Second-place decider is gritty battle for Brightlingsea (From Gazette)

Second-place decider is gritty battle for Brightlingsea

8:20pm Tuesday 24th February 2009 in Rugby

BRIGHTLINGSEA 35 STANFORD LE HOPE 3 Essex League division three THE Essex League division three second-place decider came down to a battle between Stanford le Hope’s power and Brightlingsea’s speed.

The visitors sent their big runners into the Brightlingsea midfield where they were stopped in their tracks and cut down by James Barbour and Jamie Williams.

Nevertheless, they enjoyed a period of sustained pressure that was not helped by Brightlingsea’s inability to effectively clear their lines.

However, as the half wore on, with only a single penalty goal to show for all their territorial dominance, it began to look like Stanford had punched themselves out and the Brightlingsea back row started to run them ragged.

A rapier thrust into the heart of the Stanford defence by Ollie Morgan was finished off under the posts by Mat Francis, with Mat Barbour adding the conversion and a further penalty with the last kick of the half to send the home side in 10-3 up at the break.

Stanford came out fighting but their pack was by now out on its feet and gaps started to appear.

Mat Rose and James Barbour butchered clear overlaps and Murray Wilson touched down for a try, but it was chalked off by the referee.

It hardly mattered, though, as Brightlingsea ran in four further tries in between and Mat Barbour slotted a penalty to take the final score to 35-3.

At last this Brightlingsea side had played to their potential, but there is work to be done if they are to prosper in Essex League division two next season.