Eels back on top as they put 50 past Essex Rivals Southend!

Fielding a consistent squad that had been involved with previous losses Eels were keen to get in a good performance, the game picked up where the last left off with the kick off being fumbled by Brentwood and Southend touched down for an early try. Reaction after error was key in this game and receiving kick offs being a high error count through the day for the eels. However pressure from the kick off was also applied form eels and after repeat sets in front of the posts Charlie Chambers sniped in from the play of the ball. From the resulting kick off strong carrying from Dean Mcfarlane and Damore Balgourn again led to Callum Whitcombe breaking through a gap being chased the whole way to touch down under the posts.

The Introduction of two Youth players aged 16, Connor Reed and George Cole for the senior debuts. Connor wasting no time running dummy lines helped eels sustain pressure and his knack of being in the right place at the right time led to him making a 40 metre break only for an offload to go shy. The score board froze for a while due to two disallowed tries and a few errors leading to a lot of defending for the eels which Workhorse David Animashuan was reveling in. It was not long before eels were on the attack and after previously being penalized for “running into the referee” Preye Kongha touched down for a great team try leaving the half time score 16-6.

With the starting line-up back on Main aim of the second half was to keep structure and hope for the holes to appear in a tiring Southend defense. This happened a bit earlier then eels expected with a great set leading to Damore Balgourn going over untouched from 30m out. Another dropped kick off led to a solid Southend attack but great defense from co-captains James Vogel and Joe Heavey forced an error on the eels own try line, From the resulting scrum Lawrence Haywood and Ashley Somers ran a set move with him breaking up to half way to offload to Callum Whitcombe to speed home under the posts. From the resulting Kick off eels made another error and Southend mounted pressure out wide and touched down meaning it was 28-10 with 10 minutes in to the second half. Simon wood cashing in on another team try and Ashley Somers dotting down after taking a hard line at close range meant with 20 to go the result was settled at 38-10.

Disallowed try number three was upon the eels with Callum Whitcombe’s kick and chase disallowed for an alleged knock on. But it was not long before he touched down for his hat trick and the best try of the game with a great set with possibly everyone in the team touching the ball. The last quarter also led to the introduction of the Youngsters again with George Cole making the most of his time on the field taking a great support line of chambers to race in from half way only to be called back for a forward pass, a what-if moment that would of capped of a great debut and totaled eels fourth disallowed try. Clinton Dorling had the last word after making some big hits throughout the game found himself in acres of space in a carbon copy of Damore Balgourn’s earlier try.

Final score 50-14 and the Brentwood EELS also christening their new Home ground at Old Brentwood’s RFC who were great on the day hosting wise. Sherwood was “Extremely Proud” of his team today. Later mentioning that they “showed themselves how to react efficiently and positively to errors and negative traits that can affect your attitude within the game” The result meaning they have taken top spot in the league and if they beat Cambridge next Saturday also could be hosted at Old Brentwood RFC they will have one the league back to back years! However there is still play offs and grand Final to contend with.