The year 10 Rugby team from Robert Clack School proved that they were the best team in Essex by triumphing over the previously unbeaten Campion School from Hornchurch in an exciting final on Sunday the 25th of March at May and Bakers sports ground.
The final was a very close affair with the two top teams in the county making virtually no errors in the first half. Clack took the lead through Ayo Olukoga who collected his own chip and chase to score under the posts. Teddie Duke converted for the extra 2 points. Campion levelled before half time and they would have gone in to the break in the lead if it had not been for a try saving tackle from speedy winger Demoy Smith.
Campion enjoyed the lions share of possession at the start of the second half and kicked a penalty to take the lead for the first and only time in the match. Clack responded with a try from Demoy Smith who was technically superb in collecting and finishing Albert Carley’s clever grubber kick. Teddie Duke was again cool under pressure to convert and make the score 14 – 10.
Campion were forced to press but the Clack defence held firm and in particular Nassime Vernage-Fanus, Reece Bowden, Sello Mungazi, and Dammy Agbabiaka were Herculean in their efforts to prevent a score. With Campion on the front foot, they inevitable had to take chances and leave themselves open to be hit on the counter attack. With 10 minutes to go Albert Carley spotted and exposed a hole in the midfield to score a third try and give Clack a 9 point cushion.
The game was far from over and Campion showed just why they had won the title for the previous two years. They rallied and eventually broke the Clack defence to score and convert a late try. They had a last minute kick to break Clack hearts, but they missed and Robert Clack had hung to a famous and much deserved victory.
The refs final whistle signalled the start of amazing celebrations with a bumper crowd of over 300 spectators. Team Skipper Teddie Duke and Vice Captain Dammy Agbabiaka lifted the trophy and the shield to an ear splitting reception.
Well done to all involved and thanks for the support.
Clack Squad
Kena, Walker, Vernage-Fanus, Bowden, Appiah, Mungazi, Carley, Agbabiaka, Fairburn, Fook, Tarbard, Parker, Duke (capt), Olukoga, Smith, Abiola, Clarke, Bessant, Nwobi, Bandoo, Soetan, Kanyowa, Rachdi
