Sat 6 Sep 2025
Maldon were looking forward to a home game to start the season off, against Upper Clapton. However, the lack of rain since a long time ago meant that Drapers Farm was burned to a hard, concrete like surface, so the fixture had to be played at Upper Clapton, on their hard, artificial pitch.
Maldon were excited, hoping to better last season’s efforts of a 3rd place finish & hoping to do the double over Upper Clapton once more. The reason for the excitement - a new captain, Lewis Nichols, a starting 1st team debut for Alfie Summers at fly-half, returning forwards Posh Kris & Brendan Bignall, plus the Farrups playing in unison since last time they were injured together.
The squad was warming up well, on a warm day, with a cross breeze & a large crowd. With 10 minutes before the season started Jamie Farrup pulled up with a hamstring problem!!! Brendan stepped in to replace him, leaving only 2 subs on the bench.
After all this drama the game actually started, with Upper Clapton having the lion’s share of possession & territory for the first 15 minutes. With their very big pack, Upper Clapton dominated, running hard at Maldon, trying to start the season off with a try. However, Maldon demonstrated great resolve, by being just as physical, repelling all attempts to cross the try-line. Every Maldon player put in great defence to keep Upper Clapton out. After 15 minutes, Upper Clapton decided to kick for goal, from a penalty, as previous penalties had not produced the try they wanted. Upper Clapton kicked the penalty for a 3-0 lead. From the kick off Maldon fumbled the ball, which could have proved costly. But, Maldon managed to gain some territory & were able to play in the Upper Clapton half.
Prop Will Chaplin was injured in the scrum (against a massive prop for Upper Clapton), to be replaced by Dan Farrup after 25 minutes. But, Maldon maintained pressure &, following a quick tap penalty, captain Lewis Nichols ran around some defenders, then through the last line of defence, for the opening try, converted by Joshua Chadwick, 3-7.
Upper Clapton responded with more heavyweight attacks, draining the Maldon defence in the process. The scrums were dominated by Upper Clapton & they were more successful in the line-outs too. So, pretty much all Maldon was doing was defending. Upper Clapton kicked another penalty to close the gap, 6-7.
When Maldon had the ball, running into the opposition forward pack did not produce much success, as the size of Upper Clapton gave them the edge in the physical confrontation. But, when Maldon moved the ball wider, they gained ground.
By playing quicker Maldon flourished, the outcome of which was centre Brad White cutting through a gap to score a converted try, 6-14.
On the stroke of half-time a penalty was converted by Joshua Chadwick, for a score line of 6-17.
Maldon were pleased at the break, as Upper Clapton had enjoyed more possession & territory, but were 11 points down.
The 2nd half started & Upper Clapton showed more intensity & desire, their forwards began to gain more ground when carrying & their kicking game proved very positive. Maldon were hampered again when prop Posh Kris came off injured, so scrums were now uncontested & Matt Jarman came on as a sub into the pack. Upper Clapton couldn’t dominate scrums any more, but they certainly proved more physical in the loose. They scored after 10 minutes, 13-17 & looked determined to keep scoring.
Maldon, however, had other ideas. Again, by moving the ball away from the big forwards, Maldon showed some great handling to find some space for fly-half Alfie Summers to score, converted again by Chadwick, 13-24, the 11 point lead reinstated.
Then, disaster, Maldon failed to catch the kick off (as had happened previously) & Upper Clapton were camped on the Maldon try-line. Within a few minutes Upper Clapton scored again, to bring the score to 20-24.
Brendan left the field through injury, but returned a few minutes later. Matt Jarman then left due to injury & Maldon were down to 14 men for the last 15 minutes.
The numerical superiority meant that Upper Clapton simply overpowered Maldon, scoring a try for a 25-24 lead &, a few minutes later, another try, 30-24.
This was the final score, which was a disappointment for Maldon as they had led for much of the game.
Receiving & chasing kick-offs, & basic handling let Maldon down, in a game which they could have won. There is no doubt of the bravery of the squad, who defended against many physically bigger players with great enthusiasm, but losing an 11 point lead is something that will need to be avoided in future.
