Eltham

Saturday 6th September 2014

Felsted 1st XV v Eltham 
Result:  Won 47 - 26

The 1st XV squad had not enjoyed the most fruitful pre-season with several boys away on representative duty, but fitness levels were good for this time in the season and the desire to pull on the 1st XV shirt under the captaincy of the outstanding Malins was high amongst the old and new faces to the squad. Eltham who were confident their backline could be successful, were starved of any ball from the opening minutes when Lennon exacted an excellent turn over in the Eltham half, that saw Gilham cross the line 15 seconds later in the opposite corner. Felsted ran in some outstanding team tries over the next 35 minutes against a slightly shell shocked opposition.

 It is hard to pick a try that stood out, as they all showed the quality of the boys handling. Eltham did stem the flow in the 2nd half, but not before Jackson had finished off another slick move and support play by backs and forwards. It was clear that on an opening day when the XV played well, they still have many areas to improve on, but they can do this confidently after some stunning performances. Eltham should be commended for their scores late on and their hospitality.
 
Man of the Match: Harry Brooke




Felsted U16 A XV v Eltham (A)
Result: Won 38-5

With the core of the team having attended the full week of pre-season, we approached our opening fixture in a positive frame of mind. Our intentions were clear from the start as Glydon and Gilham got the team playing at a fast pace, putting width on the game and trying to play expansive, attractive rugby. Unfortunately the boys struggled with fundamental skills of accurate passing and safe catching, which gave Eltham the initiative for much if the first half. Fortunately our tackling was first rate, thwarting several strong Eltham attacks and with 20 minutes gone we eventually managed to put some phases together and after Brown made a typically surging run, Crafford picked up and drove over from close range for the first try of the game. Half time offered a welcome opportunity for us to refocus; suddenly passes started to stick and we were able to play with more fluency. A break from Gilham lead to an early try for Willis, which was promptly followed by Glydon breaking down the blindside who put Monks in for our third try and a 19-0 lead. Eltham rallied briefly and managed  to score an unconverted try before Lucas scored the first of his three tries. Surely an early contender for try of the season, he picked up a loose kick just inside the Eltham half, beat 6 players and scored under the posts. His three late tries resulted in a score-line that flattered us slightly, given our lackluster attacking performance in the first half but the result was well deserved and gave us an excellent start to the season.

Man of the Match: Archie Lucas