Water Sports at Billericay

After a few weeks of lopsided results it was agreed this week to send the new-look combined 2nd team to play their Merit 6 West fixture against Billericay 2nds.

Those that could source petrol made their way up the A12 into deepest, darkest Essex to find a well drilled Billericay team already doing a warm up in the rain!

The Dagenham men got changed and ventured out into the adverse weather conditions for the afternoons proceedings.

After a few Beauty School Drop-outs (must have been raining) the men in red and white had to start the game with 14 men.

The game kicked off and from the start the hosts dominated early using their big number 8 and quick fly half. They scored 3 tries in fairly quick succession. The visitors regrouped and had now warmed up. The Dagenham pack dominated the scrum and put some real pressure on the hosts. The greasy conditions meant they couldn’t quite use their pacey backs to full effect.

The Central Park men spent large amounts of time camped in the opposition 22 with help of the boot of Jack Parr and line-out throwing and catching by Chris Warner and Gary Francis. They just couldn’t get over the try-line.

They were unlucky not to chalk up any points of their own in the first half, the closest chance coming from a brilliant kick and chase from Joe Daniels that just took an unfortunate bounce.

2nd half kicked off and with these conditions there were inevitably a lot scrums! The ball resembling a bar of soap in some instances!

The hosts again used their marquee players to great effect to score a flurry of tries. But some great defence from the visitors, holding the ball up over their try line a couple of times and tackles being put in by Jermaine Darkwa, Taz and Jordan Yang prevented more.

Again the visitors had numerous chances which finally paid off around 5 minutes from the final whistle. Dylan Pena went on a storming run through the Billericay defence, at one point all 15 Billericay players chasing him from one side of the pitch to the other! He was finally tackled around 5 meters out but a few pick and drives from the forwards meant Kennie Fricker was finally able to flop over the whitewash for a well deserved try. Jack Parr converting.

Final score: Billericay 41 Dagenham 7

Thanks to everyone that pulled the shirt on, a great effort from all. Even the Billericay captain stating that the scoreline flattered them. Dry weather and a full 15 would have made a significant difference I’m sure!

Team:
S. Ramsden, C. Warner, Germanus, Newson, A. Evans, Fricker, Daniels, Taz, Parr, Dowdall, Jermaine Darkwa, Pena, G. Francis, Yang

Tries:
Fricker

Conversations:
Parr