Match Reports by Barry Robinson
NEW SEASON 2005-2006
20-1-07
Dagenham III RUFC ( 88 ) vs Thames 2s ( 14 )
Home Friendly
Match Reports by Barry Robinson
NEW SEASON 2005-2006
20-1-07
Dagenham III RUFC ( 88 ) vs Thames 2s ( 14 )
Home Friendly
Having had no fixture for the last 3 weekends Dagenham’s 3rd team welcomed Thames 2nd team to central park on Saturday looking for a moral boosting win before returning to league action next week.
Starting the game with several 1st team players returning from injury and several players who made appearances for the 2nd team in last weeks Cup Semi Final the D’s always looked to be too strong for an ageing Thames 2nd string that has struggled for most of the season.
While the Thames outfit were obviously strong up front, outweighing the D’s pack by a good 3-4 stone per man, it became obvious from the kick off that the game plan for the D’s was to use the younger back line to full effect and that’s exactly what happened.
Although the D’s scored directly from the kick off the first 20minutes of the match where fairly evenly fought with the D’s scoring 4 tries to the visitors 2. However once the legs of the Thames forwards had gone the D’s back line started to punish the visitors with ruthless efficency at every opportunity.
This one-sided affair saw some magnificent individual tries as well as some fabulous team efforts. The team try of the day saw a move from the D’s own 22m line that saw 10-12 passes through the back division before Tom Clancy scored one of his 4 tries for the day. Young Clancy is making a real name for himself in the 3rd team this season although many believe he should challenge himself more by playing with at least the 2nd team and maybe even the 1st team squad, he really is that good.
Solo effort of the day came from Aaron Feeley, who, playing in his favoured position if inside centre intercepted a pass 10m inside his own half and then raced the full 60m to touch down under the posts.
So the try scorers list goes; Aaron Feeley, Joe McCullam who also hit 9 conversions, Kieran Clancy with 2, Tom Clancy with 4, Bill Nelson with 2, Ian Warwick with 3, Jeff Mills and Rocky Murphy completed a 12 try haul.
It was a special day for the Clancy Clan as not only did brothers Kieran and Tom score a total of 6 tries between them Dad Luke also got on the score sheet with a penalty goal from the prop forward
So next week will see a more familiar looking D’s third team make the trip to Canvey Island for the BL merit division 8 league clash looking to keep up their impressive first season in league rugby.
9-12-06
Dagenham III RUFC ( 40 ) vs Gravesend RFC V ( 10 )
Home Friendly
After a 2 week layoff, Dagenham’s 3rd team welcomed Gravesend V to central park on Saturday looking for a moral boosting win before returning to league action next week and that’s exactly what they got.
Starting with only 14men (the full compliment was made up after 10 minutes) the D’s young guns started with a bang. Within 5 minutes of the kick off young starlet, Tom Clancy scored a fantastic try to give the home side a 5-0 lead. Joe MacCullam stepped up and hit a nicely struck conversion to give the D’s a 7-0 lead.
5 minutes later Clancy was at it again when he touched down a well worked try to put the home side 12-0 up, again MacCullam stepped forward and slotted the conversion giving the outnumbered D’s a 14-0 lead. This score galvanised the visitors and some good forward driving paid off as Gravesend responded immediately to score wide left of the D’s posts. With the conversion missed the D’s held the lead at 14-5.
The D’s put some magnificent effort in around the pitch making fine tackles and even better breaks with ball in hand with some stand out performances, particularly from young guns, Ian Warwick, Aaron Feeley and Tom Clancy and although D’s had the chance to extend their lead a little naiveté and some wasteful kicking away reduced their chances as the half ended 14-5.
The D’s where to go on the attack from the kick off as Joe MacCullam hit a massive kick direct from the restart deep into Gravesend territory which the visitors allowed to bounce and fly into touch on their own 5m line.
Gravesend throw in at the line missed their jumper and sailed straight into the hands of Brian Wren who took the ball in flight and crashed over from 5m out to give the D’s a lead of 19-5. Again MacCullam stepped up and hit a fantastic conversion, 21-5.
This start to the half gave the D’s the momentum required and galvanised attack after attack. The D’s only problem was a lack of support at the break down and they lost possession time and again, which was rather fortunate for the visitors as promising chances where lost due to turn over ball.
However, it wasn’t to be long before the D’s extended their lead. After some good inter play from forwards to backs and the first set of phases of play in the match the D’s pressurised the Gravesend line sucking in defenders. MacCullam, who had a fine game, made a neat pass to wing forward Wren who charged through several tacklers from 10m out to score his second of the game (18th of the Season), again MacCullam slotted the conversion to leave the scores at 28-5.
Clancy was not to be outdone in the scoring charts though as he completed his hat trick with a scintillating individual try. Gravesend broke away from another D’s turnover and made good ground into the D’s half. With a 3 on 1 situation developing Gravesend looked to spread the ball with a long pass which Clancy intercepted and then raced a full 60m beating several visiting players for pace to score wide right of the posts. This time MacCullam was unable to convert, although his kick from the touch line missed by the width of the post as it came crashing back off the left hand up right. 33-5.
The next score came again from the D’s. With a line-out on the visitors 5m line the D’s threw long to Wren at the tail. 4 Gravesend players piled in to stop Wren and although the ball looked like being tied up some good ripping by the D’s forwards allowed Wren to feed David Meggs who twisted and turned to power over from the 5m line to score his first ever try in Dagenham colours, MacCullam stepped up to secure a 5 from 6 record of conversions to give the D’s a lead of 40-5.
Gravesend had the final word after some weak tackling by the Home side allowed the Gravesend centre to run in unopposed from 50m out to score in the corner. The missed conversion was the final act of the match and left the score at a fabulous 40-10 win for the D’s.
The third team keep going from strength to strength and with the introduction of some older heads in the side they would be a real force in the BL Merit Table.
A team of youngsters who are still very much on a steep learning curve could not have expected to put 40 points on a well drilled and experienced Gravesend team, but it just goes to show that this is already a very exciting team and with a bit more experience and some training this team will only get better and better.
WELL DONE THE THIRDS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Team: Davenport, Fergie, Lewis, Meggs, Murphy, Wren, Nelson, Parlour, Warwick, MacCullam, Feeley, Clancy, Harry, Mills, Smith.
18-11-06
Dagenham III RUFC ( 17 ) vs Harlow RFC IV ( 22 )
Away Friendly
Dagenham’s 3rd team travelled to Harlow this weekend for a friendly fixture looking to keep up their excellent run of late with a side again finely balanced with experience and youth.
Having arrived late the D’s had little time to prepare for this match and unfortunately paid a heavy price. The well drilled home team run in three unanswered try’s in a relatively one sided first half although the D’s put in some determined tackles and never gave up.
At half time the experienced heads made sure that Dagenham were to put the first half behind them and this showed as the second half started very well with an excellent move through the back line allowing Ian Warwick to finish in style.
Harlow had a much heavier pack than the D’s but this would count for nothing as a brilliant shove for the D’s allowed Billy Bexford to score his first try of the season. Although Bexford took the plaudits for the touch down credit should go to the whole pack as this was definitely a team score.
D’s third try of the game was a penalty try for a foul on last seasons player of the year Aaron Feeley which allowed the visitors their first lead of the match at 17-15 and looking for what would have been a magnificent victory only to be undone in the dying minutes as Harlow ran in their fourth try.
The conversion gave the home side a close fought 22-17 victory, but again this is a moral victory for the newest side in Dagenham as they proved once again they are a match for anyone at their level this term.
Again the team showed great spirit and determination in the face of a supposedly superior team and also showed some real flair into the bargain running in three try’s on the road. If these boys keep this sort of effort and belief they will win far more than they will lose this year.
Next week sees the trip to Kings Cross Steelers who, in the first game of the season gave the D’s a good thumping, although it should be said with more than one first team player in the side. It will be a very interesting game as the boys definitely owe the Steelers for the previous encounter.
GO ON THE THIRDS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Team: Davenport, Fergie, Brooks, Bexfield, Murphy, Taylor, Grayling, Nelson, McCullam, Bone, Green, Mills, Rielly, Smith, Dijon, Warwick, Sullivan.
11-11-06
Dagenham III RUFC ( 27 ) vs Billericay RFC III ( 19 )
Home BL Merit Table Div 8
Dagenhams 3rd team extended their unbeaten run to 4 matches with a magnificent 27-19 win over Billericay III at Central Park on Saturday.
The game started slowly for the D’s with the early exchanges being fairly even until on the 25 minute mark, Prop Luke Clancy crashed over from a ruck to give the home side a 5-0 lead. Unfortunately young fly half, Joe Macullam, was unable to convert.
Billericay came straight back at the D’s from the kick off to score a converted try and take the lead at 7-5. However, the D’s where to go back in front following a nicely taken penalty from full back Tom Clancy to give the D’s a half time lead of 8-7.
D’s coach, Barry Robinson, made several tactical changes at half time to freshen things up and got his reward as the scoring see sawed in the second half.
First Ian Warwick scored a fine try to put the D’s 13-7 in front then Joe Macullam scored a fine try, which following the conversion put the D’s 20-7 in front.
Billericay came storming back into the game scoring twice and converting once to leave the scores at 20-19 in the home sides favour. However the last score went to the D’s and with the conversion being duly slotted home the D’s where to run out winners at 27-19.
Again we have seen a magnificent performance from the Dagenham youngsters. With a friendly next week the D’s can give some of the younger more inexperienced players a run out.
4-11-06
Dagenham III RUFC ( 34 ) vs Pegasus Palmerians II ( 14 )
Home BL Merit Table Div 8
For all the plaudits afforded the D’s 1st and 2nd teams this season the real stars so far have been, without question, Dagenham’s newly formed 3rd team. With an average age of around 18 in the D’s back line (average of around 45 in the forwards!!!!) this team is the bright future of Dagenham Rugby and we cant wait.
At long last the 3rds proved to coach, Barry Robinson, that they have what it takes to compete in this league with a fantastic win over high flying Rayliegh Wyverns 2nd team.
The game started fabulously for the D’s with a great try from full back Tom Clancy giving the D’s a 7-0 lead. This was quickly cancelled out by a try for the visitors leveling the score at 7-7.
Mondays development training sessions seem to be paying off as the D’s played a fine rucking game and used the rolling maul to good effect allowing quick ball time and again,
The D’s scored again opening up a lead of 21-7, scorers are unknown as coach Robinson was so elated by the skill and finesse of the try’s that he forgot who scored them!!
Rayliegh really gave it a go as the game progressed scoring two more tries of their own which were unconverted leaving the score at 21-17.
This was a close as it got though a the D’s ran in a further two tries and a match sealing penalty to wrap up a fantastic 34-17 victory.
Special mention should go to Luke Clancy on his first full game for the third team and young Tom Clancy who ran in an impressive 4 tries on the day.
Next week the D’s play host to Billericay and are already raring to go.
Team : Fitch, Fergie, Murphy, Bexford, Brooks, I Warwick, Grayling, Macullam, French, Feeley, Gunner, Bone, Green, Parlour, L Clancy, T Clancy, Riley
21-10-06
Dagenham III RUFC ( 0 ) vs Pegasus Palmerians II ( 20 )
Away BL Merit Table Div 8
Dagenham’s young guns put in another fine display this weekend following their away day against a very strong, and possibly favourites for the Division 8 title this season, Pegasus Palmerians side on Saturday.
The D’s third team put on a performance of true grit and determination which is only to be expected from a Dagenham side.
The D’s put in lots of effort all afternoon without having that final killer touch and the home side went into the half time break at 13-0.
However, as we know from their performances every week the D’s don’t give up and put in tremendous effort in the tackle all day long. The second half was a very evenly matched affair and although the home side just edged it with a score at the death Dagenham ably matched Palmerians.
The D’s were lead again by Darren Brooks who is showing the young boys the way. This along with the introduction of Darren Gunner, who had a fine match and the returning Dean Parlour bodes well for the future of the young lions of Dagenham RUFC.
Once again coach Barry Robinson had nothing but praise for his team and is looking forward to the remainder of the season with great anticipation.
Team : Brooks, Fergie, Murphy, Meggs, Smith, I Warwick, Grayling, Blade, Cleasby, Macullam, French, Feeley, Gunner, Bone, Knowlden, Green, Parlour
14-10-06
Dagenham III RUFC ( 0 ) vs Woodford RFC Vets ( 46 )
Away Friendly
Dagenham’s third team came down to earth with a bump this weekend following the visit to a very strong Woodford vets side and although the score appears to be a trouncing it doesn’t adequately reflect the spirit and effort put in by the D’s young guns.
Ably lead by stand in skipper Darren “Avon” Brooks, the D’s put in some fine individual performances that at times took the breath away.
Man of The Match, Tony Mills, came closest for the D’s with a superb break beating 5 defenders only to be stopped short of the line. Tackle of the Match goes to the young pairing of Aaron Feeley and Ian Warwick as they dumped a rampaging Woodford back row forward into the pitch side bushes and some magnificent play by soon to depart scrum half Ben Cleasby who outstripped his opposite number time and again only to be stopped just short of the line. Cleasby returns to his native Australia before Christmas and he will be a player missed by the third team.
Coach Barry Robinson, paid particular tribute to his young and inexperienced pack who held their own against a very strong and experienced Woodford eight, but wants to thank all those who made a fine effort in the red and white on Saturday.
Back to Merit Table action next weekend when the D’s travel to Pegasus Palmerians
Team : Nelson, Fergie, Davenport, Bexfield, Murphy, I Warwick, Grayling, Brooks Cleasby, Macullam, French, Feeley, Gunner, Mills, Bone, Knowlden, Lewis
7-10-06
Dagenham III RUFC ( 26 ) vs Canvey III RUFC ( 28 )
Home BL division 8
Dagenhams newly formed third fifteen excelled themselves again this weekend following the visit of a well established Canvey Island III team in this BL Merit Table Clash.
The D’s Young Guns were determined to show the watching first team squad that they intend to parade their talents on the first team stage some time soon with some magnificent personal performances.
The D’s took the game to the visitors from the off with some fine breaks from centre by Chris Carpenter and superb support play from Ian Warwick at open-side wing forward. Carpenter opened the scoring for the D’s with a well taken try which was duly converted by Fly-half Joe Macullam. 7-0
This excellent start has been a signature of the D’s, 3’s this term and was further compounded by a well worked try from scrum half Ben Cleasby. Again Macullam stepped up to convert giving the D’s a dream start of 14-0.
However, Dagenham are only to aware of the power of the Canvey team whose mix of veterans and young guns make them a very difficult side to play against. Canvey duly put their powerful pack to good use scoring two well worked tries converting both for a share of the spoils at 14-14.
The second half started well for the visitors and they put the Dagenham boys under lots of pressure at set piece. This dominance allowed the visitors to take the lead with two more converted tries leaving the score at 28-14 with some 20minutes to play.
But as we know, as a club and to a man Dagenham never give up and some fine tackling allowed the scores to remain even. 3rd team coach Barry Robinson made some tactical changes to the side and the D’s stepped up the pace. With 15minutes to go the D’s scored again through skipper Dean Parlour this time Macullam was unable to convert 28-19.
The D’s began to pile the pressure on a tiring visiting side and with 10 minutes to go Second Row John Wonderling crashed over for a try to bring the scores back to within 4 points. This time Macullam, after some indecision at the kick, converted with Canvey players bearing down on him. 26-28.
The Dagenham men then went for the kill only for time to beat them leaving the score at a narrow but commendable defeat of 26-28.
Already, after only 5 league games of the season the newest, but brightest, members of the Dagenham family, have already shown they don’t intend to roll over for anyone this season and will give as good as they get.
Team : Nelson, Spure, Davenport, Wonderling, T Warwick, I Warwick, Blade, Parlour, Cleasby, Macullam, Mills, Bone, Carpenter, Grayling, Knowlden
Subs: Fergie, Bexford
30-9-06
Dagenham III RUFC ( 19 ) vs Westcliffe IV RFC ( 19 )
Away BL division 8
Dagenhams newly formed third fifteen made the long trip to Westcliffe this week in fine form following last weeks close fought win over Bancroft, the D’s third XV first merit table win ever.
The D’s thirds are made up of a good mix of young up and coming starlets and some of the older heads of the club and are getting used to the bustle of competitive rugby making great strides every week.
Going away 4 players short, suffering the knock on effect of 1st team call ups via our second team, the D’s third team were looking to put in a performance that showed pride in the badge and came away with the unlikeliest of draws with a fantastic performance.
The D’s took the lead through a fine solo effort from Jack Knowlden which shocked the hosts into action who hit back with a powerful push over try. However, this seemed to be Knowldens day as he scored a magnificent try breaking from halfway and beating several opposing players to put the D’s back in front 14-7.
Westcliffe hit back hard at the D’s with the next two scores leading Dagenham by 19-14, but in true Dagenham style the boys showed fighting spirit in abundance being ably lead by skipper Dean Parlour to bring the game level at 19-19 with a fine try from the diminutive Josh Graydon having handed off his opposite number to score in the corner.
The D’s third team have made a magnificent start to their first BL League campaign with 2 draws, one win and one loss from their first 4 games. And credit should be given to Barry Robinson for his excellent recruitment policy and his never say die attitude. This team is full of potential and passion for the club and it shows by their repeated beating of the odds to return points regularly in the league.
Well done to all the boys Fantastic effort Lads!!!!!!!
Team : Semain, Murphy, Powell, Parlour, Cleasby, Macullam, Feeley, Green, Knowlden, Bone, Graydon
23-9-06
Bancroft III 10 vs Dagenham III RUFC 14
Home League division 8
Dagenham 3rd team took on Bancroft 3rd team. The game started lively with side show bob going over, for a well earned try. Brian Wren converted 7-0, Bancroft then scored a try 7-5. Then Daggers youngsters took over, with Ian scoring a try under the post, an easy conversion for Brian Wren 14-5. The tackerling by Dagenham was out of this world, Bancroft then scored again 14-10. The play by the older players, deano, jonny Wunderling, and Darren Brooks was an inspiration to the younger players, not forgetting the player on loan from Saracens, Brian Wren, the team is now looking forward to next week when we go to Westcliff.
Team: Nick-Tony Spur, Darren Brooks, Rocky, Murphy, Billy Bexfield, Jonny Wunderling, Deano, Mark Minikin, Brian Wren, Rayn Bone, Frenchy, Ian, Josh, Tony Mills, Mark Smith
16-9-06
Kings Cross Steelers RFC 62 vs Dagenham III RUFC 8
Home League
The 3rd team played their 2nd large game yesterday, against a very strong Kings Cross Steelers side, but the spirit of the team never gave up.
We lost 8-62, but we had so many good things going for us, we had at least 8 new players, which will
take time to gel.
With the older heads helping the younger ones, this team will go from strength to strength.
I would like to thank Deano for a great job as captain, Jonny Wunderling for beating the traffic, and all the players for all the effort that thay put into the game.
well done lads
Barry