copyright: andy carroll 2006-07

Founded in 1879 for the purpose of playing Rugby Union

Affiliated to The Rugby Football Union, The Middlesex County Rugby Football Union and the London Society of Rugby Referees.  Associated with the Essex County Rugby Football Union.

Under 14

14 October 2007 - U14 Suffer Narrow Defeat at Braintree

Upper Clapton U14s were unlucky to lose in the last seconds of their latest league fixture at Braintree on Sunday.

The whole team put in a fantastic performance with huge tackles being put in all over the pitch there defence was fantastic. After conceding an early try the pack started to put pressure on the home team giving the backs a chance to run on to good ball. Attacking down the centre of the field a ruck formed on the Braintree 22 Meter line one of the home team props came in from the side and a penalty was awarded Captain Rhys Brown tossed the ball to Conner Reynolds who calmly kicked to record our first points of the day. From the restart Braintee attacked fast and hard and only some great defensive tackles kept out the home team. Some of the best tackles were put in by Martin Platais, Taylor Painter, and the two smallest players Lewis Dorling and Dale Stally who showed no fear in tackling players at least twice there size. With time running out in the half and the ball on our 22 the forwards turned over the ball scrum half Ross Biles fed the ball out to Lewis Burke who put his head down and set off down field side stepping past the Braintree backs to touch down under the posts Conner added the conversion. 10 - 5. Braintree kicked off and a lack of alertness in the Clapton defence let the no 8 through to score in the corner, Half Time 10 -10. 

The second half started with Braintree forcing the visitors back the Clapton defence held out for a while but we finally were forced to concede a try. From the restart the Clapton team pressed forward and laid siege on the Braintree line after a series of 5 meter scrums hooker Lee Nicolaou broke through and with two forwards hanging off him crossed to score. Conner once more kicked the extra points. With time running out Braintree piled forward looking for points, great defence again kept the home team out and forced them back to the 22. The ref saw an infringement at the ruck which led to a Braintree penalty in front of the post which was kicked the final whistle went to leave the Clapton team heart broken. The second half was 35 minutes long which left the team wondering why so much time was added to the end of the match.

Well played lads you can hold your heads high you did yourselves and the club proud. Man of the match went to Adam Power.

U14 Essex League

22 September - Upper Clapton 29   Eton Manor 36

Upper Clapton U14s started there league campaign with a narrow loss to Eaton Manor on Sunday. The home team were on the back foot right from the kick off and were soon two tries and a conversion down. But slowly they worked themselves back into the match putting pressure on the visitors only to concede another try and conversion to go 19 – 0 down. A change was made at no 8 with Dobbin replacing the injured Elmer . The pack started to get the upper hand and win some quality ball to release the fast running backs. After winning a ruck on the Manor 22 meter line fly half Reynolds fed the speedy Burke who left the defence floundering to score under the posts. Reynolds conversion attempt bounced back of the crossbar.

Half-time 5 – 19

Into the second half the Clapton boys pulled out all the stops tearing into there opposition using the wind to good effect to pin them back inside there 22. On being awarded a penalty Reynolds elected to kick for goal, his kick bounced off the right hand upright inside centre Platais was the quickest to react scooping the ball up and running in to score. The conversion was missed. On the home teams next attack a 3 man lineout was called and from a perfect throw from Power, Dobbin sprinted out of the back field to take the long ball and burst through a flat and static defence to touch down under the posts. Reynolds hit the conversion. The next try was from Reynolds after good work by the forwards he wriggled his way through with two Manor players hanging of him. He also kicked the extra points. The visitors hit back with two quick tries to lead 29- 24. Clapton rallied and put the pressure on, backs and forwards tackled like demons to try and score but Manor weathered the storm, broke out and scored there last try and conversion. With game nearly over Clapton put together a flowing move the ball flying though the backs Dobbin joined the line taking the ball at pace and score the final points of the day. A great game was played by all the team and anticipation is high for the next match.