The Mighty WIN WIN WIN

It was a day for 'firsts'... the first Mighty game for some boys, as we were joined by Mark Broughton , Richard Townsend and James. The first win of the season. The first outing for the new Mighty kit (we looked a bit special... and not in the way we usually look special). The first time The Mighty have beaten Clacton. The first time I have seen Alex Jacobs pass the ball. The first time I have seen a line-out go so terribly wrong (also Jacobs).

The starting 15 and our 'finishers' were looking lively (which could have been an optical illusion, as we were blinded by the shiny new kit.) Even with Henry Gaskin taking a step back from his regular 80 minute shift, to focus on his Sunday jog, we looked fit (ish).

It was a bit tit-for-tat to begin with. A bit more ‘tit’ on our part as some school boy errors made an unwelcome appearance, and a brief period where one or two thought they were playing at Eden Park - but quickly realised that fancypants rugby, on your own, is rarely rewarded with anything more than an uncomfortable silence and a slow clap. We gift wrapped their 10 points for them early on... it was only a couple of silly mistakes that cost us those tries.

Their spritely 20 minute start soon fizzled into a slow trot. Once we realised the opposition were knackered and getting a bit narky, we found some fun in keeping their tolerance levels low, allowing us to pull away, leading by 5 at half time.

The second half was a slow burner, through stoppage after stoppage. John Parnell took a small graze for the team, as they fly-hacked into his head (16 stitches), after he had put in an awesome show of brute strength and ground-making power (The Mighty commends your bravery, sir). The line outs were a little off kilter and the fringes were a little bear at times. Clacton fancied their chances only a couple more times, but we covered well and gave them some more to moan about. The Mighty kept their cool and bit their tongues (most of the time), which continued to annoy the visitors. There was a show of fisty-cuffs from the opposing numbers, which signaled their frustration, disappointment and the end to any chance that they might be able to re-calibrate and claw things back.

With Duncan John linking the sturdy pack to Oliver Hall, who had Mark Broughton and George Ray at his disposal, we looked like a well oiled engine, with only a minor mechanical fault every now and again. With the wings covered by speedsters, Connor Danielsen and James, we made the most of the opportunities, running in another 10 points.

The biggest achievement of the game, was our stand out dominance in the scrum. We were a tight, we were solid, taking several against the head... and this was with a prop who had never propped before... well done Alex Keer, you are man of the match, you have found your position... and everyone loves a prop!

Thank you to our sponsors for the dazzling new kit!