Southend 13 Bishop's Stortford 1st XV 39

Despite the long layoff, Stortford got off to a fast start and dominated the first four minutes, culminating in a 15 metre drive form a lineout, stopped just short of the line, but two more phases were enough to see prop, Adam Gelman over for a try. Tom Coleman’s conversion attempt failed only by the width of the post, from which it rebounded. Playing with the fresh breeze, Southend forced their way back into the visitors’ half and, after 10 minutes took advantage of a mistake by Stortford, playing the ball from an offside position after a knock-on to register 3 points. This score was cancelled out almost immediately by a Coleman penalty for handling at a ruck and he repeated the medicine 17 minutes into the game, when Southend were caught offside after a great solo run from his own 22 by fullback, Nick Hankin was halted only on the home 22. The home side then dug in and enjoyed a bit of territorial pressure, from which they managed to put their fullback, Mark Billings one on one against a Stortford front row, apposition which he exploited to the full to burst through a set his wing, Tom Gannon free to touch down out wide to take the score to 8-11. A few nervous minutes passed before the visitors reasserted their authority and, fafter another tremendous driving maul was held up just short of the Southend line, some impressive interplay amongst the backs saw Hankin in for a try out on the touchline after 38 minutes. Coleman’s conversion into the wind, blowing into his face and across the posts was remarkable and really lifted his side going into halftime 8-18 up.

The home side started the second half strongly and, aided by some casual Stortford play, they threatened to narrow the deficit. The visitors, though soon pulled themselves together and a tremendous burst by Sam Winter, showing great strength to break a double tackle provided Hankin with a clear run to the line for his second try 11 minutes into the half. Coleman converted comfortably and Stortford were now very much in control. The bonus point try came some 9 minutes later, when Gelman also registered his second touchdown, after a great run by No 8, Mark McCraith off the back of a scrum was halted just short of the line. Coleman’s easy conversion stretched his side’s lead out to 8-32. After 25 minutes, replacement scrumhalf, Arran Mahoney on for Tom Dougherty, who had made an impressive first start for the side, scored his side’s fifth try, darting down the blindside from a maul after a 5 metre lineout, being helped over the line by Hugh Michell, on as a backrow replacement. Once again, Coleman produced a fantastic touchline conversion. Southend, having fought doggedly throughout, now came back into the game and, 31 minutes into the half were rewarded with a forwards’ try after a quick tap from a freekick 5 metres from the Stortford line. The conversion flew wide to leave the final score at 13-39.

Stortford had clearly trained well during their long enforced layoff, as their quick start and sustained performance over the 80 minutes demonstrated, but they obviously benefitted from this game time, as standards steadily rose over the course of the match.