East London build on the previous weeks win

Seven tries for 1st XV in emphatic win
“It was important that we followed up on last week's win at Braintree and we played some outstanding rugby.”
EDDIE GOOBY
East London continued their recent improved form with a seven-try 53-15 victory over London 3 Essex rivals Old Cooperians on Saturday (30 Oct).

Five tries from right wing Kevin O’Donoghue and further scores from second row Josh Norton and hooker Lewis Bourke, plus 18 points from the boot of fly-half Ryan Billinghurst sealed the win.

The emphatic victory at the Memorial Ground in West Ham saw the maroon and blues rise two places in the league table to fifth place after six games with 16 points. Head coach Eddie Gooby said: “It was important that we followed up on last week's win at Braintree and we played some outstanding rugby.”

Kicking-off with five changes from the previous week, the home side had to dig in for the first 15 minutes and a superb last-ditch tackle from outside centre Bill Brown prevented what looked like a certain try from Old Cooperians in the corner.

East London took the lead with a penalty from Billinghurst (3-0), cancelled out by an Old Cooperians penalty ten minutes later (3-3). Billinghurst restored the lead with another penalty on 30 minutes (6-3).

Their first try came on 35 minutes from a scrum ten metres in front of their posts. Number 8 Dan Bracken picked up the ball and slipped a pass to scrum-half Will Brown. He fed O’Donoghue who ran the length of the pitch, evading two tackles, to score under the posts. Billinghurst converted (13-3). The second try came on the stroke of half-time. Second row Angus Tidey intercepted a sloppy pass by the visitors in front of the home side’s posts. He ran to the half-way line before offloading to Norton on his left who outpaced the visiting defence to score in the corner. The conversion was missed (18-3).

The lead was extended on 42 minutes. A sweeping move following a lineout was finished off by O’Donoghue and converted by Billinghurst (25-3). The same pair extended the lead four minutes later with a similar move. (32-3).

On 57 minutes Lewis Bourke added to the total. Left wing Ben Davis collected a restart kick after a missed penalty kick attempt. He passed to Billinghurst who set up the hooker for a run to the posts. Billinghurst converted. (39-3). O’Donoghue scored his fourth try following good work by full back Max Stanyard. Billinghurst converted (46-3).

As East London emptied their replacements bench, Old Cooperians scored two tries in quick succession, one of which was converted. (46-15). O’Donoghue rounded off the try scoring with two minutes remaining, which Billinghurst converted (53-15).

Head coach Gooby said: “It makes a difference when you can get some consistency in team selection. We have healthy competition for places and strength in depth. Confidence is high at the moment and hopefully we can continue with a settled side away at Epping Upper Clapton on Saturday, which ultimately can make our other two teams stronger.”

East London’s second team the Wyverns were awarded an away walkover in Shepherd Neame Essex Merit Table Division 2 when Dagenham 2s couldn’t raise a team. They are fifth in the division with 14 points. On Saturday (6 Nov) they host Wanstead 2s at the Memorial Ground. East London 3s are also in action at home in Shepherd Neame Essex Merit Table Division 6 West against Pegasus Palmerians 2s.

East London 1st XV vs Old Cooperians: 1. Frazer Wilson; 2. Lewis Bourke; 3. Chris Brown; 4. Angus Tidey; 5. Josh Norton; 6. Nick Parrott; 7. Simon Edscer; 8. Dan Bracken; 9. Will Brown; 10. Ryan Billinghurst; 11. Ben Davis; 12. Karim Russell-Ketfi; 13. Bill Brown; 14. Kevin O’Donoghue; 15. Max Stanyard. Replacements: 16. Dave Gibson; 17. Ben Pigott; 18. Ross Howard.