Rugby: Writtle's close match ends scoreless

From the archive, first published Thursday 8th Mar 2007.

Writtle Wanderers 0, Dagenham 0

It was a case of the irresistible force meeting the immoveable object on Saturday as The Wanderers and league rivals Dagenham played out a scoreless draw at the Writtle College playing fields.

With both sides sitting on 18 points in Essex League One and only points difference splitting them, it always promised to be a close contest and this very much proved to be the case.

The visitors started the stronger from the kick off and seemed to catch Writtle on the back-foot with some aggressive running and clearance from the ruck. Dagenham secured the first scoring opportunity as Writtle conceded a penalty 25 metres out. Kicking duties fell to the Dagenham scrum half who found the breeze too much to handle as his effort went well wide.

Writtle managed to get a little more structure into their game as the first half progressed.

Their closest try scoring moment came courtesy of a good break from Mark Rawlinson who latched onto an inside pass to break clear.

Having stepped his man and homing in on the Dagenham try line he looked around for support which, sadly for Writtle, failed to arrive and the number eight was caught by the Daganham defence.

Both sides were finding it hard to create space & with it, any clear scoring opportunities. Forced passes and knock-ons were doing little to help in the quest for points.

The second half continued in the same vein as the first with much endeavour but nothing to show for either side. It was Dagenham who caused the greatest threat to troubling the referees score card as they embedded themselves in Writtle's 22 for some 10 minutes.

Their best chance came with a scrum straight under the posts. The plan was clear to all with a man dropping back into the pocket for the drop goal attempt but a poor pass resulted in the ball being fumbled and the referee's pencil remaining firmly in his pocket.

A long range penalty attempt from Writtle's Will Young and another effort from 9 Robinson failed to convert and the game finished with the only winners being the defence of both sides.