Sunday 4th Feb 2007
RFU U20's County Championship
The Army 18 - 18 Essex County RFU
Having been well beaten last year by the Army the County knew that they were going to be under pressure right from the start of this match. An unfortunate knee injury to Rochfords Danny Cleary meant that Danny had to miss the match but he was there to lend his support to the team. Despite this set back Essex better were better prepared this year for the challenge under the coaching team of Dean Cutting and Chris Green.
The match started well for the County and they were the first to put points on the board with a penalty by fly half Adam Kain. But the Army came back with a try and penalty of their own to take the lead 8 - 3. A further penalty without reply gave the Army an 11-3 lead but just before half time Essex reduced the deficit to 11- 8 with a well taken try by Will Sanson. With both teams sharing the honours equally it was an intreaging match as the teams broke for half time Essex knew they were going to have to work harder in the second half. After the break it was the Army who took the advantage of some slack marking as they broke through for a converted try to take the score to 18 - 8. The score made the Essex lads even more determined and they fought their way back into the Army 22. The pressure was transferred into a further penalty bringing Essex to within a score to catch them up. Its was the Army that were now under pressure trying to defend their line. It was Essex that were then able to break even with a rine try just before the final whistle, converted by Adam Kain to bring the score up to 18 all.
Coach Dean Curring said after the match " The boys certainly showed a lot of characheter to come back and earn the draw. Its a game they know they could have won but this was their first match and I am more than pleased with the effort they have all made. They started to gell as a team today and if they progress like this for the next two matches they definately stand a chance of getting through to the next rounds.
