Open Age v St Ives Roosters

When Eels hosted St Ives they turned up with a squad of only 14 players which due to a few last minute drop outs it was the eels turn to face a full squad, both sides hoping that’s where the comparisons ended as last time the game was abandoned due to an injury to a roosters player. The Eels started slow on a very short pitch. St Ives with a host of Massive forwards it would mean hard work early in the tackle to stop the momentum but an early clash with the referee lead to him setting his stall out and awarding a penalty in the eels attack to Roosters who booted the ball up field and were over the line by 4th tackle. A great return from the Roosters powerful Centre led to him causally strolling over line with Callum Whitcombe in pursuit the ball was clearly knocked on in the tackle the referee still awarded the try and found themselves 12-0 down.

The Eels strived to get back into the game and a good 10 minutes of play went on with both sides competing but another strong carry from that Roosters Centre set them up for a great try with their half back going over untouched. The eels mounted pressure from the kick and with the referee giving the eels their first penalty a repeat set was needed for Brentwood to secure their structure and get Callum Whitcombe over for their first try. Another great battle transcended between both sides which eels coping with some Big carries a great turnover led to Cameron Furlong dotting down leaving the scores 18-10 with not long to go. Just before half time the eels were emptying the tank trying to get a score before half time and after receiving a penalty that looked set but in the process they lost Harry Chambers to injury which meant no more replacements. A quick tap was taken instead of kicking for points and St Ives had an easy set to make the scores 24-10 at Half Time.

With the message at half time to attack the kick off and raise the intensity hoping St Ives would not be able to keep up the pace. Kick off from chambers was a good one and the chase spot on good pressure meant a turnover on the Roosters 30m line which Winger Patrick Rourke scooted over under the posts evaded 5-6 defenders on the way. At 24-16 the eel receiving the kick knew they could control the pace of the game and a great take and 50m carry from Prop Calvin Bradley led to Callum Whitcombe Dotting down again from first phase ball after two on one with the full back. The Rain had started chucking it down temporarily and after catching a tricky kick off Powerhouse prop Damore Balogun lost the ball in contact 20m out, again giving roosters perfect ball and a chance to give their big pack a rumble and after a solid defensive set from eels a penalty was given for offside and Rooster momentum created another Try for another Big forward 30-22. The Roosters Handling let them down on the kick off and eels set up a set move for Callum Whitcombe to grab his Hat-trick.

With 20 Minutes to go the scores were 30-28 another drop from kick off by the eels led to Roosters applying pressure on for some big defense from some of the eels half backs to force a knock on. The eels going to what they know best a set move from near enough their own try line led to Callum Whitcombe dotting down after ghosting the fullback. Brentwood took the lead for the first time in the game 30-34. Eels their own worst enemy from the kick off dropping the ball in the wet conditions giving St Ives front foot ball and it wasn’t long before another big forward went flopped over the line. A Great carry from St Ives Centre led to a great spur of energy and the eels were tiring and a lack of concentration lead to their half back sneaking over and extending the lead to 42-34. The eels really frustrated with their selves did not give up and a high kick from chambers lead to Callum Whitcombe being able to slap the ball down to Jacob King who’s Jinking and Jiving was a massive problem for St Ives and dotted down in the corner, 42-40. Another first Phase try from Whitcombe sealed his fifth try of the day and Eels last a solid kick from chambers led to eels taking the lead for the final time 42-46. The referee mentioned two Minutes to be played. The eels played a slow set hoping for the time to run out as the team was tiring after making no replacements in the second half due to injury. Dissent from the eels team in frustration with the referee now mentioning there was 6 minutes to be played led to Roosters having a penalty deep in to the eels half which after a few massive collisions the eels defense was broken. The eels kicked off and another penalty was shortly awarded for a apparent High shot. The eels defense was shot and late try was conceded to make the final score 54-46.

Coach Sherwood had this to say “Proud of the boys today we played some unbelievable stuff and at times they could not handle our pace and power, which is Positive as we are still learning and Growing. They had a massive set of forwards and even more on the bench but overall, we need cut out dropping the ball on our own 20. That was the first time we had that referee too so there was definitely some teething problems along a few controversial decisions but at the end of the day we also made errors that cost us the game”

Eels find themselves having De Ja Vu with a leauge then cup double header with North Herts Crusaders Away at Hitchin RFC on the 2nd of July then again on the 9th in the East RL Shield Final which will be hosted at St Albans Centurions this year.