Sometimes as a coach you need to take responsibility this week I take full responsibility sorry boys, last game of the season away to barnet, I should of stuck with my original intentions of not playing this fixture due to lack of players, just wanting to play a game of rugby I decided to play as the away team said they were short as well,
Went there with 14 they had 19/20 players not the best of starts, referee aka maverick white shirt and aviators started the game brilliantly the away team was playing with 15 us 14 then once told reduced to match us, game started strong by both teams scoring, then maverick who still had his outfit on the whole time started to make the game his show, barnet played some good rugby and put a couple of scores on us with help because we were down to 11 players with Barnet still had 14 on the pitch with maverick not even noticing what was happening this was probably due to him doing his own stretches when the game is being played unreal, a strong effort from our boys who all put in a shift, just before half time some amazing decisions from Mav again help the away team even more, forward passes high tackles there linesman helping his mate ref the game saw barnet comfortable, we had to abandon the game at half time as epping was down to 10 men now through injury’s etc, not the best way to end the season but i would just like to thank all the boys this season who turn up week in week out playing, training and giving it there all, again I do apologize to you all boys for agreeing to this fixture

Man or match maverick this week

Training Wednesday 6-7
All new players welcome

U16’s

We played Chelmsford in our last game of the season for the U16’s at home in a really good competitive friendly and we followed it up with our end of season awards and a party to celebrate our season together.

We started really well, putting the pressure on, working through phases and put the first points on the board with an excellent backs move off a scrum inside their 22 - Luke Simpson scored it coming in off the wing through the middle with a great line - try converted.

Chelmsford responded in the corner.

Epping scored next with an interception and almost whole field run in from George Walker, once he is clear no-one is catching him - try converted to make it 14-5.

Chelmsford responded again in the same corner to bring the score to 14-10. They then scored 2 more before half time which created the scoreline gap they needed making it 14-24 at HT.

Our last try was a forwards effort again following a scrum - our scrum was very good throughout by the way - with an effort held up on the line soon followed by a tap penalty tipped to Frankie Stephens running on with pace and staying alive in contact on the try line by rotating to ground the ball - nice work those involved.

A few trips to the sin bin for both teams (high tackles, dissent and an attempted trip) took some of the energy out of the game in the second half but the teams remained well matched and played til the end. It wasn’t a nasty game at all but 4 or 5 sin bins were issued providing learning points for the players going forward into colts next season.

Final score 19-31.

The performance was especially pleasing considering we were playing a few out of position, including new potential players and we were missing key decision makers (in the backs especially) but that was hardly noticeable at times - testament to how much better we are now thanks to everyone’s hard work this season.

MoM as selected by opposition was George Walker whose pace was a threat throughout the game and stopped attacks with excellent tackling especially when he filled in at full back.

End of season awards went as follows:
Clubman - Jonnie Bayles
Advanced Performance - Harvey Hellett
Parents Player - Reub Obeney
Players Player - Reub Obeney
Coaches Player - Xavier Alexander

Big shout out to the lads that have been injured this season but still showed up at games and participated socially - every little helps in a game like rugby and this epitomises what is so great about this bunch of lads!

All the best to all the boys with their GCSE’s and hope you get what you need for your next steps.

We tour to Amsterdam, staying at Center Parc de Eemhof and including a visit to Leonard Cowper, day trip into Amsterdam and playing rugby at RC Waterland this weekend.

We are training Wednesday - new players always welcome. 7pm at the club!