Champagne Rugby from the Men in Red and White

Dagenham welcomed Clacton RFC to Central Park on Saturday looking to build on their opening day win and did just that with a superb display of running rugby

As usual the wind was howling but the day remained dry, which meant the Dagenham running game could be put into full effect

A number of players were unavailable for this weekends fixture along with a couple of late cry offs and a 3rd minute game ending injury to Lock George Wren meant the early passages took some adjusting to, however this season we have a squad with a significant amount of depth and this showed as the game was played at a super fast pace displaying some core skills that wouldn't be amiss in Japan right now

The game, as always with Clacton, was a fierce contest with some massive hits from both sides and some neat play from both too.

Dagenham opened the scoring through number 8 Mitchell Sinfield who had another fine game, further scores came from the excellent Lewis Pruce who bagged a hatrick, Captain Nathan Farrell, brothers Jordan and Jermaine Darkwa also hit the whitewash with Jermaine getting 2, Billy Allington scoring another powerful try before Jordan Calverley touched down

All this good work was totally eclipsed though by Man of The Match Billy Driver. Acting as stand in goal kicker Driver absolutely tore into the Clacton back line scoring a magnificent 5 tries and a host of conversions for a personal points tally of 47 !!! and a final score of 97-7 to the home side

That's 2 bonus point wins on the bounce and a really great result

DoR Brian Wren had this to say after the game

'I feel for Clacton today, we have massive respect for those lads which means we bring our A game every time we play them. They have a competitive pack of forwards and some very good players in the backs. And when they come they go full out for 80 minutes and that means we have to be on point throughout the game.

We were outstanding today, with the loss of 5 players to unavailability and then a cry off or two early on Saturday we got the chance to look at a lot of lads who maybe wouldn't have played today and they all had superb games.

Chris Warner started at hooker again and looked much more comfortable after his first start last week, his line out stuff was very good. Prucey had one of his best games for the club and was superb. Mitchell Sinfield played 75 minutes as a lock which is out of his comfort zone yet again produced a super performance and then you come to Billy Driver.

Billy has been a constantly top performer as you'd expect given his pedigree but today was a step up. 47 points from one player is an amazing achievement and he does it with such style its ridiculous!

We are looking very strong this year and I think it will take a very good side to beat us, selection will now be a massive headache but thats a great position to be in. Some of our play today, particularly the off loading was exceptional.

I just want to congratulate Clacton on a superb effort today, they never give up and are a credit to their club and rugby in Essex. They never shy away from the challenge and ive got nothing but respect for that attitude'

Next up in the league see's Dagenham travel to bottom club Old Brentwoods in what we are sure will be another challenge

Well done lads a great game to watch and credit to Clacton for a great effort

Team: S Jones, C Warner (J Warner), T Bramley, G Wren (J Parkin), D Wren (Jermaine Darkwa), Jordan Darkwa, J Jones, M Sinfield, J Cook, J Calverley, N Farrell, L Pruce, B Driver, B Allington, P Cook