EELS proud but humble with first game win in East of England Premier!

This Time Two Years ago it was the start of the eels journey in East of England leagues and what better way to unite that fact with playing the same fixture again in their first ever East RL Premier game. A move to the new home at Old Brentwood’s was the buzz of the off season and players new and old could not wait to get off to a great start the squad always short this time of year due to the ever growing union season and University exams but coach Sherwood was confident that his side could put to use what had been working well on the training paddock.
The game started with a fiery opening with North Herts kicking off it was eel to return it after, Front rower Charlie Parker with his first of many Devastating carries sucking in defenders only for the eels to get too carried away and miscount the tackle count so handover of possession to crusaders, this was the start of an error filled 20 minutes with both sides making fatal errors causing low completion rate but eels who lay trust in their shape and structure knew the holes would come eventually with half back chambers slipping through a gap to claim the first points of the game and with a solid conversion eels were up 6-0. The kick off being a problem for both sides either north Herts kicking dead or eels dropping the ball it was if neither team wanted the ball! A solid carry from north Herts back rower was driven back on the eel’s line and lost the ball in the tackle, eels looked to go quickly but lack of discipline from crusaders let the eels kick further up field through a penalty. Eels made the most of possession and scored easier than initially set out with Jamie Impey grabbing a double and half Back Charlie Chambers grabbing his second the eels were up 28-0. A few changes were made before half time and Herts made the most of another dropped kick off and scored before half time leaving the eels with a rather flattering score line of 28-6 at half time.
Eels already started the game with 17 man squad a man less then allowed and with Second Rower Anthony Sherwood off with a fractured hand and full back Simon Wood off with strained knee ligaments the bench was wearing thin for the start of the second half. North Herts started strongly picking up the pace of the game but heroic eels defence kept crusaders at bay but repeat sets after a few errors crusaders replied with two tries a with Centre Mike Hogan and Replacement forward Paul Cooper having to leave the field with injuries Concussion and knee the eels without realising were down to 12 men but still managed to complete a valuable set and score. Crusaders were showing the pace and execution that the eels once looked up to and have learnt from. Anthony Sherwood returning to the field an extra ball carry option but overall Charlie Chambers was too much for crusaders with the back three also getting eels out their own half and a big carry from Cameron Furlong eels were in touching distance of killing the game of a successful carry and offload from Sherwood meant Charlie Chambers converted his own try which crusaders replied leaving the score 40-20 with a minute to go eels now back to 13 men they pushed further for a last try with great team spirit this was achieved with Anthony Sherwood again breaking through to offload to younger Brother Harry Chambers who scored a deserved try for his trademark dogged attitude in defence!
Man of the Match however easily could have been either of the Chambers brothers but 18 year old Charlie parker was without a doubt the creator of most go forward for the eels. Coach Sherwood had this to say “Proud of the boys today we have worked really hard on our shape, structure and savviness, and I would say the score board is flattering but we were made to work for those tries as a team it’s going to be a tough year and with Roosters at home again next week, it’s only going to get tougher, just hope we heal up quickly back for next Saturday.” Eels are back at Old Brentwood’s Wednesday for training and Next Saturday to play St Ives Roosters!