by Russell Thame

THE boys from the ‘Croft returned to winning ways on saturday with a comfortable 37-12 win over local rivals Upper Clapton.

Following last weeks heartbreaking 2 point defeat to promotion rivals Campion some thought that the B's may struggle in what was always going to be a physical affair.

Injuries and unavailable players meant that Number 8 Luke Robinson dropped in to Scrum half, a position he'd last played in the corresponding fixture back in September with Matt "Snowflake" Barratt reverting to 12.

Sam Hodgson slotted in to wing with Adam Capon taking over from Cruddace at ten. The B's started brightly and put together some good rugby before Chris Grant opened the scoring with some strong finishing (conversion missed).

The ‘Croft promptly fell asleep and some poor discipline led to Upper Clapton gaining a lineout on the B's try line. Some great defensive work from the forwards kept the Clapton pack out with Gavin Biston holding up the Clapton loose head when over the line.

The ‘Croft pack, dominant in the scrum throughout the match with Evans stealing a lot of opposition ball were unable to snatch it and some slick handling from the Clapton backs resulted in a try in the corner for their winger.

The ‘Croft then marched back on the offensive, playing some slick rugby despite players filling in to unfamiliar positions.

Luke Robinson collected the ball inside the Clapton 22, broke a tackle and sprinted for the line, only for the opposition full back to pick him up and drop him head first into the turf. Robinson was able to deftly offload to Pete Robinson who trotted over the line unopposed. Luke’s polite cry of "Ref that was unbelievably reckless" was enough to convince the official to cancel Pete’s score and award a penalty try under the sticks which Capon duly slotted over.

Clapton were able to gain a fair amount of possession but were guilty of kicking the ball away to the Crofts dangerous back three. Sam Hodgson caught everything that came is way and was able to feed Pete Robinson, who's dancing feet were able to hypnotise the opposition was able to return the ball with interest.

Francois Nel, always on hand to collect the offload charged towards the line, desperately looking to pass the ball, only to find no one around to tackle him. The ‘Crofts South African flanker duly strolled over to increase the Crofts lead and Capon kicked the extras from a tricky angle.

Again the B's charged into the Clapton half and forced the opposition to concede a penalty under the sticks that Capon stuck over. With the first half almost over the a Bancroft set piece ball from the scrum worked perfectly and Barrett was able to force his was over in the corner, only for a late belly flop with a Clapton back to cause a nasty rib injury.

Capon was unlucky not to get the kick and the referee signal for half time.

Despite a dominant first half the penalty count against the ‘Croft was again, as has always been the case this season, far too high. Coach Steve Baker made an impassioned plea for greater discipline.

The first half had seen both sides commit a few indiscretions and the ref made it clear that any more would not be tolerated. Following Bakers' warning Chris Edwards caught the kick-off and charged through several Clapton forwards only for the ref to blow up and call over prop Gavin Biston.

Less than 30 seconds after being warned about a lack of discipline the ‘Croft found themselves reduced to 14 men as Biston saw red.

Despite being a man down the B's managed to pull off one of their tries of the season. Some solid rucking from the pack saw the ball flung out wide. Sam Hodgson drew his man perfectly and fed Pete Robinson who deftly flicked the ball behind his back for Grant to score his second of the day. It was true Hollywood rugby from the ‘Croft.

Nel was able to provide solid support following a good run from Hodgson, who unselfishly committed the man and allowed the flanker to collect finish the day with a brace. Sadly this move also signalled the end for any more decent rugby of the game.

Chris Edwards was unlucky to be sin binned for going in at the side of the ruck and the ‘Croft were down to 13 men. Clapton won a penalty in the Croft 22 and elected to test their 8 forwards against the crofts six, with Nel joining Goldsworthy in the Second Row and Julier on at prop for the missing Biston the 6 Croft forwards were able to drive the Clapton forwards off the ball. Unfortunately another penalty was soon conceded by the ‘Croft and what followed was 10 minutes of scrummages in the ‘Croft 22. Eventually Clapton moved the ball in the corner and whilst diving for the line Silk was able to tackle him into touch. The ref decided that it was a high tackle and promptly awarded a penalty try. Neither side created much in the final minutes of the game and the ref put the few remaining spectators out of their misery and blew for full time.