second team played close to the perfect match.
The hard work of Coach Peter McMullen-Bell over the last 2 seasons is now paying dividends with the handling skills and general skill levels promoted by Dagenham’s development coach coming to the fore at every turn. M-B’s general rugby ethos is starting to shine through and thanks to his efforts the D’s are now a real force to be reckoned with.
Again every player involved put in a maximum of effort and with competition for places hotting up things can only get better.
Team : West, Taylor, Purton, Le Roux, Wonderling, , Warwick , Davis, Wren (Capt), Evans, R Smith, Morris, Carpenter, M Smith, Sullivan (Genovesa), Wigham.
14-10-06
Dagenham II RUFC ( 45 ) vs Thames II RFC ( 15 )
Home John Adler Cup - 1st Round
The John Adler Cup has been a competition in which the Dagenham 2nd Team have failed to perform over the last 3 seasons having been knocked out in the first round each time, so this year the boys were determined to taste victory.
The D’s took on a Thames side looking to avenge their clubs defeat in last terms Presidents Shield Final when the clubs first teams met in last season’s finale. But with the D’s at full strength for the first time this season they were in no mood to let this happen.
From the kick off the D’s secured good ball and started to move down field with great fluidity. Dicky Smith returning at flyhalf orchestrating some excellent passing moves through the back line.
The home side were aware of the physicality of the visitors whose pack appeared to outweigh the D’s by a considerable amount, however, after the first few encounters the D’s pack started to get the upper hand and this allowed the scoring to commence.
A penalty 10m out was taken quickly and popped out to Prop Mick Blakeborough who jinked and jived his way through several tackles like a 17stone ballerina to score a fine try just right of the posts. Jordan Wigham stepped up to slot the conversion to make the score 7-0.
From the resulting kick off the ball was moved through good hands from forwards and backs to set up a ruck some 15m out from the Thames line. Again Blakeborough was on hand to take the crash ball and this time in more traditional fashion charged straight through 4 despairing tackles to score his second try again Wigham slotted home the conversion to give the D’s a lead of 14-0.
Next it was the turn of the backs to get in on the act. Luke Taylor stole the ball against the head at scrum time, which allowed the ball to be played quickly from the back of the D’s scrum. The ball was shifted wide quickly by Dicky Smith to Ex- Thames man Chris Carpenter.
Carpenter made a fine break before being held up short, the centre made a neat pop out to a supporting Peter Evans and the scrum half scored in the corner. From around 45m wide left of the posts Wigham hit a massive conversion to give the D’s a well-deserved lead of 21-0.
Again the restart saw the D’s move the ball through hands gaining territory with apparent ease. Reece Morris and Chris Carpenter worked very well together in midfield and set a fine flowing move down field.
After some good tackling from the visitors a ruck was set on the visitors 22m line, good clearing out at the ruck by the D’s forwards allowed Fly half Smith the chance to spin the ball wide only to find Number 8 Brian Wren lingering in midfield. Wren took the pass and made serval metres before drawing the Thames cover and passing wide to on rushing wing Rob Sullivan, leaving Sullivan a clear run in for his first try for the D’s Second Team. Again Wigham stepped up and again the result was the same, Conversion 28-0.
With time ticking away the D’s would have been happy to settle for the comfortable lead at half time, but Carpenter wanted to get in on the act. Again the rampaging D’s pack secured good ball at the break down allowing Smith to work his magic again.
A neat pass to Morris at centre allowed the fly half to loop around taking the return, the flat pass inside to Carpenter opened a hole in midfield which Carpenter raced through to score just wide of the posts, again Wigham put the conversion through the middle of the posts leaving the score at 35-0.
Credit should be given to Thames though as they still tried to make an impact on the very one sided half and managed a good try after some sloppy defending by Dagenham leaving the score at half time at 35-5.
The second half was always going to be a harder task for the D’s as the sloping pitch and the strong wind were now against the home side but the Dagenham forwards who worked tirelessly all afternoon ensured that Thames were not to get back into the game.
Thames started to use their superior size and some very good off loading to good effect early in the second half making ground time and again. Although the D’s tackling, particularly from centres Morris and Carpenter, was sound the good off loading of Thames allowed them to make the next score. Working up to the 5m line Thames pick and drive allowed a score in the corner when weight of numbers laid heavily in the visitors favour. Although it should be noted that more than once the ball appeared to be knocked forward in the move. The conversion being missed left the score at 35-10.
D’s were not intending to let the visitors back into the game and a fine break up field from wing Mark Smith set up a good ruck in midfield. The ball was taken on by scrum half Evans who made a fine blind side break and with the line at his mercy made the most unselfish of passes to supporting skipper Brian Wren who touched down for his 5th try in as many games to restore the 30 point lead. This time Wigham was unable to convert.
With the vocal Dagenham support ably lead by Vice Chairman Pat Feeley, calling for more points the D’s intended to oblige although the next score came from the visitors.
Having lost Lock Dave Meggs to the most dubious of injuries and having to play Prop Blakeborough at blind side wing forward the D’s were undone by a blind tap and go.
A scrum some 25m from Thames line was awarded to the visitors and although they failed to hold the engage and then delayed the put in the referee amazingly awarded Thames a free kick. Then to add insult to injury allowed the Thames scrum half to take the kick some 20m from the mark. However, this is where the referee is absolved of blame as the D’s allowed Thames to scamper 75 metres to score, again the conversion was missed leaving the score at 40-15.
The D’s came roaring back again through Lock John Wonderling. Thames line out had been scrappy all day and a flap down some 10m out allowed Wonderling to pounce.
The ball was taken on the bounce and Wonderling was driven over by prop Dave Purton and hooker Luke Taylor to restore the 30 point gap again, Wigham again missed the conversion, 45-15.
The D’s were eager to score more points and the 7 tries already scored were not enough although with some 15 minutes to play a terrible, but accidental, collision in midfield saw Thames Fly Half knocked cold. With an ambulance called and some concern the game was abandoned. But as more the 60 minutes had been played the result was to stand at 45-15.
Although the game ended on a worrying note, Dagenham played a magnificent game of running and fluid rugby with some fine individual performances but more importantly a fabulous team performance.
Special mention should go to Peter Evans and Richard Smith, who have a fantastic partnership at Half Back, the back row trio of Acerbis, Warwick and Wren who stole ball at the break down and ably supported play all over the field and the power houses of Blakeborough, Taylor (who again took 5 against the head) and Purton in the front row who allowed solid ball for the backs to play with.
Team : Blakeborough, Taylor, Purton, Wonderling, Meggs (Simons), Warwick Acerbis, Wren (Capt), Evans, R Smith, Morris, Carpenter, M Smith, Sullivan, Wigham. Sub Not Used - West
30-9-06
Dagenham II RUFC ( 41 ) vs Chelmsford III RFC ( 0 )
Home BL Division 5
Dagenham Second string took on an inform Chelmsford side at Central Park having again been denied an unbelievable 7 first choice starters to first team call ups and unavailablity. However, the D’s strength in depth especially the dearth of young talent shone through on a fantastic day for the club.
In recent weeks the D’s have started poorly but this week the boys were raring to go and from the kick off showed that they meant business. Good chasing from the kick off saw the D’s steel ball at the breakdown. A nice kick from flyhalf Jordan Wigham penned the visitors on their own five metre line. The resulting throw in saw scrappy ball flapped down from the Chelmsford line out allowing wing forward Lee Acerbis to dive on the loose ball and beat the opposition for his second try in as many matches and after only 2 minutes the D’s were in front. 5-0
The D’s again put lots of pressure on the visiting side at every situation and with the visiting pack under pressure from the strong D’s 8 a loose ball was fly hacked into touch five metres out.
A superb throw to the tail of the line from Outstanding debutant hooker, Luke Taylor, allowed a neat catch and pop to scrum half Peter Evans. Evans went on one of his trade mark jinking runs throwing several dummies before coasting in under the posts for the D’s second score, Wighams conversion saw the lead extended to 12-0.
The play immediately went back into a rampant Dagenham’s favour. Wave after wave of attacks working from forwards to backs with fluency and efficiency saw the D’s further their lead after some great work down the blindside. A neat kick from Evans allowed wing Jamie Dartnell to hammer is opposite number, the spilled ball was neatly colleted by Acerbis who in turn fed Wigham who duly charged home placing down just right of the posts. Wigham picked himself up and slotted the conversion to put Dagenham into a commanding lead at 19-0.
The D’s weren’t finished yet. With D’s backrow causing lots of problems for Chelmsford at the breakdown, particularly from wing forwards Bill Davis and Lee Acerbis the D’s were able to secure ball after ball giving the backs the time and space to create numerous chances. Great breaks came from centres Reece Morris and Peter Blade only for last ditch tackles to stop further try’s being scored. One such break lead to a penalty just left of the posts and Wigham slotted home with aplomb 22-0.
The D’s have been accused of not being ruthless enough in recent games but this could not be levelled at them this week. A great passing move through the back line saw wing Dave Genovesa beat his opposite number with ease to score a well deserved try in the corner again Wigham missed the conversion but at 27-0 the D’s were flying.
A solitary missed penalty was Chelmsford only real effort of the first half and the Dagenham boys went in with a very comfortable lead of 27-0.
The second half was always going to be a harder task for the D’s as the sloping pitch and the strong wind were now against the home side but this is were Man of the Match Luke Taylor came to the fore.
Taylor has been accused of poor throwing in at the line out and suspect hooking in recent weeks. BY WHO????? Taylor took 5, yes 5 strikes against the head in the second half and didn’t miss a single throw in the line out. Coupled with his determination in the loose and an obvious desire to keep the second team shirt he has coveted for so long saw a performance to be long remembered by the 18 year old Star.
Taylor’s effort inspired all of the D’s pack to work that bit harder and although Chelmsford did improve in the second half the D’s looked more likely to score and duly did after around 15 minutes.
In open play the D’s were devastating, popping ball out of the tackle and breaking the gain line again and again. One such move saw Peter Evans make a fine dart for the line and although his charge was thwarted he had the presence of mind to pop the ball out. Support play is not normally Number 8 Brian Wrens forte, however the Big Number 8 was in the right place this time and took the ball on the move from 10m out. Chelmsford made several despairing tackles but to no avail as Wren crashed over to give the D’s a lead of 32-0 Wigham conversion made the score 34-0 and the D’s were on the march again.
The more Chelmsford pushed forward the more resolute the D’s defence became. Time and again Chelmsford came close to breaching the home sides line but the White and Red defensive line was magnificent and held firm.
The final score of the match came from a well worked back row move. With the ball being fed to Acerbis some 30m out he made a great break for the line. Drawing in Chelmsford cover he made a neat pass to supporting Number 8 Wren who took the ball on the go. With 20m to go Wren normally looks for the off load, however, this time had the presence of mind to throw a neat dummy to Chelmsfords full back and then break a tackle to score with an outstretched arm. Wigham again stepped up and converted leaving the final score at 41-0.
Although this score sounds like a drubbing, credit should be given to the Away side as they competed for every ball and never gave up right to the final whistle. This alone makes this a stand out performance and quite possibly the best by a D’s second string bar none.
As always there was a number of unsung hero’s without whom this result couldn’t have been achieved and although every man in the 16 strong squad played their part particular mentioned should go to Jamie Dartnell, Dave Meggs, Nick Davenport and Jon Wonderling although there was no questioning the Star of the Day with a debut to dream of, Luke Taylor was our man.
Team : Davenport, Taylor, Simons (Brooks) Wonderling, Meggs, Davis, Acerbis, Wren (Capt), Evans, Wigham, Morris, Blade, Genovesa, Dartnell, Sullivan.
16-9-06
Dagenham II RUFC ( 22 ) vs Braintree III RFC ( 5 )
Home BL Division 5
After the disappointment of last weeks opening day defeat Dagenham Rugby Club second team intended to exact their revenge on a visiting Braintree who had started the season with a win.
Braintree made a flying start to the game pouncing on poor D’s play from the kick off which resulted in a very neat move in the back line. Dagenham made several last ditch tackles before weight of numbers gave Braintree’s tighthead prop a try in the corner. The conversion was missed leaving the game at 5-0 to the visitors.
Though the D’s knew how important this fixture was if they are to mount a serious challenge for the title this season. Jordan Wigham starting the game as skipper lead by example with some fantastic runs from the centre breaking the line time and again.
The D’s replied from one such scything run as Wigham cut through the centre of the Braintree defence side stepping left and right. After stepping from the left Wigham fended off the Braintree left wing to score a fine try in the corner. Wigham then stepped up to convert with a massive kick from the corner to put the home side 7-5 in front.
From here on in there was only one winner, the D’s mounted attack after attack with the visitors trying to defend the waves of white shirts. A matter of some poor decision making and poor hands lead to the score remaining at 7-5 until handling in the ruck, a persistent offence from the visitors was penalised some 40m from goal. Although Wigham missed this chance some five minutes later the same offence lead to a penalty from 20m out and this time Wigham made no mistake 10-5.
Again the D’s were sloppy from the kick off, but some great chasing from Wing Jamie Dartnell and Centre Dave Genovesa, lead to scrappy ball from the Braintree centres being gobbled up by the D’s back row. The ball was fed wide, the D’s were held up and the ball was shipped back across field for Number 8 Lee Acerbis to dive over for his first score of the season, this time Wigham missed the conversion giving the D’s a half time lead of 15-5.
Half time saw the visitors withdraw a prop so the game went down to uncontested scrums. From the first scrum a well-rehearsed back row move saw substitute No.8 Brian Wren break from some 25m out. A neat inside pass from Peter Evans at scrum half allowed Wren the opportunity to dummy his opposite number before charging down field. With supporting runners in abundance Wren unselfishly popped a pass to flanker Bill Davis who went in under the posts for the D’s third try, Wigham converted leaving the score at a comfortable 22-5 to the D’s.
However, the D’s were to be robbed of any further points when Braintree’s scrum half went down in agony, in what appeared to be a freak accident, clutching his right knee. With the game stopped and an ambulance called the Braintree Captain took the opportunity to concede the fixture leaving D’s disappointed but comfortable winners 22-5.
Dagenham now face the journey to long time rivals Westcliffe next weekend in what is sure to be an enthralling game.
The team performed much better this week with some outstanding performances from Dave Genovesa, Jamie Dartnell, Neil Powell, Peter Evans and Richard Smith but the outstanding man of the day was without doubt Jordan Wigham.
Team : Blakeborough, Morris. Clarke, Mitchell, Meggs, Powell (Wren Capt), Davis, Acerbis, Evans, R Smith, Wigham, Genovesa, Feeley, Dartnell, M Smith Subs Not Used: Davenport, Ben
9-9-06
Dagenham II RUFC ( 5 ) vs Old Brentwood II RFC ( 31 )
Home BL Division 5
Dagenham Rugby Club second team, opened the league campaign against a very strong Old Brentwood second fifteen at Central Park on Saturday. The coaches were very optimistic before the game but it would appear the problems of late call ups to the first fifteen and numerous late cry off’s or un-availability has resurfaced at the earliest opportunity this season.
Old Brentwood made a flying start to the game with some very neat moves in the back line causing havoc in the D’s normally resolute defence and after only 10 minutes D’s found themselves 12 points behind, Old Brentwood having scored two tries and one conversion without so much as a tackle in sight.
The next 10 minutes of the half belonged entirely to the visitors as time and again there disciplined and well drilled back line fed off the good clean ball won by a dominant pack, although some fine tackling and some poor handling failed to see the score increased.
But one thing the Dagenham men are renowned for is a never say die attitude and with the half drawing to a close the D’s put great pressure on the Old Brentwood line without having that killer touch, the Old Brentwood final score of the half came from a break away when Dagenham looked more likely to score, leaving the half time score at 17 - 0.
Dagenham made two changes at half time and were hoping that things would improve from this point only to be stunned immediately from the kick off when some poor handling by the D’s gave the Old Brentwood back line the time and space to create a very well worked try which saw the left wing go over in the corner. A fantastic kick for goal gave the visitors a lead of 24-0 and what appeared to be game set and match.
But again the D’s rallied and again put the Old Brentwood line under pressure without finding the last pass or luck of the bounce they needed to register a score.
15minutes in the D’s finally got the score they deserved. After being awarded a penalty some 25m from goal the D’s shunned the opportunity to put some points on the board and kicked for the corner. From five metres out a nice take at the line out saw the ball popped out to Captain Brian Wren who charged over the line to give the D’s the score they deserved.
The remainder of the game was a topsy turvy affair with D’s going close on two or three occasions but again, great defensive work by Old Brentwood’s and a lack of a killer instinct from Dagenham meant the chances went begging.
With 5minutes to go Old Brentwood’s scored the last try of the match with a charge down of an attempted clearance and put the seal on a richly deserved win 31 – 5.
Dagenham now face the task of lifting themselves for the long trip to Braintree next week, but with better fortune concerning selection and some hard work at training it wont be long before the D’s come good. Watch out Braintree!!!!!!!!!
Special mentioned should be made for some outstanding performances from Dave Genovesa, Tom Waller and Nick Davenport making his first start for the club.
Team : Simons, Morris. Davenport (Nelson), Harrison (Charles), Waller, Powell (Wren Capt), Acerbis, Davis, Side Show Bob, Smith, Evans, Feeley, Genovesa, Sullivan (Blade) Wigham.