Young EELS start slow but left the Lions tamed!

The EELS opted blood a few youngsters with only one player above the age of 19 in the starting 13. Coach Sherwood was still positive for good result. The first half started slowly with EELS making many mistakes trying too much with the ball in possession, but it took 10 minutes to get on the score line with the returning Winger Mike Hogan touching down for his first of the season. Another sloppy 10/15 minutes of play with eels on their own try line for most of it managing to withhold 6 penalty’s in a row with some great defense from back rower James Vogel, EELs capitalized on his big hit and with some quick plays Callum Whitcombe as ever at hand to cross under the posts and Haywood Converting leaving the score 12-0 with 15 to go of the first half.

With 10 minutes to go half backs Lawrence Haywood and Joe Heavey got the control from the forwards they was looking for and two great team tries followed one from Haywood himself and the other for Whitcombe. Jamie Impey leaving the field with a knee injury after a solid start.With the half almost up Cambridge added some last minute pressure from the left which is where most of the threats come from in the attack if any. With last play seeming to be called another tackle was played and the few Cambridge players that had started to walk in for half time huddle quickly turned around and made the most of the a few of the eels defense going missing due to last play call. A four point lessoned learnt for the young EELS leaving the half time Score 20-4.

Coach Sherwood relaying to his Young side that a better side would of take the defensive chances we gave away and made the most of our unstructured play. Young Hooker Billy Mullen was replaced by Andy Parkyn he did a great deal in speeding the play of the ball up. Another change was Haywood for Chambers with EELS wanting more structure and direction in the second half they didn’t expect the success that would come with it taking 7 minutes for chambers to cross the line with forwards creating more space across the field gaps began to open. Excellent support plays from Co-Captain’s James Vogel and Joe Heavey, both, adding there tally’s on the scoreboard. Callum Whitcombe completing his Hat-Trick EELS was in full flow with the score doubling to 48-4 only 15 minutes in to second half. With Big Dean Mcfarlane Capping off the scoring before we went in to slow lack lustre last 20minutes.

The last twenty minutes seem to drag with Lions players down injured and suffering a few concussions but still managing to make ground with some great Kick Restarts but failing to back it up with a solid attacking set. Falling off tackles at this time EELS structure waning there self with a slight over confidence ending up conceding with a sniping run from dummy half from bring the Home teams tally to 10. EELS had a four try’s left in them before the game was over with Chambers sealing his hat trick with a double and Younger brother Harry also touching down. Winger Simon wood sealed the win with a great finish leaving the score 76-10.

With the oldest player in the starting line up at 23 years old Dean McFarlane gave a strong performance and was a go to guy for solid platform in a lack of structure game. EELS take on league & local rivals this Thursday night at Westcliff RFC 8pm KO.