2nds get revenge on Basildon

Basildon III’s were this weeks visitors to Central Park, no doubt confident of victory having won 9 on the bounce. However, Dagenham’s form of late has been equally as impressive and it was clear from kickoff that this was to be our biggest test of the season.

Dagenham started well, building pressure and managing the game intelligently which resulted in Shadi running in for our first score of the day. Converted by Lumpy. Basildon replied almost immediately through their massive forward pack, capitalising on a lack of communication from the kickoff to level up the scores. An unconverted try from Hogwood and a penalty from Lumpy stretched Dagenham’s lead out further. Basildon, however, struck back with two try’s of their own before the half time whistle making the half time score 19-15 to the visitors.

Despite trailing at half time, Dagenham refused to let their heads drop, showing real character to regain their lead just after the kickoff. Skipper G.Francis sprinted determinedly after Lumpy’s kick with a running style resembling that of a headless chicken, allowing him to pounce on the resulting mistake by the Basildon receiver. It was a testament also to Dagenham’s defence that we managed to keep Basildon scoreless for the entire second half, consistently big hits from the forward pack and a backline defence led by Grint, Evan and the back three easily contained anything Basildon offered in the second half. After some sustained pressure from the D’s in the Basildon half, Lumpy managed to convert one of Basildon’s many ruck infringements to stretch the lead out to 25-19. Dagenham’s fourth try came as a result of some great team play, with C.Warner confidently taking a loose Basildon kick and putting Ballard into space. A few fake kicks and questionable dummies later, Ballard fed Kingy who sprinted towards the line before floating a pass out to Will who ran in under the posts. 32-19. Dagenham were in control at this point with physical runs from Drakey, Grint and Yellop giving us some momentum. Dagenham’s fifth and final try came as a result of a skewed drop kick by Lumpy, in possibly his only bad kick of the game, which Hogwood rose impressively to catch, beating two Basildon players in the process. Final score 39-19.

Special mention must go to the Dagenham pack, who fronted up brilliantly against our biggest and most physical opponents all season. Good work from Shadi and Kingy in the breakdown also provided many a penalty which allowed Dagenham to build the pressure they did. Finally, credit must be given to Lumpy who’s boot put us in all the right positions and kept the score ticking over from 10.

Team:
Tank, A.Evans, Drakey, Emilio, Garwood, Kingy, Shadi, Yellop

W.Evans, Lumpy, G.Francis, Grint, Evan, Hogwood, Warner

Ballard, D.Francis, Lyme

Try’s: Shadi, Hogwood x2, G.Francis, W.Evans
Conversions: Lumpy x4
Penalties: Lumpy x2