This week saw the mighty Desperados host Canvey Vets. After appearing out of the changing room around 2 minutes before kick off (and with Tank AWOL performing the important task of collecting barrels of Cider) a rough 15 was formulated and the game kicked off. Both teams were rusty and not fully warmed up leading to many handling errors and scrums. The scoreboard was still at nil-nil within the first 15 minutes. Canvey managed first blood with a well worked try out wide. However the Desperados regrouped and camped themselves in the Canvey 22. A mis-calculated goal-line kick allowed Jack Knowlden to collect the ball, slip past a defender and collect his own kick to draw level. Halftime score 5-5.
The Desperados kept momentum after the break. David Genovesa, covering both Wing and Flanker, put some great pressure on resulting in a turnover in the Canvey 22. A few pick and go’s saw Taz come around a ruck and pass to yours truly. A quick hand-off and a double check I was over the try line, I dived to put the Desperados in the lead! Mould securing the conversion. There were hushed voices saying this could be a first victory for the Vets but unfortunately this was not meant to be. Canvey used their precision handling out wide to score a flurry of tries putting them firmly back in the lead. The hosts however were not finished. Tom Mould found himself out wide with space in front of him. A run turned into a jog, a jog turned into a walk before he finally collapsed over the try line. In between trying to sell knock-off aftershaves, Ian Fergie decided to take the conversion and miss. Next up on the scoreboard was Peter Power who slipped around and broke free from around 4 defenders and touched down under the posts leaving Mould and easy conversion. The last points of the day were Canvey’s with their suspiciously young looking winger darting down the touch line. Final Score 43-24 to the visitors. Both teams retreated back to the clubhouse for a well earned watering-can of beer!

Thanks to Canvey for coming down. We hope to see them for a rematch on 19th November.

Match photos can be found by clicking here

Desperados Squad:

Yates, Taz, Mould, Newson, P Power, Meggs, Coleman, Curly, Hunt, Tank, Wilson, Clarke, J Knowlden, Damo, Self, Genovesa, Morris, G Francis, I Fergie

Tries:
Knowlden
Newson
Mould
Power

Conversions:
Mould x 2

MOTM:
Mould