Southend 44 - Shelford 32
Sep
Frost Ensures Another Away Win
Southend travelled to Cambridgeshire for this National 2 game against Shelford. The day was cold and blustery for the thirty or so travelling supporters, who joined a good sized home crowd. The trip was made worthwhile as they witnessed another accomplished performance from the team.
Within three minutes of the kick off Andrew Frost scored his first three points of the game following a penalty awarded against Shelford. They were forced into it by a scintillating run from flanker Jo Van Der Molen.
Shortly after, flying winger Mark Billings, finished off in style when Dan Boughtwood's thumping tackle dispossessed one of the Shelford backs. The ball was taken forward at pace by Danny Claire and then flew from hand to hand until finally reaching Billings. Frost added the extras. 0 – 10.
Southend were in rampant form and full of confidence. Shelford were forced into a number of mistakes. One of them resulted in Andrew Frost collecting the ball in his own half. He set of in a mazy run beating man after man, he then shipped it left and continued his run in support. The ball passed from player to player until it arrived back with Frost who touched down over the line under the posts. His conversion took the score to a creditable 0 – 17 in the first 15 minutes.
Shelford kept at it though and were rewarded a couple of minutes later with a try of their own from scrum half Charlie Baker, Eddie Gough converted and they had clawed back seven points. Gough then added two penalties to force them back into the game at 17 – 13.
When Southend's Mike Stanley was yellow carded eight minutes before half time the home supporters could sense that this might yet be their day. They were disappointed because just before half time Southend's own scrum half Sam Arnot saw a space from ten meters out, he dashed through and scored. Frost added the two points and they went in to the break eleven points up at 13 – 24.
Any thoughts of a turnabout against the fourteen men of Southend were squashed a minute after the restart when Southend skipper Chris Green got possession of the ball on the halfway line. He set off like a train, outstripping the Shelford defence and adding yet another try to secure the bonus point. It's getting an enjoyable habit for Green who scored an almost identical try against Richmond a couple of weeks ago. Frost added yet more points for both him and the team and the score moved to 13 – 31.
Shelford got one back after 46 minutes when their big flanker Dane Grey rumbled over. Gough converted pegging the score back to 20 – 31.
Andrew Frost, who was back to his best this week, scored his second try of the day, finishing off a fine run half the length of the field. He converted and Southend lead was stretched yet again. 20 – 38.
Then Southend were yet again reduced to fourteen men. This time it was Chris Green who offended the referee Darren Gamidge. Dane Grey took advantage and scored his second try of the afternoon, Gough missed the conversion attempt so the score became 25 – 38.
Shelford were penalised twice more in their own half giving Frost the opportunity to add an extra six points, which he did, extending the score to 25 – 44.
Shelford then went all out to at least score a fourth try and secure a bonus point. They camped on Southend,s line, who's desperate efforts to keep them out resulted in Frost getting Southend's third yellow card of the day. The fourteen men were unable to keep their fingers in the dyke and Shelford got their fourth try. The successful conversion left the final score at 32 – 44.
Another good team performance that saw Macca back for his first appearance of the season and Andrew Frost putting in a twenty nine points Man of the Match performance.
Southend have now racked up twenty one try's in their first four games, and have scored the most points of any team in the league. If they can keep that up and be more disciplined who knows what the season may bring.
Next week at home to another league newcomer Taunton RFC.
Penalties against: Southend 12 – Shelford 5.
Alan Grace
