MUD MUD AND MORE MUD GOOD WIN
Civil Service made the two hour trip to Westcliffe by coach and after a pleasant journey unusually round the M25 arrived in good time, on first look the pitch looked in reasonable condition after the appalling weather recently. However as soon as you tried to walk it was apparent it was a quagmire and verging on unplayable, but not wishing a postponement at such a late stage the game was on. During the warm up it was clearly going to be a battle of the fittest to get a result with the Southend silt grabbing at the feet and slipping at the set moves. An early kick off was agreed as the light was not the best and indeed faded quickly as the afternoon went on. Home ground an advantage as the Westcliffe knew the worst spots of the field and indeed scored first in the first few minutes 5 -0. Westcliffe certainly intended to prove they were a hard physical side and showed their intent with their centre attacking his opposite number with a hit that at least could be described as reckless leaving the player senseless in the mud. The referee showing that was acceptable by not issuing any penalty against Westcliffe which upped the tempo of the physical confrontations. Civil Service responded with some good attacking play with a try Heine Van der Bank and conversion by Matt Easton 5-7. The Civil Service pack was dominating the set play and Westcliffe could only hit hard at the rucks and mauls to try to gain the ball. Following some further Westcliffe skulduggery the Civil Service 6 emerged with a hand full of blood as he covered his eye he had to leave the game with what appeared to be a serious injury again the referee issued no warning to either side. Finishing off the half with some consistent pressure Civil Service were awarded a penalty converted by Matt Easton 5 -10, at half time just time for a face wash by now both teams were covered in mud, the pitch had transformed to mush.
Shortly after half time a try for Civil Service captain Dan Somerville after some severe pressure by Civil Service converted by Matt Easton 5 -17 . More trudge and after a great deal of heavy work by the Civil Service forwards a second try for Dan Somerville and conversion Matt Easton 5 -24. With the conditions playing their part Westcliffe put some backs moves together and with a sweeping move broke through the Civil Service defence to score and convert their only try of the second half 12 -24. The game played on to the conclusion with the final points going to Civil Service with a penalty 12 – 27. Good win away in appalling conditions and under provocation Civil Service held their cool and continued to play rugby.
Paul Tiller