Eels back to back Division 1 Grand Final Winners!

Eels lined up against their Essex Rivals for the fourth time this season but this had a different meaning it was the Grand Final. Key players either missing in Callum Whitcombe who was representing London Broncos Academy or injured for EEL’s meant them fielding an even younger side than usual with only four players over the age of 20yrs old the rest 16-19, but Sherwood was still confident his Elvers would turn into EELs on the day.

Eels starting were they left off in the last two games starting well with a well worked try and a sublime line from Mike Hogan at Centre strolling under the posts untouched. An error following the kick off and Spartans had replied twice within quick succession the score 12-6 after 15 minutes. The eels were controlled possession and spent a good while testing and teasing the Spartans defense with tactful kicks and plays. Until a preplanned kicking move put the Southend fullback under pressure forcing him to spill the ball and Charlie Chambers kick on the ball until under the posts and convert to tie the scores 12-12. Southend finally using the their size advantage to claw back in the game to score the points that would take them into the lead at half time, but the Brentwood had the last word with them noticing a few tired players on Southend’s right flank after their relentless attack Captain James Vogel steamed through before offloading to Georgie Treffers who outpaced his winger to score just shy of the posts which chambers failed to convert. Half time 16-18.

Second half started as it ended with Southend looking slow and lazy at times Brentwood capitalized with their fearless hooker who dominated the Southend’s half back in defense and was now on the score sheet. EEL’s kept the ball rolling with 17 year old and later voted Man of The Match Jacob King who grabbed the first and second tries of his hat-trick. Kings return work from kicks was electric all day and really helped Eel’s get on the front foot when regaining possession. The Scoreboard now looking good at 32-18, Brentwood playing with 12 men due to an injury to Damore Balgourn Southend made the most of the extra man whilst he was being substituted to dot over for a converted try. The young pack responded magnificently with big hits coming in from 16yr old Connor Reed and David Animashuan, The ball was returned to eels. With strong running all day from elder Tom Riches and Calvin Bradley Eels were on the Spartans line for what seemed like an age with 5 penalties given and a warning but no Cards from the referee. Talisman Charlie Chambers dotted over for a trademark try. Spartans replied with a dubious try with a Spartans player obstructing an eel’s player in the process of scoring. This only seemed to spur on the eels to crush any hopes of a Spartan comeback with poor discipline kicking in from Spartans again the referee not going to his pocket eels scored a similar try to their last this time chambers suppling Jacob King the final part of his hat-trick on the wing. With 5 minutes remaining the scores were 44-28 with Sherwood urging his players to keep the ball alive to muster a final score through the Spartans tired defense. 17 year old Lewis pile who later found out he was playing with a broken hand offloaded to Damore Balgourn who showed his power throughout the game but this time showed his paced as they caught the Spartans fullback in the line and Damore raced in from halfway with the try converted by chambers the final score was hit 50-28. Southend tried to through everything at the eels in the last minutes but the final whistle was blown whilst they were still driving the Spartans back.
As Brentwood Eels will be in the East of England premiership next year at their new home at the Old Brentwood’s club and also with over twenty youth players representing the club at this year’s origin series the highest out of any club in the south east things it’s an exciting time to be a part of the club. Coach Sherwood had this to say “We have played Southend four times and only won twice but in the end it was the two that mattered, which I put down to the players creating a culture for the young lads that are coming through. I am so proud of some of these young lads taking on some big guys the only other team we have lost to have won everything in the East of England this year. We got some great people behind the scenes and in the committee that are passionate about pushing our players through but it’s going to be tough next year but we have our targets set already and can’t what to get back to it.”