First Silverware for the 2s !!

This season just keeps getting better, having started the campaign in difficult circumstances the second team have gone from strength to strength this season and rounded the year of perfectly with a superb showing in the BL Merit Table Plate Final on Saturday.

Starting the game on the big 1st XV pitch at Bancroft you could be excused a few nerves as Mavericks have a very young and fit looking squad however the older heads in the Dagenham side played to a perfect game plan right from the off

The early exchanges saw Mavericks with good territory however Ds defensive effort was magnificent and after 10 minutes of pressure centre Nathan Farrell broke through to open the scoring. James Hogg added the extras for 7-0

Ds scrum was dominant through the first half and some excellent work from the front row saw a massive drive for a push over. Number 8 Liam Power touched down and with Hogg again adding the extras the 14-0 lead was well deserved

The Dagenham lads pushed on hard and again some excellent work from Jack Matthews at 9 and Hogg at 10 saw centre Farrell run in his second for 19-0

With the half closing out Mavericks started to exert some pressure but a spilled ball in the Dagenham 22 was pounced one by winger Maleek who kicked on and chased down the ball before stepping left and right to score the try of the game for a half time score of 24-0

Half time saw the coaches step in with some words of advice regarding game plan, as it was clear the second half would be much tougher with the lungs starting to burn and the hill climb in front of them

Mavericks scored early in the half for a well worked try, conversion being missed for 24-5

The game descended into an arm wrestle now as the Dagenham lads tried to slow the game down and a yellow card to Stuart Ali for a high tackle put extra pressure on but Mavericks kept pressing.

Once again the defending was excellent and a quick turn over in the Dagenham half was played through hands for outside centre Jake Yellop to run in Dagenhams final score under the posts for 31-5

The game was all but done yet Mavericks would have the final say with a converted try for a final score of 31-12

Head coach Brian Wren had this to say after the game

‘What a fantastic game and effort from the 2s. I don’t get the chance to see much of their games but I was very impressed by some of the play. There were some very good individual performances as well as a great collective effort for the win.

It’s amazing to see how far we as a club have come in the past 12 months and the second team lads have played a massive part in that.

They fully deserved their win and I’m thrilled with the first silverware of the season. Captain Gary Francis and his team deserved that!’

So the season ends for our second team and on a high! Well done lads, superb effort this year

Team: Andrews (Ali) Evans Purton Emilio Newson (Fergie) Tia Shadi Power Matthews Hogg Francis (Warner) Farrell Yellop Maleek (Ballard) Hogwood