After speaking to UEL manager Dan Donnelly last match, one focus was clear: he wanted to implement the the ability to play well for the whole 80 minutes.
Despite a sloppy start, conceding a penalty kick in the sixth minute which was converted emphatically, UEL outclassed Queen’s with great skill and stern defence.
UEL had their chance to pull the scores level when Charlie Wilson’s attempted kick fell just short of the posts. UEL continued the confident start to the game with a well worked try in the 18th minute courtesy of skipper Mike Lawrence, patiently breaking down the defence of Queen Mary’s. The try was converted by Charlie Wilson to make the scores 3-7.
A lapse of concentration occurred for UEL as just two minutes from the restart Queen’s had their first try of the match and successfully converted to restore their lead at 7-10.
Persisted
Things got even tougher for UEL when on the 23rd minute, Wilson was sinbinned, leaving the boys in blue a man down. Despite this, the resilient defence of UEL held out and looked to be on top despite the man advantage that Queen’s had.
After a few good chances went to waste, UEL persisted and scored their second try of the game, this time from David White which was again successfully converted by Wilson just two minutes before the half time interval.
UEL went into the break pleased with their performance, leading 14-10. Captain Mike Lawrence explained to Rising East that his half time team talk was “reminding the lads of the main three things we focused on: aggression, intensity and discipline”. This certainly proved to be the case.
UEL attacked from the off in the second half and after a tactical battle in the middle, UEL scored yet another try in the 53rd minute of the match, with Wilson showing his kicking capabilities as he converted his third kick of the match to give UEL a commanding 21-10 lead.
The remainder of the match was tricky given the bonus point rules. If UEL focused on attack, they were in danger of either losing or winning by seven or less, the latter meaning Queen’s would still get a bonus point and maintaining their spot at the top. However, UEL were just one try away from getting a bonus point themselves, meaning they needed to find a balance.
It seemed a nervy affair for the next 15 minutes with neither side wanting to give anything away. It took a moment of magic from returning star Laurence Joel to break the stalemate as he dazzled past three opposition players and gave UEL the crucial fourth try they were hoping for. Wilson finished the point-scoring and capped off a brilliant team performance with another conversion, leaving the final score 28-10.
‘Brilliant’
Lawrence explained after the game he was pleased with how the team stepped up, dubbing their performance as “absolutely brilliant” and was glad the team recovered from the shaky game away at University of Arts. Asking him about the focus on the 80-minute performance he said “That’s what we did, we smashed them off the park every minute we played. Our fitness is really kicking in thanks to Dan, and there were a lot of people here today cheering us on, which was class”.
UEL’s next game is a tricky tie against South Eastern 4A opposition; Middlesex 1st. Captain Lawrence believes that the win against Queen’s is a huge confidence booster and can be used as a platform for future performances. Despite Middlesex being a higher league opposition, they’ve won just one of their first three league games and are lacking confidence. The contrasting confidences and morale will surely work in UEL’s favour and certainly can’t be written out of the tie.