Millwall back on the promotion play-off trail
Jan
In a torrid encounter, third-placed Millwall got their promotion campaign back
on track with a 23-7 win over second-placed Maldon on Millwall Park.
The visitors opened the scoring with a converted try while Millwall were
reduced to fourteen men. The Isle of Dogs club’s flyhalf Dom Sutherland used
the stiffening hind wind to slot two penalties to close the gap to 7-6 at the
break.
With a daunting task ahead of them against the breeze, coach Dave Roberts
emphasised the importance of pressure, patience and ball retention in his half
time speech. The forwards stepped up their work rate in response, with
flankers Richard Flisik and man of the match Darryl Gera increasing their
harassment of the Maldon scrumhalf and flyhalf.
The pressure told, allowing Sutherland to steal an intercept from inside his
own half, race towards the opposition corner flag and kick infield for flying
hooker Dave Connors to collect and score under the uprights. The conversion
took the lead to 13-7.
Continued Millwall pressure saw Maldon concede a penalty inside their own
22-metre line. Sutherland added three points from just right of the posts.
With Maldon tiring, Millwall spectacularly sealed the win as Lithuanian
international Juri Ivanovas accelerated into the backline to grab an intended
miss pass, beat three defenders and score between the posts, allowing
Sutherland another easy conversion and a 13 point haul.
“Our defence was immensely impressive as was the way we turned up the pressure
to grab the win into the breeze,” said Roberts. “The forward pack’s work rate
deserves special mention.”
Three of Millwall’s four senior sides won. The two Lions youth teams in action
both enjoyed emphatic wins with the Under 15s beating Maldon 59-5.
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Further Information for Media:
East London's lead at the top of the Essex 1 league table seemingly guarantees
them automatic promotion. The second place battle will determine who earns the
right to play-off for promotion. The result leaves Maldon on 31 points,
Millwall on 30 points and Old Cooperians on 29 points but Millwall and Old
Cooperians have a game in hand. For further results and to see the table,
visit the following link:
http://clubs.rfu.com/Fixtures/MatchByDivision.aspx?DivID=70000744
Teams gain 4 league points for a win, 2 for a draw and a bonus point for
scoring four tries or for losing by seven points or less.
