Game Gannets overwhelmed in Essex

With Sevenoaks unable to field a side last week and Leigh withdrawing,the fixture list suddenly had a massive hole in it before the visit of Vigo on April 11th.Ben was on the case like Columbo however and a fixture against Thames 'norf of the river' was arranged.

A seemingly healthy squad was in place at the beginning of the week but a multitude of withdrawals meant that only 14 took the field in South Ockendon.A special mention must go as ever to Mayhem who missed the previous game due to the sponsors lunch and today missed the the game as he had to go for a curry.With the vice presidents lunch falling on the day of the Gannets final league game against,Vigo,there's a good chance that he won't be seen in the number 4 shirt again until next season.

Playing against a one team club is always tricky and being a man light the Gees found it especially challenging,finding themselves 15-0 down at the interval with two scores coming along the blind side where Thames ruthlessly exploited the numerical advantage with the sheer pace of their backs.

It wasn't all one way traffic however as the pack were having success in the line outs and scrums with Paddy playing his first game at prop and surely making a case to play there more often! What was you said Paddy? Never a-fooking-gain? Ok.maybe not.

A head injury to Connor meant him having to leave the field but Thames very kindly lent the Gannets a replacement....hmmph anyway another reshuffle of an already reshuffled team meant Martin Taylor moving to fullback and Spud coming into the pack.

An intercepted pass by Thames was next on the non existent scoreboard before the Gees finally got the score that their persistence deserved.A batted down lineout ball was seized upon by Dan Grant ,you know,him with the haircut,and he took it in pretty much unopposed for the score.

With nothing to lose,the Gees attacked with reckless abandon,several times getting close to the home line but when the ball found its way into Thames hands their speed and sheer numbers proved too much for a spent Gannets defence and the inevitable further scores followed.

Full time 37-5

Although it was a defeat for the Gannets their workrate was outstanding today and it was this that prevented an even heavier loss.They should by no means be down about todays performance and with several players set to return for their final game of the season,the Gees are in with a shout of second place in the league.

Man that was hard work.I think the phrase 'making chicken salad from chicken sh*t' best applies to this report so..........until next time...