Cheshunt U17's vs Westcliffe U18 Academy

Cheshunt were up against it from the off, with key players away both the scrum and line-out were under pressure, but it was the quality of the play in the loose, in particular the work-rate at the breakdown and commitment to defence, which stretched a much bigger Westcliffe pack and eventually proved decisive.

Playing with the slope, the green and whites took control from the kick-off with a fine catch, set and box-kick deep into the Westcliffe half. Westcliffe secured good ball from the line-out but their kick to touch was sliced and Cheshunt were able to counter establishing a strong field position.

Cheshunt were solid through a few phases of play before releasing inside centre, Scott (Tank) Drew, on a wonderful line from 20m out. With some work still to do the Tank lived up to his name by smashing through the tackle before stepping the winger for a score in the far corner.

Cheshunt was suffering in the scrum and Westcliffe were able to exert even more pressure when they kicked to the corner following a penalty for not rolling-away at the tackle. Westcliffe clearly fancied their chances of a line-out ‘catch and drive’ to score but full credit to the Cheshunt forwards; they were able to disrupt the maul and in the process clear their lines with another big box-kick clearance from scrum-half, Louis (Dutch) Mulholland.

Westcliffe won the line-out from that kick but Cheshunt was able to disrupt their ball sufficiently to force a turnover and they were then able to release the Tank again for a replica of his first try.

Cheshunt’s third try came just before half-time with a rare line-out win which led to a good ‘catch and drive’. The forwards went through a couple of ‘pick and go’ phases led by Dutch, before second-row, Sean (the Crimson Chin) Chinn, went over for a try in the corner. Cheshunt had used the slope well and went in a comfortable 15 - 0 up at half-time.

The second-half was quiet by comparison with the first largely as Westcliffe really failed to exploit the slope and it was only when Cheshunt lost Josh (Chesty) Chesterman to the bin for persistent team infringement that they were able to pressure the Cheshunt 22.

Cheshunt’s tackling was starting to become the talking point of the game and it was the half-backs that were leading the way. The big Westcliffe forwards were starting to blow and Cheshunt were able to work their way back up-field with some nice handling leading to winger, Connor (the Groin) Latour, taking on his opposite number on the outside. Connor was stopped just outside the 22 but the quick ball from the breakdown gave fly-half, Daniel (the Jester) Cansick, the chance to chip over the top and chase in to score under the posts (showing some silky football skills on the way). That conversion was easier for Louis (1 from 4) and Cheshunt were now looking comfortable at 22- 0 with ten minutes on the clock.

Westcliffe had a late surge and with a few decisions going their way were able to get two late consolation scores but it was never going to be enough. It was an outstanding win for Cheshunt and full credit to the Westcliffe players and coaches who showed Cheshunt great respect at the end.

There were notably exceptional performances from Mike (Beef) Henderson, who worked relentlessly at the breakdown throughout the game and put in some huge hits; Louis (Dutch) Mulholland, whose go-forward drives, tackle and turnover count from scrum-half was more akin to an open-side flanker, and whose control of the game generally and the forwards in particular was outstanding; but it was fly-half, Daniel (the Jester) Cansick, who was the pick for ‘man of the match’ for outstanding tackling under the greatest pressure from the opposition, and superb-vision for his try – well done Daniel.

Dave Mulholland