Grand Final - Elmbridge Eagles (38) v Brentwood Eels (18)

On a hot summer’s afternoon, Eels gave a plucky performance in the seasons Grand Final against Elmbridge Eagles at the home of the London Bronco’s. Try as they might, the Eels came up against a fine Eagles team, who tackling and line running was the best Eels had come up against all season. That said, the boys gave their very best and played until the final whistle, indeed, scoring a try with the last play of the match, showing a never say die attitude. Ultimately it was not to be, and Eels had to settle for the runners up spot in their first full season together, a great achievement from the boys, Danny and his team of helpers.

Eels received from the kick off, and it was clear they had their work cut out, as the physical tough tackling from the Eagles side held any real gains in yardage by Eels. Jay Jennings finally being carried into touch for a turn over ball.

4th Min ; Eels managed some big hits of their own to regain possession, Femi breaks the line to make some good ground but first tackler in strips the ball away. Not giving up, Femi is back on his feet to regain possession from an Elmbridge knock on.

7th Min ; Some good handling see’s Nathan cut between the Eagles defence, but the final pass is knocked on by Joe Edwards and Eels lose possession.

8th Min ; Eagles make good ground with their first three carries in to the Eels half, and some quick ball see’s Bryn Bradley step off his right foot to beat the Eels defence and go over for the first score of the game. The physically imposing Bradley was to have a significant say on the final outcome of the day. Bradley converts. Eagles 6 Eels 0

10th Min ; Some excellent handling from Eels leaves Frankie charging at the line , and his pass to Zack only yards out looks a certain try, but Eagles covering defence manage to bundle him in to touch with a last gasp effort.

12th Min ; Eels are managing to hold the Eagles in their own half with some great tackling from Frankie and Freddie, and Zack shows it’s technique that counts with a great tackle on Eagles last play. A huge kick from Eagles leads to Kieran knocking on, and Eagles retain possession.

16th Min ; This time Josh manages to evade the Eagles defenders but the final pass is knocked forward by Nathan.

17th Min; Zack takes a high ball near the Eels try line, and under pressure from 3 Eagles players , shows fleet of foot to evade the tacklers and gain some good territory .

20th Min ; Eagles are starting to pile on the pressure near to the Eels try line, and it looks like they score as they cross the line, but three Eels players wrap the Elmbridge player up, and Zack gets under the ball to keep the score line the same.

22nd Min; The pressure finally tells as Bradley shows some powerful running that leads to his , and the Eagles second try. Bradley converts. Eagles 12 Eels 0

25th Min; Eels hold out till half time, Josh in particular with two good tackles and a great take form a high ball

HT Eagles 12 Eels 0

28th Min ; It’s not long before Eagles increase their lead. Trying to run the ball from defence, Zack is carried in to touch and the ball is turned over, and from the resulting play Iwan Stacey scores from close in. Conversion is missed. Eagles 16 Eels 0

30th Min ; Eels look to get back in the game, and are fighting hard to cross the line inside the Eagles 22, but a penalty is given, and the quick thinking Bradley taps and goes, catching the Eels defence napping, and gallops the length of the pitch to score his third try. Conversion missed Eagles 20 Eels 0

33rd Min ; A fine break from Malacky, beating two Eagles defenders , and from the next phase of play Frankie leads the Eels to within 5 yards out.  This time Eels make the most of their forward play, and Joe Edwards goes over from close range to get eels on the score board. Josh converts from under the posts. Eagles 20 Eels 6

35th Min; A thumping tackle from Nathan leads to Eels regaining the ball, and Zack’s jinking run gets Eels 30 yards forward.

37th Min ; Eels to within 10 yards of the Eagles line, but under intense pressure Joe Ridgewell knocks on and Eels lose possession.

39th Min ; More good handling from Eels leads to Zack feeding to Aiden, but yet again the Elmbridge defence stands firm and carries him in to touch just yards from the line.

41st Min; It’s that man again as Bradley scores his fourth try, showing great speed to outpace the Eels defence and score under the posts. Bradley converts Eagles 26 Eels 6

43rd Min ; Eels showing a great attitude in the sapping heat. Nathan again with a great run and Frankie carries two Elmbridge tacklers and the ball over the line form close in. Josh converts  Eagles 26 Eels 12

47th Min ; After some sustained pressure on the Eels 22, Nathan Kosbab finally cuts through the Eels defence to increase the Eagles lead again. Bradley converts  Eagles 32 Eels 12

49th Min ; Eels battle manfully to hold the Eagles attack, but Ollie Mathews shows good strength to cross under the posts. This time it’s Charlie Mayhew with the successful conversion. Eagles 38 Eels 12

51st Min ; With the game clearly out of reach, Eels showed a fantastic attitude by not giving up, and with the last play of the game, a strong carry from Frankie leads to Femi being carried over the line with the help of three Eels team mates. Josh converts Eagles 38 Eels 18

FT Eagles 38 Eels 18

Well done to both teams.

Match report provided by Jim Chapman. Thanks Jim!