Market Drayton 48 Essington 3 ​Junior Vase Cup 2nd Round ​15th October 2011
 
Essington took the long journey to Market Drayton for the second round of the Junior Vase. The opposition are in a league above Essington and have a reputation of open running backs.
 
With injuries to three key players form last week, Essington had to make some crucial selection changes and were lucky to be able to call upon Phil Russell at No8 who
had a very good game in the set pieces and lineouts, his experience was crucial.
 
From the start, Market Drayton showed their organisation and playing prowess and it was obvious that this was going to be a very difficult afternoon for Essington. The first half saw intelligent defensive work from Essington giving the home team very little space to work in. Attack after attack was held back with Essington tackling ferociously. Market Drayton scored three tries and one conversion in the first half, with only one penalty in reply by Essington, converted by Aly Cowmeadow. This made it 17-3 at half time.
 
There was an unfortunate incident after 13 minutes of the first half when defending their own line, the Market Drayton No8 tackled Nick Brittain into touch and rammed him head first into the perimeter fence several feet from touch. The referee was too far away to comment and did not penalise the Market Drayton player. Nick was badly concussed and never recovered. Essington were now without their influential Captain who plays at scrum half.  This affected team organisation, but Essington rallied with Paul Faulkener coming on as replacement and played well.
 
With the score at only 17-3 at the beginning of the second half, Essington should have been in with a chance of rallying. This was not to be. The faster paced backs of Market Drayton with their three key Fijian players wrought havoc for a ten minute spell, scoring three quick tries. With pace they ran ball from midfield and unloaded to players running off their fly half, who himself had a very good game.
 
Essington bravely tried to hold Market Drayton, but it was recognised that their style of open play, strong running and support play was too difficult to defend against. It was a bruising experience for both sides, with a number of players getting injured, but Essington were pleased with their performance and congratulated the home team on their win.
Essington are at home to Five Ways Old Edwardians in the league next Saturday.
Jeff Ford
Coach
Essington RUFC