EELS own worst enemy in error filled first away game!

With the previous week encounter being abandoned due to injury to a St Ives player, eels were feeling the cosh also with two players also missing the action this week due to injury Andy Parkyn (shoulder) and Mike Hogan also shoulder from a “chicken Wing” tackle from roosters no.9. A total of six changes were needed and putting a strain on the squad depth meant the team could only put out 16 players out of a possible 18, But with the return of Broncos Academy player Callum Whitcombe confidence was still installed.

It was Brentwood’s first away game in the premier so the team was keen to make a good impression and set the standard and they certainly did in some aspects defence, but overall Eels did not make the most of possession completing on set each half. The game started with St Albans making the most of their home pitch and kicking the ball deep in to an unmarked touch area which the referee deemed the eels were to restart with a kick from under the posts, Centurions made the most of possession and after two well defended sets eels gave a penalty away for offside and the thirds set were broken through letting. Eels regained the ball of the kick off only to throw away possession and draw Centurions in close to the eels line only for some last ditch tackling from Younger Chambers, Harry which led to a scrum to eels in front of their own try line, a set move on the first play led the elder chambers also the oldest player for the eels on the day at 24 years old, to run in the full length to draw the score 6-6. During this time Young Prop Charlie Parker had to leave the field with an injury flare up from the weeks previous “chicken wing” tackle attempt, so eels were left light in the pack against an ever changing experience pack.

A moment on madness from Whitcombe chip kicking a 20m restart was one of the eels worse brain farts of the day. Centurions obliged dotting down two phases later after attacking a half setup defence. The first complete set of the half for Brentwood come on 30 minute mark with great metres made by Cameron Furlong up the middle setup for a cutting line from Whitcombe who ran under the posts untouched. From the returning kick off he made it a double scoring off the first tackle from near enough the eels own try line which could of meant eels going into half time with a comfortable lead but the ever present mistakes were back and centurions again replied after relentless pressure and repeat sets leaving it 14-18 to eels at half time.

The aim of the second half was to cut out the errors by going back to basics, the eels proved they could score every time they had possession with the centurions defence seeming lack lustre at times but they certainly were the opposite in attack and started the second half well with arguably the best play of the game with eels trying their best with some big hits a crucial offload was made and centurions took the lead and didn’t let go. Eels failed to keep the ball either from simple ball handing errors, running out wide to early or obscure penalties from the referee the eels spent most of the second half defending and with eels down to 15 early on this was always going to be hard going. But there was a hope with Centurions Back Rower not controlling his temper all day the referee had no option but to sin bin. Which gave eels a break and the second completed set with big Cameron furlong going over for eels last try of the game chambers converted with immaculate precision all day and 100% conversion rate. This leaving the score 28-24 to centurions and a glimmer of hope of a result if the eels could hold on to the ball.

The head dropping moment was upon the eels with another error causing a repeat set on the try line with some heroic defence going in but also tiring it was a matter of time before the wall broke and a kick through was traced through but dubiously put down but the referee gave the try leaving the scores 34-24. A tired eel’s defence let in another two late tries to leave the final score 44-24 a slight flattering score line to St Albans who had easily 85% possession throughout the game and didn’t offer much defensively. Coach Sherwood had this to say “Errors killed us today and a good premier side will take advantage of those, but we showed some solid defence against some good set plays and proved we can score every time we touched the ball and from anywhere which is exciting, also had to make 6 changes to the starting line-up which definitely effected our structure, but take nothing away from St Albans they are a solid side but they boys definitely fancy their chances against them on another day”

Man of the Match was our youngest player 16 Year old Taine Burns who had a lot thrown at him down the right hand side in the second half and he defended brilliantly!

Next week sees eels at home to Hemel in the cup with a possible second team outing could be a big day for the club KO to be confirmed this week.