East London had a disappointing start to the new season with a 29-19 defeat away at Ilford Wanderers on Saturday (8 September).
A large number of penalties awarded against the visitors was their ultimate undoing as the home side came from behind to win the local derby.
East London number 8 Dan Bracken opened the scoring on six minutes following a scrum won against the head close to the home line. Fly-half Will Brown converted. Ilford narrowed the gap less than three minutes later with an unconverted try.
An attritional first-half sparked into life on 26 minutes when inside centre Bill Brown broke from inside his own half. An offload almost put left wing Lachlan McKenzie in for the try but he was caught close to the line.
A converted try on 34 minutes put Ilford in front for the first time but the lead lasted only three minutes. At attempted kick through by the home side was charged down and gathered by fly-half Brown. He passed to flanker Rob Yiannakou who touched down. Will Brown converted for a two-point lead at the break.
East London failed to press home their advantage in the second half and continually lost ground because of a succession of penalties given against them, including one for foul play which saw second row Eoin Kelly yellow carded. Ilford scored with three tries on 54, 65 and 75 minutes, one of which was converted.
The most flowing move of the game was reserved to the final play when East London finally ran the ball through their backs and right wing Jack Roach scored in the corner on his debut. The conversion was missed.
East London head coach Eddie Gooby: “It wasn’t the result we wanted but all credit to Ilford. More than 30 penalties were awarded, most of them against us, which didn’t help our game plan.”
East London look to get off the mark with their first home match on Saturday (15 September) at the Memorial Ground, West Ham, against Campion who won their first game of the London 3 Essex season. Kick-off is 3pm.
East London 1st XV versus Ilford: 1. Ben Hogan; 2. Sam Ames-Reddin; 3. Paddy Coman; 4, Eoin Kelly; 5. Luke Staples-Preston; 6, Nick Parrott; 7. Rob Yiannakou; 8. Dan Bracken; 9. Alex Mylchreest; 10. Will Brown; 11. Lachlan McKenzie; 12. Bill Brown; 13. Kevin O’Donoghue; 14. Jack Roach; 15. Max Stanyard. Replacements: 16. Dave Gibson; 17. Eddie Brown; 18. Murray Dunn.

In other matches East London’s second team the Wyverns lost 79-17 away to Colchester 2s in their Shepherd Neame Essex Merit Table division 1 match. In division 5, East London 3s had a home walkover 39-0 victory after Bancroft 2s failed to raise a team.
The Wyverns are at home to Eton Manor 2s on Saturday while the 3s travel to Southend 5s.

East London Vixens lost 12-43 at home in their season opener in the Women’s National Challenge London and South East division 1. Two tries from left wing Catherine Rolfe making her debut was the highlight. Prop Sam Leetch kicked one conversion. The Vixens are away to Sutton & Epsom on Sunday (16 September).