National Senior Vase 15 th October 2016

Cheshunt took the opportunity to field some new faces in the cup competition, they all performed

very well, but in the end the experience and size of a competitive outfit from Ely won the day.

Cheshunt had the better of the first quarter, after defending well from the kick off, Captain Josh

Willcocks secured good line out ball, which was fed along the back line, Sam Rule joined the line

from full back to provide an overlap and Connor Bolt was quickly up to the 22. Although Ely cleared,

Alec Lawrence was on hand to help continuation and get back into the Ely danger zone, following a

catch and drive from a lineout, C’s were first on the board when Reece Shoobridge converted an

early penalty after 9 minutes.

Ely struck straight back, some poor tackling allowed their big second row to crash through from 20

metres out, and he forced his way over in the corner, to take the lead 5-3.

The visitors at this stage were playing the better rugby, the pack were able to secure plenty of ball

for the back line to pose a threat, Shoobridge combining well at fly half with Lewis Voisey and Toby

Mulholland, and when another penalty was kicked up the line, the Cheshunt forwards drove over

from another catch and drive, Jake Phillips touching down and excellent conversion gave C’s a 5-10

advantage after 21 minutes.

The Green and Whites were still having the best of the territorial advantage, using the breeze to

keep the home side pinned back in their half, but on a rare excursion downfield, a break down the

right wing worked the ball deep into the Cheshunt 22, a couple of phases stretched the Cheshunt

defence and quick feet in the centre got them in near the posts, with the extras, Ely had the lead 5

minutes before the break, which they were not going to relinquish.

They extended their advantage with the last move of the half, their next visit into the Cheshunt half

signalled their third try, rather against the run of play and they led 19-10 at the break.

Two early tries in the second period put the game beyond the visitors and the home side were

beginning to dominate possession, Cheshunt worn down by the physicality of their opposition.

Although the result was never in doubt the Cheshunt youngsters never gave up and debutant Alec

Lawrence was rewarded with a try, sandwiched in between some more scores for the home team.

Cheshunt will reflect on the match as a useful exercise to blood some of the young talent, to see

what the future holds and the coaching staff will have been pleased by their determined effort.

Cheshunt return to league action next Saturday, when they visit St Albans.