Gary Bird reports from East London RFC…
East London Rugby Club enjoyed a visit from South African internationals Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis ahead of the Springboks clash with England at Twickenham on Saturday.
The brothers, who both played in the 31-28 defeat of England, called in at the Essex League 1 club in West Ham on Thursday for a fund-raising dinner and to see how the club are improving facilities ahead of Rugby World Cup 2015. Also in attendance were former England star Jeff Probyn, former Springbok Thinus Delport and Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales.
East London Chairman Nick Bracken said: “International rugby is high on our agenda with Rugby World Cup 2015 coming to the former Olympic Stadium, including South Africa v USA. It is an honour for the club that Jannie and Bismarck, who hold the distinction of being the only brothers to have won Rugby World Cup winners medals, are keen to help us inspire rugby at grassroots level.”
Newham Council are also helping by helping to floodlight three pitches, by funding the delivery of youth rugby into local schools, and offering a repayable loan to help renovate clubhouse facilities.
Mr Bracken added: “It is a fantastic time to be involved in Rugby in Newham and with East London RFC. I hope we can encourage those who historically have had few opportunities to take part in the game to do so now.”
On the field East London returned to winning ways with a 29-0 home victory over Canvey Island, running in four tries and securing a winning bonus point in the process.
All the scoring took place in the first half with hooker Will Masters, winger Tom Little twice going over and centre Adam Brown touching down. Three of the tries were converted and the final points came from a penalty.
The home side were stronger in all departments throughout the match and Canvey weren’t helped by being reduced to 14 men for ten minutes in the first half when a forward questioned a decision by the referee.
Canvey, helped by a change in the weather conditions and a greasy ball, rang the changes at half-time. A better shape to their defence managed to counter the marauding runs of East London backs Little, Brown and Ben Dawson, and forwards Michael Groombridge and Jim Crick that had dominated the first 40 minutes.
East London are next in action away at fourth placed Ilford Wanderers on Saturday.
East London 1st XV vs Canvey Island: Gary Pearman, Will Masters, Mirko Zemanovic, Jim Crick, Michael Groombridge, Sam Alexander, Oli Hillyer-Riley, Nick Parrott, Ben Murphy, Kieran Oliver, Adam Brown, Ben Dawson, Tom Little, Daryl O’Brien, Ali Gonse. Replacements: Wes Royer, John Dawson, Richard Gregory.