January 30th, 2010

Old Cooperians returned to winning ways with a hard fought game at home to Old Brentwood.

Old Brentwood were determine to avenge their home defeat earlier in the season and from the kick off forced Coopers back onto the defensive but were unable to make a break through as strong tackling by Coopers forwards and backs stemmed the flow. Old Brentwood were being penalised for infringements in both rucks and mauls and eventually the skipper and No 8 was yellow carded. Coopers winger Harry Fayers had the opportunity to put them ahead with a penalty kick in front of the posts but sliced the ball wide. The Coopers No 8 Simon Powell was then yellow carded when adjudged to be not rolling away. Neither side could make much headway and the game was played in between both 22 yard lines.

Score at hal time Old Cooperians 0, Old Brentwood 0.

Old Brentwood kicked off to start the second half and a return kick by full back James Edgar was followed up by flanker Alex Reed who tackled the Old Brentwood catcher for a turn over and delivered a short pass to outside centre Scott Sarson who ran down the left touch line beating off the defenders to score the first try. Coopers pack were dominant throughout the scrummaging with hooker Ray Flowers winning the majority of scrums and only stout defence by Old Brentwood kept Coopers at bay. Coopers made two changes with Aarron Waller and Richard Symes replacing winger Mark Newman and centre Sarson. In the final quarter Old Brentwood continued to attack and managed to get into Coopers 22 but could not prise open Coopers defence. With time running out Coopers again following up on a kick pressurised the Old Brentwood defence and another turn over by Reed and some quick passing gave fly half Tom Murphy the room to  slip through a tackle and with the forwards behind him forced him over the goal line for Coopers second try.

Final Score Old Cooperians 10 points, Old Brentwood 0 points.

Essex (Canterbury Jack) League 1   
Team                   P     W     D    L      F        A     Diff     Pts     Adjust
Campion              12     12     0    0     577     83     494     24     0
Bancroft              11     9     0     2     333     102     231    18     0
Clacton               12     8     0     4     163     158     5       16     0
Old Cooperians     12     7     0     5     209     126     83     14     0
East London         11     7     0     4     252     185     67     14     0
Maldon                13     5     0     8     221     375     -154   10     0
Thames               12     4     0     8     181     467     -286     8     0
Millwall               12     3     0     9     196     289     -93      6     0
Old Brentwoods    11     3     0     8     143     271     -128     6     0
Ilford Wanderers   12     1     0     11     84     303     -219     0     -2

January 23rd, 2010

Coopers travelled to Clacton for this Essex 1 encounter.

Clacton took the lead in the fifth minute from a penalty kick when the Coopers front row were judged to have broken the scrum by coming up under pressure. On twenty minutes Coopers were awarded a penalty  and winger Harry Fayers kicked for the five yard line. From the lineout Coopers had four attacking phases but could not get over the Clacton goal line, they were then awarded a penalty kick in front of the posts but Fayers kick went wide. On thirty four minutes Coopers took the lead from a five yard lineout that was caught by flanker Alex Reed who turned and with support from the pack formed a maul and pushed Clacton pack back over their goal line for flanker Dirk de Villiers to score a try. On forty minutes Coopers were again penalised for not rolling away following a tackle and the Clacton fullback slotted over the kick.

Score at half time Clacton 6pts, Old Cooperians 5pts.

Coopers opened the second half with attacking moves but the final passes were not going to hand and Clacton escaped. Clacton were penalised and their lock was yellow carded. Despite Coopers domination for much of this half and the pack winning five scrums against the head and winning all their line out throws the backs could not break through Clactons defence. Clacton scored from a further penalty kick and Coopers run of losses since the end of November continues.

Score at full time Clacton 9 points, Old Cooperians 5 points

January 16th, 2010

January 2, 2010

Old Cooperians opened 2010 with a home tie in the 4th Rd of Junior Vase Competition against Stowmarket, presentlly in 2nd place in Eastern Counties Div 1.

Stowmarket attacked from the kick off and immediately took the lead when they won a ruck in Coopers 22 and the tight head prop drove over to score a converted try inside two minutes. Coopers were hemmed into their own half of the field by some strong play by Stowmarket and excellent defensive tackles by Coopers flankers Dirk de Villiers and Simon Powell broke up the attacks. Stowmarket's lock was yellow carded for a high tackle on twenty minutes but Coopers could not take any advantage. Stowmarket continued to attack and another forward move on thirty five minutes saw their forwards drive over for their second try.

Score at half time Old Cooperians 0. Stowmarket 12 points.

Coopers made some changes in the pack at  half time with Nathan John, and Dean Foley replacing Terry Snooks at prop and Sam John at lock. Further tatical moves were made on fifty minutes with Scott Sarson moving to scrum half and Jack Bryan to wing. De Villiers was substituted on seventy minutes following a very heavy tackle that left him with a dead leg and James Edgar took his place. Coopers started to kick the ball into Stowmarket half and had two opportunities to score had the final pass to the wing gone to hand. With time running out No 8 Alex Reed picked up the ball from a maul and beat off two defenders to score Coopers only try.

Final score Old Cooperians 5 points, Stowmarket 12 points

Latest Game & League Table

Season 2009/10

Campion             9     9     0     0     418     80     338     18    
Bancroft             9     7     0     2     281     97     184     14    
Old Cooperians    9     6     0     3     194     112     82     12    
East London        9     6     0     3     192     156     36     12    
Clacton              8     5     0     3     125     110     15     10    
Old Brentwoods   9     3     0     6     143     238     -95     6    
Maldon               9     3     0     6     181     333     -152    6    
Millwall              9     2     0     7     163     218     -55     4    
Thames              9     2     0     7     147     339     -192    4   
Ilford Wanderers  8     1     0     7      62      223    -161    0     -2

December 12th

Old Cooperians matched Campion on tries but go down by four successful penalty kicks.

Campion attacked from the kick off, in front of 200 spectators at Cottons Park, and took the lead on four minutes when Coopers were caught off side in front of the posts. Campion went further ahead on ten minutes when the ball was passed along the backs to the right wing who score a try in the corner. Three minutes later Coopers centre Richard Symes was Yellow Carded for taking a player out without the ball and from the penalty kick Campion added further three points.  Campion second try was scored on twenty four minutes following pressure from the pack. A Campion prop injured his knee and had to be substituted but with no forward replacements on the bench or in the side the scrums had to go uncontested. Coopers hit back with a thirty five yard rolling maul and from the resulting lineout regrouped and drove over for flanker Ben Pryer to score a try. Campion extended their lead with another penalty kick when the referee considered that Coopers were not releasing the ball quickly enough in the ruck.

Score at half time Campion 19 points, Old Cooperians 5 points

Coopers brought Samuel John on for lock Rob Lancaster at half time. Tempers were rising amongst the forwards and following a potential eye gouging incident by the Campion hooker Coopers prop Terry Snooks was Yellow Carded for throwing a punch and two minutes later the Campion hooker was also Yellow Carded for an infringement. Coopers made further changes with Billy Wyatt replacing Snooks and Tom Murphy scrum half Joey Wyatt. Campion were awarded another penalty kick when Coopers were said to be not releasing in the ruck but Coopers forwards were not discouraged and another rolling maul along the right touch line enabled them to force the Campion forwards back over the goal line for their second try of the game

Final score Campion 22 points, Old Cooperians 10 points

The 2nd's game against Dagenham was cancelled as Coopers were unable to a side.

December 5th

Old Cooperians hosted East London in this Essex 1 encounter and went down by three to two tries for their second loss of the season.

 Within four minutes of the kick off East London took the lead when a back row move was not put down with missed tackles and the East London centre scored near the posts for a converted try. Ten minutes later East London forwards won a ruck on Coopers five yard line and were able to force their way over for their second try. Coopers handling and kicking was not up to their normal standard and with numerous turn over at rucks could not pressurise the East London line. On 20 minutes Coopers were penalised for not retreating and East London slotted the kick over for a fifteen point lead. With half time approaching the East London centre was yellow carded for a high tackle.

Score at half time Old Cooperians 0, East London 15 points

Within one minute of the second half kick off Coopers had reduced the deficit when a cross field kick was caught by wing Mark Newman who out stripped the opposite wing to run around and score a try under the posts that fly half Jack Bryan converted. On fifty minutes Coopers made changes with lock Stephen Myles replacing lock Rob Lancaster and Mark Scofield taking scrum half Dave Pudney position following an injury. East London restored their lead when their forwards were rewarded for their effort with a push over try that was converted. With the game entering the fourth quarter wing Harry Fayers broke the East London defence with a diagonal run from the half way line to score under the posts for a converted try. Coopers made their final change with Dean Foley replacing prop Rob Anderson and East London had two further players yellow carded but Coopers could not take advantage of the extra man as the final whistle beckoned.

Final score Old Cooperians 14 points, East London 22 points

Coopers 2nds played Chelmsford 4ths at home and won by eleven points.

November 28th

Old Cooperians travelled to Fairlop for this Essex 1 game against Ilford Wanderers

Coopers pressurise Ilford for the first twenty minutes but without scoring. Ilford forwards eventually got the ball and attempted to gain yardage but it was thirty minutes before they managed to move into Coopers half. Coopers were giving away numerous penalties for various infringements and Ilford eventually took the lead with a penalty kick. Coopers continued to play open and flowing rugby and with half time approaching fly half Jack Bryan landed a drop goal to bring the points level.

Score at half time Ilford Wdrs 3, Old Cooperians 3

Coopers continued to run the ball and with swift handling Bryan fed left wing Harry Fayers who sped down the touch line for the first try. Fifteen minutes elapsed before excellent forward rucking by Coopers gave the opportunity for centre Richard Symes to dive over for the second try. Fayers took over the kicking roll from Bryan and landed a forty yard penalty kick to extend the lead. The final try was scored in the last minute when another fine set of phases by the forwards saw prop Rob Anderson slip the ball to centre Luke Taylor and on to Bryan who again passed to Fayers to score his second try.

Final score Ilford Wanderers 3, Old Cooperians 21


Coopers 2nd's played away to Stanford 2nds in Merit Table 7, and with only 14 players and a light weight pack went down by 40 points to 7 ponts

November 21st

Cooperians hosted Cantabrigians from Eastern Counties 1 in this 3rd Rd Junior Vase competition and were worthy winners.

Cantabs with the wind and slope behind them kicked long into Coopers half but it was not until twenty minutes that Cantab opened the scoring with a penalty kick when a Coopers forward did not release the ball. Within two minutes Coopers levelled the score when Cantab were penalised for not rolling away from a ruck. On twenty five minutes a well worked move by Coopers resulted in flanker Dirk de Villiers collecting the ball and beat of two defenders to score under the posts for a converted try. Coopers forwards were giving away numerous penalties and Cantab took the advantage with three excellent penalty kicks to take the lead at half time by two points.

Score at half time Old Cooperians 10 points, Cantabrigians 12 points

Cantab kicked off the second half into the wind and Coopers immediately launched an attack with the ball flowing along the backs to full back James Edgar and on to left wing Harry Fayers who with his pace scored a try that was converted by fly half Jack Bryan. Cantab could not get out of their half so dominant were Coopers and three penalties were given against Cantab forwards with Jack Bryan being successful with them all. On sixty minutes Coopers brought on flanker Alex Reed for lock Dean Foley with No 8 Simon Powell going to lock, winger Mark Newman also came on to replace Richard Symes. On sixty five minutes scrum half David Pudney bedazzled the Cantab forwards with his run and score under the posts for a converted try. Three minutes later an excellent cross kick by Bryan was caught by Fayers who ran through and scored his second try. Coopers maintained their superioirty and with the ball passing swiftly between the backs wing Newman went over for a try in the corner. With the final whistle only minutes away Alex Reed broke through from Coopers half and gained some forty yards before feeding Jack Bryan to score under the posts for a converted try,  taking his personal score to 25 points (1T, 4P, 4C) and be Coopers "man of the match"

Final score Old Cooperians 50 points, Cantabrigians 12 points.

November 14th

Old Cooperians hosted Bancroft in this Essex 1 league game and their winning run came to an end.   

With a very strong wind behind them Bancroft dominated play and kept the ball in the Coopers half of the field. On ten minutes Coopers clearance kick by fly half Jack Bryan was charged down and a Bancroft forward dived over for a try that was converted. Coopers forwards kept the ball tight as they drove and carried the ball up field but Bancroft high kicks kept the ball in Coopers half and on twenty three minutes Bancroft forwards were rewarded when they won a ruck on Coopers five yard line and scored their second try. Just on half time another chip ball was caught by the Bancroft right wing who scored a try in the corner.

Score at half time Old Cooperians 0, Bancroft 17 points.

Coopers brought on lock Ross Smith for prop Terry Snooks, who was suffering a heavy cold, and shuffled the pack. On forty seven minutes with the wind now behind them Coopers forwards forced Bancroft pack back into their 22, flanker Heinrich Zimmerman picked up the loose ball and with the weight of the pack behind him drove over for a try. On fifty six minutes Coopers further reduced their deficit when the Bancroft full back knocked the ball on in his goal area and flanker Brad Tiffin was able to touch down for Coopers second try. Coopers brought on centre Dirk De Villiers for scrum half Joey Wyatt with David Pudney moving to scrum half. Bancroft forwards kept the ball tight for the remaining fifteen minutes and managed to hold the Coopers attack and eventually ran the game out.

Final score Old Cooperians 10 points, Bancroft 17 points

November 7th

Old Cooperians hosted Millwall in this Essex 1 encounter at St Marys Lane.

From the kick off Coopers ran the ball into Millwall half but were immediately on the defensive with the long kick of the Millwall full back. With both sets of forwards giving their all in the scrums and mauls it wasn't long before the first penalty. Coopers were caught offside in their own 22 and Millwall slotted the kick over in the seventh minute. three minutes later with Coopers attacking Millwall were penalised for not rolling away and fly half Jack Bryan was successful with his kick. Coopers then began to dominate and on seventeen minutes a second penalty against Millwall for off side was again kicked by Bryan. However Millwall brought the points level when Coopers were adjudged to be holding onto the ball in a ruck and were successful with the penalty kick. With half time approaching Millwall gave another penalty away for boring in from the side at a ruck and Bryan again slotted the ball between the posts.

Score at half time Old Cooperians 9 points Millwall 6 points

The second half saw both sides in opposing halves but neither could gain any ascendancy, Bryan missed a penalty kick, and on 54 minutes a fine run by the Millwall left wing saw him beat off two tackles and score a try that was converted to put them ahead by 4 points. Coopers reduced their lead to 1 point when Bryan slotted over his fourth penalty kick following the Millwall centre being yellow carded for killing the ball. Millwall extended their lead to 4 points with a fine penalty kick on sixty minutes. On seventy minutes Coopers brought on Scott Sarson at full back replacing James Edgar and three minutes later Scott caught a high ball and chipped the ball to the right wing where winger Mark Newman collected it and made thirty yards before being tackled, from the ensuing ruck Coopers forwards forced a turn over that resulted in prop Rob Anderson picking the ball up and making twenty yards to score under the posts with Bryan converting the kick. Millwall would not give up and only stout defensive play by Coopers held them at bay for the remainder of the game.

Final score Old Cooperians 19 points, Millwall 16 points

Coopers 2nd's hosted Old Streetonians in a friendly and went down by 5 tries to 2 tries.

October 31st

Old Cooperians hosted Crusaders, from Norwich, in the 2nd Round of the London & SE Divisional Vase Competition and maintained their form to score a convincing win.

Crusaders kicked of and Coopers put together twelve phases and took the ball to Crusaders goal line only to lose it, Crusaders full back cleared the ball that was caught by left wing Harry Fayers who then ran through the Crusaders defence to score a try in the corner. On thirteen minutes an excellent cross field kick by fly half Jack Bryan was caught by Fayers in Crusaders goal area and touched down for his second try.  Six minutes later prop Rob Anderson gathered the ball and made twenty five yards before releasing the ball to lock Stephen Myles and through the hands of scrum half Joey Wyatt, and Bryan before reaching right wing Mark Newman to score in the corner. Sustained effort by Crusaders for the next twenty minutes was rewarded when they score a try that was converted. With half time approaching Coopers forwards formed a maul on Crusaders 22 line and proceeded to push them back to the goal line where flanker Brad Tiffin was able to touch down for a try.

Score at half time Old Cooperians 20 pts, Crusaders 7 pts.

Crusaders reduced the arrears from a penalty conceeded by full back James Edgar, however a strong run by Coopers lock Michael de la Fuente enabled the backs to feed the ball out to Newman who ran round under the posts to score his second try that Bryan converted. Crusaders came back and Bryan was yellow carded for killing the ball and Crusaders kicked the penalty. On sixty minutes Wyatt kicked a penalty to restore Coopers 17 points lead, Coopers then brought on James Allchurch for flanker Dean Foley, Adam Watts for centre Richard Symes and Tom Murphy for Wyatt. On seventy minutes a scrum against the head was won by man of the match for his all round play Rob Anderson, No 8 Alex Reed picked up the ball and broke two tackles to score a try. The final try by Coopers was again made by wing Newman who ran from the half way line to score under the posts with Bryan converting the kick.

Final score Old Cooperians 42 points, Crusaders 13 points

The 2nds travelled for a Merit Table game against South Woodham Ferrers 3rds and lost by one point.

October 24th

Old Cooperians maintained their unbeaten record in Essex 1 League with a fine win at Old Brentwoods.

Both sides conceeded numerous penalties in the opening five minutes but were unable to take any advantage with the kicks until  the six minutes when outside centre Scott Sarson landed a kick on Old Brentwoods 5 yard line. An excellent lineout throw by hooker Ray Flowers was won by flanker Alex Reed who set up a maul for  scrum half Joey Wyatt to run round on the blind side to score a try in the corner that fly half Jack Bryan then converted the kick from the side line. Coopers were now flying and four minutes later extended their lead when a backs move to the left was quickly switched to the right and a delightful cross field kick by Bryan was caught by right wing Mark Newman to score  Coopers second try. No further scores were added in the first half which became scrappy and resulted in yellow cards being given to Flowers and two Old Brentwoods players.

Score at half time Old Brentwoods 0, Old Cooperians 12 pts.

Coopers made a change of hooker at half time with Flowers suffering an injury with flanker Dean Foley taking over and Heinrich Zimmerman coming on as flanker. Ten minutes into the half excellent forward play released  the Coopers backs and the final pass by Scott Sarson to left wing Harry Fayers gave him the opportunity to score his try that was converted by Bryan. Coopers made further changes with Sarson taking over from Wyatt at scrum half and Ben Pinder coming on at centre, which was followed by full back James Edgar being replaced by Richards Symes with Fayers moving to full back. Further infringements again saw yellow cards being shown to both a Coopers and Old Brentwoods players.  On thirty five minutes following a ruck the Coopers No8 Simon Powell received a kick to the head that opened up a 1inch gash above the left eye and Edgar came on as a blood substitute. Coopers relaxed their defence and in the eighty fifth minute on the clock Old Brentwoods were rewarded for their effort when the left wing ran down the line to score a try in the corner.

Score at full time Old Brentwoods 5 pts, Old Cooperians 19 points.

League position following today's games

Team                   P    W    D     L       F       A      Diff     Pts    
Campion              6     6     0     0     362     55     307     12    
Old Cooperians     5     5     0     0     147     39     108     10    
East London         5     4     0     1     126     90       36      8    
Bancroft              5     3     0     2      245     50     195      6    
Clacton               4     2     0     2        58     44      14       4    
Old Brentwoods    5     2     0     3       94    125     -31      4   
Ilford Wanderers   5     2     0     3       71    147     -76      4    
Maldon                6     2     0     4       97     217   -120     4    
Thames                6     2     0     4     111     237   -126     4   
Millwall                5     1     0     4     115     118      -3     2    
Upper Clapton      6     0     0     6       34     338   -304     0    

The 2nds hosted Upminster 4ths at St Marys Lane and achieved an excellent draw with both sides scoring 21 points. Points scorers for Coopers were Keith Wardley with 2 tries and conversions 14 pts and Adam Watts 1 try and conversion 7 pts.

October 17th

Old Cooperians hosted Clacton in this Essex 1 league game and continued to maintain their drive with an excellent win.

Clacton with a twelve stone weight advantage in the forwards and a strong wind behind them drove Coopers into their own half and took the lead with a penalty kick when Coopers lock Dean Foley did not release the ball when tackled. On fifteen minutes  Coopers opened their scoring when fly half Jack Bryan evaded a tackle to dive over near the posts for his converted try after three previous attempts had been stopped near the goal line. Clacton missed a penalty kick following an offside by the Coopers backrow. No further scores came in the first half although Coopers were denied two try attempts when stopped by some stout defending by Clacton.

Score at half time Old Cooperians 7pts, Clacton 3 pts.

Ten minutes into the second half Coopers brought on Simon Powell at No8 with Alex Reed moving to flanker in place of Steven Fletcher. However before he had time to settle in Clacton's forwards one a ruck and barreled their way over for a try.  Coopers pack were having an excellent afternoon against a heavier Clacton pack with hooker Ray Fowers winning four against the head. Ten minutes later an excellent penalty kick by Bryan took Coopers to the Clacton five yard line.and a good throw by  Flowers was won cleanly won by Reed to set up a maul that culminated in flanker Brad Tiffin peeling away to dive over for Coopers second try. Scott Sarson replaced winger Aaron Waller and on seventy minutes Coopers increased their lead when Bryan slotted over a penalty kick. Coopers made their final change with Mark Newman replacing centre Richard Symes.

Man of the match was flanker Alex Reed

Final score Old Cooperians 15 pts, Clacton 8 pts

October 10th

Old Cooperians travelled to Maldon for this Essex 1 league game and came away with an excellent win.

Maldon took the game into Coopers half of the field from the kick off and only a stout defence stopped Maldon going ahead. Coopers gradually started to get ball possession and could have opened the scoring on twelve minutes from a penalty kick by centre Scott Sarson from the half way line that fell just short, when the referee reversed his initial decision following a stamping incident by a Maldon forward. Five minutes later Coopers won a ruck and flanker Stephen Fletcher picked up the loose ball and burrowed over for a try that fly half Jack Bryan converted. Maldon first try came on twenty seven minutes from their right wing who beat of two tackles to score in the corner. This was followed five minutes later when a blatant knock on by a Maldon forward, in intercepting a Coopers back row pass, was missed by the referee and with all Coopers players stopping the referee allowed the Maldon player to run some forty yards and score under the posts for a converted try. With half time approaching Coopers reduce the deficit with another well taken penalty kick by Bryan.

Score at half time: Maldon 12 pts Old Cooperians 10 pts

Fifteen minutes of intense play by both sides at the start of the second half did not produce any points. Coopers made a substitution with Stephen Miles replacing Rob Lancaster at lock. Coopers took the lead when Maldon were again penalised for hands in a ruck with Bryan slotting the kick over. A series of incidence amongst the forwards midway in the half resulted in both sides having a player yellow carded and from the next scrummage the Maldon lock was dismissed with a red card offence. With Maldon a player down Coopers took full advantage and opened the Maldon defence, scrum half Joey Wyatt took a quick tap penalty before feeding No 8 Alex Reed to make ten yards before passing back to Bryan to score under the posts and then convert the kick. Three minutes later Coopers right wing Matt Watkins made some thirty yards before being tackled but with Reed following up and winning the ball he was able to feed Watkins to run round and score behind the posts with Bryan adding the conversion. On seventy five minutes Coopers prop Rob Anderson suffered a calf injury and was replaced by Richard Symes with Steven Fletcher moving to into the front row. On eighty minutes a long Maldon clearance was caught by left wing Aaron Waller who made yardage before passing to Bryan then to full back Harry Fayers who again ran round to score under the posts with Bryan adding the points. With some eight minutes added by the referee Coopers ran in two further tries when 'Man of the match' flanker Brad Tiffin burst from a ruck to run some thirty yards before passing to Reed to score his try and Coopers sixth try was scored by right wing Mark Newman, who had come on to replace Wyatt, with Bryan converting both kicks.

Final score: Maldon 12 points, Old Cooperians 46 points


Old Cooperians 2nd's hosted Dagenham Knights in Merit Table 7 and went down by 20 points to 40 points. Points scorers for Coopers were tries by Adam Watts and Tom Simmonds with two conversions and two penalty kicks by Mark Sansom

September 26th

With no 1st XV fixture, Old Cooperians 2nd XV travelled to Chelmsford for their third fixture in the Merit League 7 and comprehensively beat the home side by eleven tries to nil. With five tries in the first half and six in the second Coopers dominated the game. Tries were scored by scrum half Joey Wyatt, centre Adam Watts, No 8 Stewart Masters, lock Rob Lancaster who ran forty yards for his try, Ray Flowers and sub Harry Fayers who had replaced centre Danny Dawes when he had to leave the field with a pulled muscle. Seven of the tries were converted.

Final score: Old Cooperians 2nd's 69 pts, Chelmsford 4th's 0pts

September 19th

Old Cooperians travelled to Aveley for this Essex 1 encounter with Thames and came away with two well deserved points.

Coopers conceeded two kickable penalties in the first five minutes but both were missed by Thames. Coopers full back James Edgar pulled a hamstring whilst chasing one of his high kicks and was replaced by centre Richard Symes with Harry Fayers dropping back into the full back position. On thirty minutes a kick and run from deep in Coopers half was chased along the right wing by Mark Newman who bundled the full back into touch, from the lineout a maul developed that was won by Coopers lock Sam Johns who powered over for a try. With half time looming Coopers attacked on the left flank with the ball being passed through the backs only for the final pass to be intercepted and the Thames winger ran the length of the field for a try that was converted.

Score at half time Thames 7pts, Old Cooperians 5pts

The second half was all Coopers with the first try of the half coming on fifty minutes when Coopers won a scrum against the head on  the left side of the pitch, excellent passing along the backs to winger Matt Watkins who passed inside to Captain and centre Luke Taylor to score his first try that flyhalf Jack Bryan converted. Seven minutes later a line out overshot the catchers and was picked of by lock Michael de la Fuente who made some fifteen yards before passing to Taylor who beat off two tackles to score near the post with Bryan converting. Four minutes later No 8 Simon Powell broke down the right wing and from the ensuing ruck the ball was picked up by Symes who beat the Thames defence to score a try that Bryan converted. All Coopers players were getting into the action and a delightful chip and chase by prop Rob Anderson nearly produced more points. Powell pulled a muscle and Ross Smith came on, prop Terry Snooks was substituted with ten minutes to play and Billy Wyatt, who looked devilishly handsome on the sideline, came on to continue the destruction of the Thames pack. On eighty minutes a Thames penalty on their five yard line gave Coopers a quick tap by Bryan to feed Newman to score his try that Bryan converted. With five minutes of extra time being played for various injuries Coopers won a maul on their own five yard line with Thames pressing and Watkins picked up and ran the length of the field before being tackled on the Thames goal line, excellent follow up by Coopers allowed Smith to collect the ball and step over for Coopers sixth try with Bryan converting. Man of the match was Captain and inside centre Luke Taylor

Final score Thames 7 pts, Old Cooperians 40 pts

Old Cooperians 2nd hosted Stanford 2nd in the Merit Table and scored seven tries to win by 45 pts tp nil. Try scorers were Adam Davis 3, Ken Fry, Stephen Fletcher, Dan St Pier and Adam Watts all scoring one each. Scrum half Joey Wyatt landed five of the seven convertions

September 12th

Old Cooperians opened their first season in Essex 1 for fourteen years with a fine home win over Upper Clapton.

With the game only four minutes played a kick from centre Scott Sarson and chase by right winger Aaron Waller, was caught by U. Clapton full back who was bundled into touch on his 22 yard line by Waller who quickly picked up the ball and threw in to flanker Alex Reed to collect and run through to score under the posts, fly half Jack Bryan duly converted. Ten minutes elapsed before an inside pass from Reed to Sarson was intercepted by an U Clapton player allowing him to score their only try of the game, which was converted. Coopers forward were dominating the line out and holding their own in the scrums and rucks against a much heavier pack. On thirty minutes Coopers won a ruck on the halfway and quick ball to scrum half Dave Pudney who chipped the ball over the backs to give an opportunity to Waller to collect  evade a tackle and score in the corner. With five minutes of the first half remaining Coopers won another ruck on U Clapton five yard line and with the ball passing between forwards it made its way across the field from left to right before prop Terry Snooks cut inside the opposition to score under the posts, with Bryan converting.

Score at halftime Old Cooperians 19 pts Upper Clapton 7 pts

Five minutes into the second half Reed with a good break and supported by No 8 Simon Powell took the ball up to U Clapton  five yard line before being tackled. Pudney picked up and a quick pass to hooker Ray Flowers enabled him to score Coopers fourth try. Flanker Brad Tiffin was yellow carded for not rolling away in a ruck but even with the one man advantage U Clapton could make no headway against a resolute Coopers side. With full time beckoning Sarson dropped a splendid goal from thirty five yards to round off an excellent display by Coopers. Man of the match was flanker Alex Reed.

Final score Old Cooperians 27 pts Upper Clapton 7 pts

Old Cooperians fielded a 2nd XV who travelled to Westcliff for a Merit League game against their 4th XV and came away with an excellent win  19 - 3. Coopers three tries being scored by lock Rob Lancaster and wings Cumbers and Blackburn

Season 2008/9

March 14th

Old Cooperians travelled to Loughton for this 2nd round game in the Essex Vase Handicap Competition with a 6 points disadvantage.

From the kick off Coopers immediately took the initiative and Loughton did not get into Cooper's half for fifteen minutes. On twenty five minutes Coopers won  own line out ball on their 22 line and swift move passing down the backs enabled outside centre Scott Sarson to use his speed and gain some fifty yards before releasing left wing Jack Bryan to beat the Loughton fullback and score under the post, Sarson then converted the kick. Five minute later Coopers went further ahead with a successful penalty kick by Sarson. Just prior to half time  a Coopers forward was penalised for hands in a ruck and Loughton  kick was successful.

Score at half time: Loughton 3, Old Cooperians 10

The second half opened with Loughton forwards gaining the ascendancy and from a five yard scrum they moved the ball to Coopers goal line and after a number of attempts finally were able to ground the ball for a converted try. Sarson then added 3 points with another excellent penalty kick and on sixty minutes Sarson quick pass to Bryan enabled him to produce an exceptional burst of speed and run through the Loughton defence to score under the post with Sarson converting the kick. Sarson was then yellow carded for hands in a ruck on Coopers goal line and from the penalty Loughton reduced the deficit. Loughton came back into the game with two further successful penalty kicks and took a 5 point lead on handicap only for Coopers wing Mark Newman to score a try in the corner and take the game into extra time.

Score at eighty minutes : Loughton 19 + 8 = 27, Old Cooperians 25 + 2 = 27

Extra time saw Coopers hooker & captain Ray Flowers take advantage of a Loughton miss catch from a high ball to collect the ball and sprint through the 22 for a converted try. This was followed by a third try from Jack Bryan having again been fed the ball by Sarson who converted the kick. During the second half of extra time Loughton were awarded a penalty try for another Coopers infringement on their goal line that was converted. Coopers sealed a fine win with another penalty kick by Sarson.

Final score: Loughton 34 pts, Old Cooperians 44 pts.

March 7th

Old Cooperians win but lose the tie on handicap.

Old Cooperians hosted Pegasus in the 1st rd of the Essex County League 2/3 Handicap Cup Competition. Depending on where you ended in the final league table each club received a points handicap. Coopers having finished second in League 2 had 2 pts whereas Pegasus who won League 3 had 16 pts. Therefore Coopers started the game with a 14 pts disadvantage.

 Pegasus started strongly with their backs making foraging runs into Coopers half of the field. On twenty minutes Coopers skipper and hooker Ray Floewers was yellow carded for retaliation and immediately Pegasus took the advantage with a converted try. This was followed on thirty four minutes with a second converted try  to give them a half time lead of 28 points including the 14 points handicap.

Some strong words and instructions at half time produced a changed Coopers for the second half. Quick interchanging moves and excellent handling saw right wing Adam Watts score a try by the corner flag and two minutes later centre Harry Fayers broke the Pegasus defence to score his first try by the left corner flag to reduce the true deficit to 4 points. With Coopers camped in the Pegasus half only stout defence kept them out until the closing minutes when fly half Scott Sarson broke a number of tackle and fed Harry Fayers to score his second try that Sarson converted and gave Coopers a true winning lead of 3 points. However with the handicap points added Pegasus go through. Coopers now face a tough test away to Loughton in the next round with Loughton having an 8 point head start.

Final Score: Old Cooperians 19, Pegasus 30

Man of the Match: Alex Reed

February 21st

Old Cooperians hosted Runwell Wyverns, at the School, in the last game in Essex 2 with promotion depending on the result.

Runwell kicked off and from the ensuing maul Coopers won the ball and centre Richard Symes broke through Runwell backs and with a fine pass to flanker Luke Taylor on the right wing gave him the opportunity to score in the corner for the first try inside two minutes. On four minutes Coopers extended their lead when fullback Harry Fayers caught a high ball and a quick pass sent Symes through from the half way line for a try under the posts that Fayers then converted. Runwell could not get into the Coopers half of the field and from another turn over in mid field centre Alex Reed ran through for a try under the posts that Fayers converted. Tries followed at regular intervals with Fayers, right wing Mark Newman and Taylor all adding to the score with Fayers converting one of the tries.

Score at half time: Old Cooperians 36 pts, Runwell Wyverns 0

Coopers were rampant in the second half with the forwards outstanding and ran in a further eight tries of which six were scored by forwards. Scorers were Newman, flanker Brad Tiffin two, No 8 Ian Milroy, lock Stephen Myles, hooker and captain Ray Flowers, scrum half Joey Wyatt and the final try from prop Sean Kavanagh after an excellent run by prop Matt Nunn who suffered a suspected broken ankle as he was stopped with two yards to go to the line.

Final score: Old Cooperians 84 pts, Runwell Wyverns 0

With this fine victory Old Cooperians finish second in the Essex 2 League and should gain promotion to Essex 1 with League Champions Millwall.

February 14th

Old Cooperians travelled to West Ham for this promotion battle against East London with both teams on 9 wins but East London with a 25 points advantage.

The game was fast and furious as both sides strived to take an advantage. Penalties were being given against both sets of forwards although resulting kicks went wide of the posts. Flyhalf Jack Bryan was tackled on the goal line following a delightful chip and catch by wing Scott Sarson and a quick feed to Bryan. First score for Coopers came from another East London infringement when Jack Bryan slotted the ball over the posts from the resulting penalty kick.

Score at hal time: East London 0, Old Cooperians 3

The second half opened with more infringements and within five minutes East London drew level from a penalty kick. Players from both sides were sin binned for persistent infringements and the East London hooker was sent off for a head butt on Coopers prop Billy Wyatt. East London maintained pressure  but were unable to break the Coopers defence, being held on the five yard line in numerous scrums. Five minutes from the final whistle Coopers again took the lead with another penalty kick by Bryan, however East London had the opportunity to bring the scores level when Coopers were penalised as the final whistle beckoned but the kick was missed and Coopers had ground out another victory.

Final score: East London 3 pts, Old Cooperians 6 pts

January 31st

Old Cooperians hosted the Essex 2 leaders Millwall in this top of the table clash and despite an heroic team effort could not achieve the victory they strived for.

Coopers opened strongly against a very strong wind and for the first ten minutes kept the ball in Millwall half. However Millwall first attack showed why they are undefeated, in the league, when quick ball from forwards to backs and out to the right wing saw him dive over for the first try in the corner. On fifteen minutes a five yard scrum was won by Millwall and excellent follow up by the fullback enabled him to evade defenders and score Millwall second try. Coopers made their first change with Brad Tiffin replacing Luke Taylor at flanker and Luke moving to inside centre replacing Richard Symes. Excellent play by both teams was applauded by a large crowd of spectators although no further scoring came in the first half.

Score at half time: Old Cooperians 0, Millwall 10 pts

Within five minutes Coopers had points on the board when Millwall were penalised for hands in a ruck, and fly half Scott Sarson was successful with the kick from 40 yards. Coopers had a fine passage of play and advanced to Millwall 22 but were unable to overcome stout defensive play to increase their score. On fifty five minutes Millwall forwards were again pressurising Coopers defence and it finally paid off when they  scored under the post and the kick was converted. Both sides had a player sin binned for hands in the ruck but whilst off the field niether side were able to take any advantage and although both sides gave their all no further scores were made.

Final score: Old Cooperians 3 pts, Millwall 17 pts

January 24th

Old Cooperians v Burnham on Crouch

Coopers hosted Burnham in this Essex 2 League game and put them to the sword with 8 tries.

With only ninety seconds on the clock Coopers forwards won a scrum and quick ball between the backs released left wing Ben Pinder to score Coopers first try in the corner. On ten minutes with Coopers forwards dominating the set plays, space was being given to the backs to run the ball and an excellent angle run by right wing Mark Newman received a short pass and glided over fo his first try of the game that Fayers converted. Five minutes later Burnham were penalised in  front of their posts for handling the ball on the floor and Fayers was successful with the kick. On twenty minutes Coopers prop Sean Kavanagh burst through to score his try having supported his backs as they attacked and collected a loose ball. Newman added his second try on twenty five minutes with a speedy run down the wing. Fayers added a penalty kick to bring the scoring for the first half to a close.

Score at half time Old Cooperians 28, Burnham 0.

Burnham spirits were raised in the third quarter when a drop goal attempt by their centre was successful. With Burnham attacking Coopers goal line  only an excellent try saving tackle by Sean Kavanagh prevented any hope of a Burnham recovery and it was not long before the well oiled Coopers pack were providing excellent ball to their backs and four further tries by Fayers, Newman 2, and centre Richard Symes with three conversions by Fayers completed the scoring.

Score at full time: Old Cooperians 54, Burnham 3.

Man of the match: Clint Eastwood

     Team                         P   W   D    L     F       A    Diff    Pts
     Millwall                      11 11   0     0    659    90    569   22 
     Old Cooperians           11   9   0     2    365  120    245   18 
     East London               11   8   0     3    378  168    210   16
     May & Baker               11   5   0     6    201  222     -21   10
     Loughton                   11   4   0     7    191  486   -295     8 
     Runwell Wyverns        11   3   0     8    222  336   -114     6 
     Burnham-On-Crouch    11   3   0     8    147  390    -243    6 
     Kings Cross Steelers    11   1   0   10      98  449    -351    2 

January 17th, 2009

Loughton v Old Cooperians

Old Cooperians travelled to Loughton for this Essex 2 encounter, which was  frozen off the previous week, and suffered their second loss of the season.

Coopers opened the scoring with outside centre Harry Fayers intercepting a ball in his own 22 and ot pacing all Loughton players to score under the post with fly half Scott Sarson converting. Sarson extended the lead with a penalty kick on twenty minutes. However, with Coopers being penalised for going over the top in rucks and being caught offside on numerous occasions Loughton came into the game and on thirty minutes a quick line out enabled their flanker to power over for a try that was converted. Just prior to half time a quality chip over the Coopers backs into Coopers goal area was touched down in the corner for Loughton second try.
Score at half time Loughton 12 pts, Old Cooperians 10 pts.

A successful penalty kick to both sides kept the score at a two point difference. Coopers left wing Adam Watts received a knock in a heavy tackle and was substituted by Dan Thomas who immediately reduced the deficit with a try in the corner. Loughton's forwards were piling on the pressure and Coopers flanker Ian Milroy was sin binned for hands in a ruck on the five yard line. From the tap penalty Loughton forwards overcame the Coopers defence and were awarded a try that was verbally challenged by Coopers lock Rob Lancaster who was  himself then sin binned. With two players off the park Loughton took the advantage and scored two tries and further extended their lead on thirty five minutes with their fifth try that was converted. Coopers kept attacking and with the last play of the game Fayers broke away and passed to Thomas to score his second try in the corner.

Final score Loughton 32 pts, Old Cooperians 23 pts.

Man of the Match: Sir Harold of Fayers

Old Cooperians vs Enfield Ignatians

January 3rd 2009

Without a league game Old Cooperians arranged a friendly home  fixture with Enfield Ignatians whose 1st team play in London Div 3 and an entertaining game it certainly was. Whilst the 2nd fifteen played away at Stanford le Hope.

Ignations pressurised Coopers for the first ten minutes with both forwards and backs making headway into Coopers 22 but on each occasion were held by Coopers defensive play.On fourteen minutes fly half Jack Bryan intercepted a Ignation pass in his own 22 area and with a deft chip over the advancing backs caught the ball and ran the length of the field to score under the posts and then converted the kick. From the kick off Coopers No 8 Simon Powell mistimed his catch and knocked on giving a scrum to Ignations from which they barrelled their way over the Coopers goal line for a try that was converted. Following an altercation between both packs a player from either side were yellow carded, and five minutes later another Ignations player received a yellow card, however Coopers could not take any advantage and Ignation heavier pack once again forced their way over for their second try that was converted.

Score at half time: Old Cooperians 7, Enfield Ignations 14.

Ignations extended their lead within four minutes of the second half when their right wing broke a number of tackles to score in the corner. Coopers responded when quick ball released centre Luke Taylor who scored a try under the posts that Bryan converted. Two minutes later a loose pass by Ignations was intercepted again by Coopers and centre Brad Tiffin touched down for a try. Coopers were now creating numerous openings and midway through the half Luke Taylor broke the Ignations defence to score his second try under the posts, for Coopers to take the lead by 5 points,  but alas the kick was missed. Ignations came back strongly in the last ten minutes and from a five yard scrummage  their forwards broke the resolute Coopers defence to score their fourth try which was converted and thus finished an excellent game with a win for Enfield Ignations by 2 points.

Final score: Old Cooperians 24 pts, Enfield Ignations 26 pts.

Man of the Match: Joe Wyatt

Old Coops 2s were also in action this weekend away to Stanford Le Hope's first XV. This was a game of two halves. With the sun in their eyes for the first half Coopers started strongly and were rewarded with a couple of penalties which 'Mad Dog' Scotty Sarson converted with ease. Unfortunately the only time in the half that Stanford got into Coopers half saw them break through a few tackles (no more than two!!) to score the only try of the half. Coopers though restored the lead just before half time when a sublime chip over the Stanford defence and 'sprint' through by mecurial scrum half Chumby saw the Stanford full back pick up only to be scythed down by the man mountain that is Chumby. The full back was done for holding on and Scotty slotted the penalty - three points Coops deservedly lead at half time.

The second half - different ball game - with the sun on our backs we lost our way a little. Stanford picked up their game and their well drilled pack forced a few mistakes from Coops. They scored a further three unanswered tries but Coops young team (not you Chumby) were not disgraced and kept battling away to the end. Excellent performances again from the firebrand Ben Prior, the rampaging wildebeest James Borman, Keith Wardley and Luke Barton had stormers in the backs but man of the match was Adam Felgate with a great display in the loose from the young flank. Coopers go down 22-9.

                               P    W   D   L       F        A    Diff    Points

Millwall                    9    9    0    0    504      90    414    18   
Old Cooperians          9    8    0    1    288      85    203    16   
East London              9    6    0    3    282    146    136    12   
May & Baker              9    4    0    5    158    168     -10     8   
Burnham-On-Crouch    9    3    0    6    128    307   -179     6   
Loughton                  9    3    0    6    159    360    -201    6   
Runwell Wyverns       9    2    0    7    181    265      -84    4   
Kings Cross Steelers   9    1    0    8      85    364    -279    2   

May & Baker vs Old Cooperians

December 20th
Old Cooperians were away to May & Baker in this Essex 2 encounter. May & Baker with the heavier set of forwards put Coopers under extreme pressure, and it was fifteen minutes before Coopers managed to get into M&B half of the field. On twenty minutes Coopers forwards won the ball and pressurised M&B defence. Two attempts to get over M&B goal line, when the ball was held up and could not be grounded, resulted in a third set scrum and flanker Dirk de Villiers took an advantage when the ball came out of the on his side of the scrum and ran through to score under the posts with fly half Jack Bryan converting the kick. Fifteeen minutes elapsed before Coopers scored again when quick ball along the backs presented right wing Mark Newman with his first try. Just before half time a well judged kick by Bryan gave room for left wing Matt Watkins to collect and run through for Coopers third try. From  the kick off prop Terry Snooks caught the ball and laid it off to full back Harry Fayers, who ran some seventy yards through the M&B players before passing to scrum half Joey Wyatt to touch down under the post for Bryan to convert the kick.

Score at half time May & Baker 0, Old Cooperians 24

The second half repeated the first half with M&B forwards keeping the ball in the pack and trundling towards the Coopers line but some excellent tackling kept them at bay. On fifty five minutes a break away by Fayers, who sprinted down the left wing left M&B backs floundering, to score under the posts for his second try that Bryan converted.. Dave Pudney replaced scrum half Joey Wyatt  and a quick ball from scrum to the backs gave room for centre Brad Tiffin to beat his opposing back and score a try in the corner. On seventy minutes M&B forwards were rewarded when following a number of rucks they managed to get the ball over Coopers line for  their only try & score of the game. Bryan added a further three points to Coopers tally with a penalty kick as the final whistle sounded.

Score at full time: May & Baker 5 pts, Old Cooperians 39 pts
Man of the Match: Steve Myles

Old Cooperians also sent a second team to play Bancrofts this week. A young inexperienced side played flowing rugby and ran the ball from all parts of the pitch. However the experience and size of the Bancroft pack got the better of Coopers invention and with break away tries at the end of each half they ran away with a 27-14 win. There were outstanding performances by James Borman, Liam Duffy, James Edgar and the centres Luke Barton and Dan Thomas.

Old Cooperians vs Kings Cross Steelers

December 6th

Old Cooperians hosted Kings Cross Steelers in this Essex 2 encounter.

From the kickoff Steelers gained the advantage and  with a Coopers forward penalised for going over the top from the ensuing ruck, however the kick was missed. At the next ruck Coopers lock Greg Fox was yellow carded for stamping although Steelers could not take any advantage. On thirteen minutes Coopers opened the scoring when a flowing move by the backs presented wing Mark Newman with the ball who ran through for the first try. Both sides were creating good moves only for the final passes to be knocked on in the cold weather. Just prior to half time Coopers were awarded a penalty in front of the posts that full back Jack Bryan, having returned from his "Antipodean" trip slotted over.

Score at half time: Old Cooperians 8, Kings X Steelers 0.

Coopers gradually took the ascendancy in the second half and on fifty minutes centre Harry Fayers broke through to score in the corner. This was followed by an excellent passage of play by Coopers forwards and saw flanker Dirk de Villiers receive the ball, beat two men and dive over for his try. The final try of the game was scored by Fayers, who  having collected a high ball mezmorised the Steelers defence to score his second try. Coopers with ten minutes remaining brought on their three substitutes to see out the final minutes and with this result maintain their promotion hopes.

Score at full time: Old Cooperians 23, Kings Croos Steelers 0

Man of the Match: Harold Fayers

Old Cooperians v Billericay 2's

November 29th

Without a leagues game Old Cooperians arranged a friendly with Billericay 2's at St Marys Lane and it provided a feast of tries for Coopers.

With only three minutes gone Coopers forwards were pressurising Billericay on there five yard line when captain and hooker Ray Flowers burst over the line for his try. Six minutes later flyhalf Tom Murphy ran at the defence, chipped the ball over the advancing backs, caught it and ran through for his try. Another well worked move saw centre Brad Tiffin add the third try that fullback Harry Fayers converted. Billericay's forwards at last got some momentum going and scored their only try on seventeen minutes. Coopers regained the ascendancy and tries from Fayers, right wing Mark Newman and another from Tiffin that scrum half Joey Wyatt converted ended the first half.

Score at halftime: Old Cooperians 34 pts, Billericay 2's 5 pts.

Coopers kept the pressure on Billericay and this half produced three tries from inside centre Luke Taylor, flanker Dirk de Villiers and lock Rob Anderson which Wyatt converted to bring an entertaining game to a close.

Score at full time: Old Cooperians 51 pts, Billericay 5 pts.

Man of the Match: Brad Tiffin

Old Cooperians vs Writtle Wanderers

November 22nd.

Old Cooperians hosted Writtle of Essex 1, at Sawyers Hall College, in this Essex President Shield 1st Rd tie game, as the pitches at the School were not available.

The first half was fast and furious with both sides playing attacking rugby. Coopers missed a penalty on seven minutes only to give away a penalty on the half way line that the Writtle kicker slotted over. Writtle went further ahead when Coopers gave away another penalty on their 22 line to give them a six point lead. On twenty minutes Coopers won a ruck and quick ball from centre Brad Tiffin to fullback Harry Fayers who fed winger Mark Newman, playing his first game for the 1st, beat two Writtle players and ran round to score under the posts with flyhalf Scott Sarson converting from a drop kick,  having nearly used up the one minute alloted when the ball was blown of the tee. From the kickoff Writtle went on the attack and scored their first converted try to retake the lead. On twenty eight minutes  another Coopers training ground move saw left wing Richard Symes score a well worked try with Sarson again converting, however within four minutes Writtle scored their second try when slack marking from Coopers allowed their forwards to break the Coopers line and feed the right wing. Coopers came within one point when Sarson kicked a penalty although again from the kick off Writtle pressurised the Coopers defence and scored their third try of the half that was converted.

Score at halftime: Old Cooperians 17, Writtle 25.

Coopers had the wind behind them in the second half but were unable to take advantage of it. Writtle increased their lead on forty six minutes with a penalty kick. Coopers continued to attack and on sixty five minutes were rewarded when following a number of scrumages in the right hand corner of the field on Writtle's five yard line the ball was passed to Sarson who floated a cross field kick to Harry Fayers who touched down for a try that Sarson then converted. Despite numerous attempts  Coopers were unable to break the Writtle defence in the last fifteen minutes and Writtle ran out winners by four points.

Score at full time: Old Cooperians 24 pts, Writtle 28 pts.

Man of the Match: Mark Newman

Runwell Wyverns vs Old Cooperians

November 15th

Old Cooperians travelled to Wickford for this entertaining Essex 2 Match against Runwell Wyverns.

Runwell took the lead in  the seventh minute when a Coopers player gave away a penalty in front of their post for having hands in a ruck. Coopers could not get into the game for the first quarter and Runwell pressed hard but could not break Coopers defence. On thirty seven minutes flyhalf Scott Sarson drop goal brought Coopers level and a successful penalty kick ten minutes later put Coopers ahead.

Score at half time Runwell 3, Old Cooperians 6

Some strong words at the break saw a revitalised Coopers. with only one minute gone fullback and captain Harry Fayers (in the absence of Ray Flowers) collected a high ball and ran through the Runwell defence to score a try that Sarson converted.  On fifty minutes  minutes Sarson added a penalty kick when Runwell were caught offside. Four minutes later a well worked move by forwards and backs presented inside centre Ben Pinder with the ball at full speed and he beat the Runwell fullback to score a try under the posts that Sarson converted. The final score of the game came in the sixty fifth minute when Sarson broke through the Runwell back line and scored a try that he then converted to take his points tally for the game to 20 ( T, DG, 2P, 3C)

Final score Runwell Wyverns 3, Old Cooperians 30 pts.

Man of the Match: Sean Kavanagh 

Old Cooperians vs Brentwood 3's

November 8th

Old Cooperians without a league game arranged a friendly with Brentwood 3rds/Vets at St Marys Lane.

Coopers had twenty one players available and coach Rob Anderson starting line up gave a number of younger players the opportunity to show there mettle. Brentwood had many years of experience and soon put it to their advantage by keeping it in the forwards and not allowing the Coopers backs to run the ball. On ten minutes Brentwood took the lead when they scored from a penalty kick. Coopers forwards were winning their scrums and from one the ball was moved down the backs to the right wing and an inside pass to flanker Dirk de Villiers gave him the space to  beat the Brentwood defence and score a try that scrum half Dave Pudney converted.

Score at half time Old Cooperians 7, Brentwood 3rds 3.

The second half saw numerous changes of players with all subs being given a run out although the intensity of the game remained high from both sides. On fifty minutes fullback Harry Fayers collected the ball on his own twenty two yard line and weaved a merry dance through the Brentwood players before out pacing his opposite fullback to score under the posts. Mark Sansom who had come on as a sub, playing his first game of the season, converted the kick.

Score at full time Old Cooperians 14pts, Brentwood 3rds/Vets 3pts.

Man of the Match: Skippy De Villiers

Old Cooperians v East London

November 1st

Old Cooperians hosted East London in this Essex 2 encounter at St Marys Lane in atrocious conditions of heavy rain and wind.

Coopers took the lead in the second minute following an excellent kick and chase from the kick off that resulted in a Coopers scrum on the East London five yard line. Luke Taylor playing at No 8, in a twinkle of the eye, had picked up the ball beat two men with shear speed and scored the first try for Coopers. East London gradually came into the game and with a strong pack and took the ascendancy but were unable to breach the Coopers defence. Coopers were giving away numerous penalties and finally the referee sinbinned prop Chris Little for persistent infringements, however they were unable to get over Coopers goal line. With half  time beckoning Coopers gave away another penalty in front of the post that East London slotted over.

Score at half time: Old Cooperians 5, East London 3.

Coopers with the wind and rain behind them played the long kicking game and took the play back into East London half of the field. On forty eight minutes fly half Scott Sarson gathered a loose ball steadied himself and kicked a drop goal to extend Coopers lead to five points. Coopers continued to force East London to retreat and on sixty two minutes from a Coopers scrum, scrum half Joey Wyatt fed Sarson to laid on a short pass to inside centre Ben Pinder who at full speed split the east London backs to score Coopers second try. Coopers put the game beyond East London with a successful penalty kick by Sarson on seventy minutes. East London rallied but were unable to get into the Coopers half for the remaining ten minutes of the game.

Score at full time: Old Cooperians 16 pts, East London 3 pts.

Man of the Match: Scott Sarson

Team                        P    W    D    L    F      A      Diff    Pts  
Millwall                     6    6    0    0    361     83    278    12   
Old Cooperians           6    5    0    1    196     77    119    10   
East London               6    4    0    2    164     98      66     8   
May & Baker              6    3    0    3    112     97      15     6  
Runwell Wyverns        6    2    0    4    160   170     -10     4   
Loughton                   6    2    0    4     83    280   -197     4   
Burnham-On-Crouch    6    1    0    5     85    196   -111     2   
Kings Cross Steelers    6    1    0    5     80    240   -160     2

Old Cooperians fielded two teams for the first time in ten years when a 2nds fifteen they played Rochford 3rds at St Marys Lane and won 15 - 7.

Millwall vs Old Cooperians

October 25th

Old Cooperians travelled to Victoria Park for this table topping match against Millwall with both sides going into the game undefeated in Essex 2.

Millwall immediately attacked from the Coopers kick-off when their centre ran through the Coopers forwards and backs before being tackled on the five yard line by fullback Harry Fayers who saved a certain try. Four successful penalties were exchanged in the first fifteen minutes with both sides scoring six points. On twenty minutes Millwall moved the ball along their backs to feed the left wing who scored in the corner. Coopers were forced to make a change when prop Sean Kavanagh could not carry on and Mike Swain took his place. On twenty eight minutes Coopers gained the lead when right wing Richard Symes touched the ball down for a try before being tackled and hitting the corner flag, Jack Bryan playing on the left wing converted with an excellent kick.. Millwall hit back six minutes later with their second try being scored by the right wing, however with the half time whistle beckoning Coopers forwards were rewarded when a well won ruck ball was picked up by prop Swain to score a try that Bryan converted.

Score at half time: Millwall 16, Old Cooperians 18.

Both sides strived to gain an ascendancy with the ball moving from one end of the field to the other. Millwall broke the deadlock in the 54 minutes when their right wing collected a long pass and sprinted through to score in the corner. Coopers tied the game at 21 points each on fifty seven minutes when Bryan slotted over a penalty kick, however Millwall took a six point lead with two successfull penalty kick only for Coopers to reduce the deficit to three ponts on seventy minutes when Bryan slotted over another penalty kick and bring his tally to fourteen points for the game With full time approaching Millwall attacked and an excellent back row move by their outside centre who fed the left wing to score his second try to put the game out of Coopers reach.

Score at full time: Millwall 32pts, Old Cooperians 24

Man of the Match: Steve Myles

League position after October 25th games

Team                        P    W   D    L     F        A    Diff    Pts   
Millwall                     5    5    0    0    318      70   248    10   
Old Cooperians           5    4    0    1    180      74   106      8   
East London               5    4    0    1    161      82     79      8   
May & Baker              5    3     0    2    102     83     19      6   
Runwell Wyverns        5    2    0    3    147    127     20      4   
Burnham-On-Crouch    5    1    0    4      75    169    -94      2   
Loughton                   5    1    0    4      69    270   -201     2   
Kings Cross Steelers    5    0    0    5      53    230   -177     0   

Burnaham on Crouch vs Old Cooperians

October 11th

Old Cooperians travelled to Burnham for this Essex 2 encounter and won 22 - 5.

Coopers kicked off and immediately attacked the Burnham defence but were unable to cross the goal line. Play was mainly in Burnhams half of the field and on twenty minutes Coopers took the lead when fly half Jack Bryan slotted over a penalty kick . From the Burnham kick off Coopers caught a clean ball and it was moved sweetly along the backs, out side centre Tommy Lock using his pace beat two defenders and slipped the ballto left wing Richard Symes to run through for a try by the corner flag, that Bryan converted with an excellent kick. On forty minutes fullback Harry Fayers burst though to score under the post,with inside centre Scott Sarson converting.

Score at half time:  Burnham 0, Old Cooperians 17 pts

Both sides continued to give away penalties in the second half and the referee sent three Burnham and one Coopers players into the sin bin in the space of ten minutes. Coopers introduced subs Ian Milroy, Kieran Kavanagh and Sean Kavanagh midway through the half. Jack Bryan scored a break away try under the posts on seventy minutes but missed with his conversion kick when the ball struck the post. Burnham never gave up and were rewarded with a late try by their forwards just prior to the final whistle.

Final score:  Burnham 5 pts, Old Cooperians 22 pts.

Man of the Match: Tommy Lock

Old Cooperians vs Loughton - Essex 2

October 4th

Old Cooperians hosted Loughton in this Essex 2 game at the School.

With the slope and wind Coopers swept into and immediate lead from kick off when Loughton miss judged the wind and the ball did not travel 10 yds. From the scrum Coopers won the ball and fine passing along the backs saw left wing Richard Symes stride over for the first try that fly half Jack Bryan converted. Loughton could not get into the game and gave away a penalty in their own 22 that Bryan slotted over. On eleven minutes Coopers extended their lead from a ruck and prop Rob Anderson fed Bryan who darted between two Loghton backs to score a try under the posts, that he then converted. On fifteen minutes another excellent passing movement by the backs saw Symes go over for his second try and Coopers were coasting with 22 points in the first quarter. Loughton started to come back into the game and from a tap penalty ran the ball and managed to get the ball over the line but a Coopers hand under the ball prevented a try being scored . However just before the end of the first half Loughton forward won a ruck and their prop broke the Coopers defence for their first converted try.

Score at half time: Old Cooperians 22, Loughton 7

With the wind behind them Loughton took the offensive and within ten minutes of the restart had scored two tries. With some desperate defending Coopers somehow kept Loughton out despite having two forward players being yellow carded for infringements. With the game in the last ten minutes a break away try by centre Tommy Lock  disheartened Loughton and in the last five minutes Bryan scored two further tries that he converted.
Man of the match: Joe Wyatt
Final score Old Cooperians 41 pts, Loughton 17 pts.

Dereham vs Old Cooperians - EDF Junior Vase Round 2

September 27th.

Old Cooperians travelled to Dereham, in Norfolk, for this 2nd round tie in the EDF Energy Junior Vase with a bare fifteen players and despite putting up a valiant effort lost by one point.

Coopers had the advantage in the opening minutes of the game and were awarded a penalty in Dereham 22 but attempted to go for a quick tap and run the ball rather than take the kick, however, they were unable to get over the line and 3 points were lost. Dereham heavier pack started to gain an ascendency  following injuries to captain and lock Andy Lannin with a torn bicep muscle in his left arm and prop Sean Kavanagh aggravating a torn calf muscle. However with no substitutes available both players remained on the park. On twenty eight minutes Dereham scored their only try when the left wing was fed the ball and scored in the corner. Just on halftime the Dereham flanker was yellow carded for persistent offending and closely followed at the next scrum by Cooper flanker Steve Myles for playing the ball on the ground.

Score at half time: Dereham 5 pts, Old Cooperians 0

Within one minute of the second half Coopers had a penalty kick that fly half Jack Bryan slotted over, however a further penalty attempt two minutes later slipped by the left side of the post. Dereham kicked a penalty on eleven minutes only for Coopers to come back and take a two point lead when right wing Adam Watts went over for a try in the corner that Bryan converted with a magnificent kick . Dereham brought on three subs for the last twenty minutes and with fifteen minutes left scored with a penalty kick to regain the lead by one point. Coopers never gave up and had a last chance to score with a penalty from the half way line but alas the ball did not carry.

Final Score: Dereham 11 pts, Old Cooperians 10 pts.

Man of the Match: Steve Myles

Old Cooperians vs May & Baker - Essex 2

September 20th.

Old Cooperians hosted May & Baker in this Essex 2 encounter at the School.

Coopers hit the ground running and with only two minutes on the clock a well worked move by the backs saw inside centre Brad Tiffin race through for a try under the posts that flyhalf Jack Bryan converted. Coopers had numerous chances to add to the score but it was not until the thirtieth minute that a May & Baker scrum saw the ball fly out from the back of their pack and Coopers flanker Simon Robinson chased the ball and following a mix up by the M&B winger was able to ground the ball for Coopers second try that Bryan converted. With half time beckoning Coopers won a scrum on M&B 22 line and flanker Simon Powell held off three tackles to score an excellent try that Bryan converted.

Score at half time Old Cooperians 21, May & Baker 0.

Coopers made a change to their forwards at half time with Alex Reed replacing Simon Robinson. The game became some what boisterous and the referee had his work cut out to keep order. On twenty three minutes with M&B in Coopers 22 full back Harry Fayers picked up a loose ball and ran 90 yards to score his try under the posts that was converted. M&B at last broke the Coopers defence and scored their only try. Coopers then ran in two tries when winger Watts and Bryan ran through to score with one being converted.

Score at full time Old Cooperians 40 pts, May & Baker 5 pts.

Man of the Match: Brad Tiffin

Kings Cross Steelers vs Old Cooperians - Essex 2

September 13th.

Old Cooperians opened their Essex 2 season with an excellent win away to Kings Cross Steelers.

Coopers got off to a good start and on 5 minutes with the pack controlling an excellent maul in the Steelers 22 saw No8 Ian Milroy able to touch the ball down for the first try. Coopers then gave away a number of penalties, and from one Steelers reduced the deficit in the fifteenth minute, and two minutes later Steelers fullback broke through Coopers defence to score a try. In the twenty fourth minutes Coopers fly half Jack Bryan took a quick tap penalty and fed the ball to flanker Rob Andersen who crashed over for a try that Bryan converted. Coopers had a number of chances but could not add to the score until half time beckoned when a series of good passes between hooker Sean Kavanagh and flanker Steve Myles sent full back Harry Fayers over for his first try.

Score at half time Kings X Steelers 8, Old Cooperians 17.

Coopers made two changes for the second half with lock Ross Smith and centre Dirk de Villiers coming on and with a re juggled pack with Brad Tiffin moving to flanker Coopers commenced to dominate the game and tries flowed. Lock Rob Lancaster fed Fayers who ran through for his second try which was followed by an excellent surging run by Kavanagh before passing to flanker Steve Myles to feed Bryan for his second try, which he then converted. Two further tries were added by Tiffin when assisted by Andersen and Bryan respectively. Steelers got into the action, half way through the half, from a quickly taken tap penalty by the inside centre, on Coopers 22, who ran through a static Coopers defence to score a converted try. Coopers brought on winger Kieran Kavanagh as a direct replacement for Richard Symes. With ten minutes to go Bryan took a tap penalty on the half way line which was charged down by Steelers allowing Bryan to run through pick up the ball and continue running some 40 yards to score his second converted try. Fayers then added his third try when excellent running and passing between Kavanagh and Andersen presented the ball to Bryan who fed Fayers to score under the posts and then converted the kick.

Final score Kings Cross Steelers 15 pts, Old Cooperians 53 pts.

Man of the Match: Terry Snooks

Old Cooperians vs Writtle Wanderers - Friendly

September 6th. 

Old Cooperians had a friendly at home against Writtle Wanderers of Essex 1's and were decisive winners by 29 points to nil.

In pouring rain Coopers immediately went on the attack and on 5 minutes Writtle conceded a penalty in front of there posts, flanker and man of the match Simon Powell took a quick tap and passed the ball to No 8 Andy Lannin, then on to prop Rob Anderson who fed right winger Adam Watts  to run through for his first try. On ten minutes Coopers won the ball on the half way line and quick ball along the backs resulted in Adam Watts scoring his second try and his fifth in two games. Jack Bryan converted to add two further points. On twenty minutes Coopers extended their lead when a break away saw left wing Harrison Peacock collect the ball and make a fine run to score his try in the corner. Coopers with eight substitutes brought them all at this point to give every one at least twenty minutes play in the pouring rain. Just on half time  a maul developed in Writtle's 22 and Coopers forwards forced Writtle's pack back over their goal line and Simon Powell touched down for his try.

Score at half time Old Cooperians 22, Writtle 0

With the rain continuing to pour down the 2nd half became some what scrappy and Coopers only score was a try from centre Tom Lock which Scott Sarson slotted over for the added points.

Final Score Old Cooperians 29 pts, Writtle Wanderers 0.

Man of the Match: Simon Powell

Phantoms vs Old Cooperians - Essex President Shield - Preliminary Round

August 30th

Coopers open Season with against Phantoms in prelim round of Presidents' Shield and what a start.

Within five minutes of the start Coopers won a scrum inside Phantoms
22 and hooker Rob Anderson was fed the ball and burst through under
the posts for the first try that fullback Harry Fayers converted. On
twenty minutes from another scrummage Anderson fed prop Lee Morgan
who broke two tackles to score a try that Fayers converted. The third
try was again from the forwards when No8 and captain Andy Lannin made
a diagonal run to split Phantoms defence to score with Fayers
converting. The next two tries were score by right winger Adam Watts
following excellent passing of the ball along the back row and with
fast finishing Watts who ran through to score under the posts with Fayers
converting both tries.
>
Score at halftime Phantoms 0, Old Cooperians 35
>
Phantoms kept a spirited attack going however were overwhelmed by a
rampaging Coopers side and the second half was a repeat of the first
with a further six tries being scored by Morgan, Fayers 2, Watts, and
flanker Chris Webber and centre Brad Tiffin?, with Fayers converting
three of them.
 
Final score Phantoms 0, Old Cooperians 71.

Man of the Match: Harry Fayers
>

Season 2007/8

April 12th - Coopers travelled to Thames for this their last game of the season.

Coopers immediately took the initiative when on two minutes centre Jack Bryan intercepted a pass and ran through to score a try in the corner which he then converted. Thames were awarded a penalty when Coopers handled in a ruck and reduced the dficit. Coopers then missed a penalty kick against a gusting wind. However Thames forwards and backs then showed why they are top of  Essex 2
 and scored three tries, which were all converted to lead by 24 points to seven at half time.

The second half was a repeat of the first with Bryan scoring a try, only for Thames to add a further three tries of which two were converted.

Final score Thames 43, Old Cooperians 12

March 15th - Old Cooperians hosted Runwell, who had clinched the Essex 3 title the previous week, in a friendly game and took the opportunity to give a run out to many of their young players home from university for the Easter break.

The Coopers light weight pack could not hold the heavier Runwell forwards and it was not surprising when Runwell opened the scoring in the fifth minute when quick ball from the forwards was passed along the backs for their winger to score the first try. This was repeated in the tenth minute when their centre burst through to score a try under the post that was converted. Coopers with numerous substitutes made some changes to the pack and held Runwell for the remainder of the first half.
Score at half time Old Cooperians 0 ,Runwell 12 pts

Some serious talking at half time by the Coopers coach Rob Anderson resulted in two tries by Coopers in the first five minutes of the second half both scored by winger Jake Snellin following good running by full back Harry Fayers. Fly half Jack Bryan was successful with one of the conversions. Niether side was able to add to their scoring and the game finished in a draw.

Score at full time Old Cooperians 12 pts, Runwell 12 pts

March 1st - Old Cooperians hosted Kings X Steelers in this excellent Essex 2 League game.

Coopers kicked off and immediately went on the attack when Steelers knocked on in attempting to catch the high ball. Three scrums later Coopers were on Steelers five yard line and were awarded a penalty for hands in the ruck. Fly half Jack Bryan took a quick tap penalty and like a flash was over the goal line for the first try that he then converted with only two minutes played. On six minutes Coopers had a player yellow carded and from the penalty Steelers were successful with the kick. On twelve minutes Steelers forwards set up excellent ball for their centre to run through and score a converted try. On nineteen minutes Coopers won a ruck and quick ball from Bryan to inside centre Brad Tiffin provided the space  for him to beat three Steelers defenders and score his first try that Bryan converted. Steelers would not lie down and on twenty two minutes another series of miss tackles permitted Steelers wing to score under the posts for a converted try. As the first half was coming to a close Coopers packs won a ruck, on Steelers 5 yards line,  prop Rob Anderson fed lock Michael de la Fuente for him to score his first try of the season which Bryan converted.
Score at half time: Old Cooperians 21, Kings X Steelers 17.

Coopers made a number of changes for the second half and with Ian Milroy coming on the pack regained some direction. On forty three minutes Club captain and No 8 Andy Lannin scored under the post for a converted try. Steelers replied on fifty minutes with an unconverted try.however as the game flowed Coopers forwards were turning their opponents, over as tiredness crept in, and good ball from scrum half Ben Soper allowed both full back Harry Fayers and Brad Tiffin to increase Coopers try count to six for the game.

Final score: Old Cooperians 38 pts, Kings X Steelers 22 pts.

February 23rd.   Old Cooperians had a friendly game away to East London.

On ten minutes Coopers won a ruck on the half way line, quick ball from flyhalf Jack Bryan to centre Richard Symes who beat two attempted tackles in making some thirty yards before scoring the first try that Bryan converted. Eat London with fast wing men retaliated in the seventeenth minute with a try by the corner flag. Coopers came back three minutes later when a tap penalty, on East London's 22 by Bryan, set up centre Brad Tiffin for Coopers second try. With two minutes left of the first half East London were awarded a penalty try for an infringement in a ruck following a number of other penalties as Coopers defence attempted to keep East London out.
Score at half time East London 12, Old Cooperians 12

A penalty kick by Bryan early in the second half closely followed by a high cross field kick by Bryan enable Tiffin to score Coopers third try. However East London winger slipped through a number of Coopers tackle to score a try in the fifty fifth minute. It was not until the last five minutes when East london took the lead with an excellent try and an the closing minutes settled the game as Coopers attack was broken down and East London ran through for their fifth try.

Score at full time East London 29, Old Cooperians 20

February 16th.  Old Cooperians travelled to Coryton for this close Essex 2 encounter with Pegasus

Coopers took the lead on ten minutes when centre Richard Symes pick up a ball from the back of a ruck quickly fed flanker Stephen Myles who off loaded to outside centre Brad Tiffin who dummied the defence for passing the ball to fullback Harry Fayers who ran through tto score the first try that fly half Jack Bryan converted. With Coopers dominating the play on twenty one minutes Fayers was brought down illegally in Pegasus 22 and from a qquickly taken tap penalty by Bryan the ball was passed to lock Rob Lancaster who made some twenty yards to score his first try of the season. At thirty four minutes Tiffin playing his first game since an ankle injury early in December collected a high kick on the half way line and a cross field run of some fifty yards was only stopped when he was pulled back by the collar as he attempted to ground the ball by the corner flag - the referee awrded a penalty try and yellow carded the Pegasus player, Bryan converted the try. Pegasus were rewarded in injury time when their forwards surged over for their first try.
Score at half time Pegasus 5, Old Cooperians 19

Pegasus maintained their momentum into the second half and their pack began winning the rucks and mauls resulting in two converted tries in the fiftieth and seventy fifth minutes to level the score. Coopers defence held firm and in the last minute of normal time Coopers knocked  on when some thirty yards into Pegasus half. From the Pegasus put in Coopers won the ball against the head and a well waited pass to Bryan gave  him the time to score a drop goal and win the game for Coopers

Final score Pegasus 19 pts, Old Cooperians 22 pts

February 9th. Old Cooperians hosted a strong Bishop Stortford 3rd's and an excellent game of rugby was had.

Coopers attacked from the start and within six minutes were three points up from a penalty for a high tackle when full back Harry Fayers was brought down on the five yard line with the goal line at his mercy. Stortford came back strongly with some excellent passing between their backs and scored their first converted try on ten minutes, and on twenty three minutes increased their lead with another back row move that resulted in their second try. Coopers pack became dominant and following three scrums on Stortford's five yard line, Stortford requested uncontested scrums that was agreed to.
Score at half time Old Cooperians 3, Bishop Stortford 3rd's 12

Coopers came out strongly and dominant forward play in Stortford'd 22 resulted in a well worked try for scrum half Ben Prior playing his first senior game for the club. Ten minutes later Cooper took the lead when  winger Jake Snellin picked up the ball following a Stortford lineout that went 'pear shaped' side stepped two players and scored a try that Bryan converted. Stortford  still playing good rugby would not be beaten and with two quick tries one of which was converted regained the lead. However Coopers forwards won a ruck Bryan was fed the ball and an excellent cross field kick  was collected by Fayers who was flying and scored a try that Bryan converted to reduce the difference to two points in Stortford's favour. With no scores for the next ten minutes the game was into injury time when Stortford handled in a ruck on their 22 side line and the referee gave a penalty that Bryan successfully kicked and won the game for Coopers by one point.

Final score Old Cooperians 25, Bishop Stortford 3rd's 24

February 2nd.   Without a league game this week Old Cooperians visited Bancroft for a friendly against their 2nd's.

Coopers had just fifteen players while Bancroft's had twenty four players in their squad for the game. With a strong wind blowing acros the pitch the game was fast and furious for the first twenty minutes with numerous infringements and knock-on's. On twenty minutes a pick up by fly-half Jack Bryan and quick inside ball to centre Harry Fayers produced Coopers first try that was converted by Bryan. Ten minutes later following a series of miss tackles by Coopers allowed Bancrofts to score a try.

Score at half-time Bancroft's  5, Old Cooperians 12.

Three minutes into the second half an excellent passage of play by Coopers forwards was rewarded when Fayers was again the recipient of an excellent pass to score a try in the corner. However two minutes later Bancroft's responded an went over under the post for a converted try. On 50 minutes flanker Simon Robinson  made yardage into Bancroft 22 then  slipped the ball to Fayers to score his third try of the game that Bryan converted. Coopers forwards were dominating the rucks and mauls and further pressure gave the opportunity for veteran prop Chris Nicholls, playing his first game of the season, to pick the ball from the base of the ruck and make two yards before scoring a try under the posts that was converted. An excellent move on seventy minutes by Coopers backs was rewarded when Centre Richard Symes dived over for Coopers fifth try of the game.

Score at full- time Bancroft 2nd's 12pts, Old Cooperians 33 pts

• January 26th -  Old Cooperians 10, Clacton 16 (Essex 2)
• January 19th - Burnham 5, Old Cooperians 8 (Essex 2)
• January 5th -  Old Cooperians 17, Loughton 3 (Essex 2)
• Dec 22nd.   Upper Clapton 2's 12, Old Cooperians 37. (Essex 2)
• December 15th. Old Cooperians 10, Thames 16. (Essex 2)
• December 8th. Old Cooperians 17 pts, Maldon 25 pts. (Cup)
• December 1st. Witham 5 pts, Old Cooperians 21 pts (Essex 2)
• 24th November Kings X Steelers 5 pts, Old Cooperians 57 pts
• 17th November Basildon 2's, Old Cooperians 34 (friendly)
• 11th November Old Cooperians Colts 22 pts, Harlow Colts 19 pts (Essex Cup)
• 10th November Old Cooperians 18, Pegasus Palmerians 5. (Essex 2)
• 3rd November Clacton 36, Old Cooperians 5 (Essex 2)
• 27th October Old Cooperians 47, Burnham 28. (Essex 2)
• 13th October May & Baker 0 vs Old Cooperians 24 (Friendly)  
• 29th September Loughton 7 vs Old Cooperians 29 (Essex 2)
• 15th September Ongar 0 vs Old Cooperians 38 (friendly)   
• 9th September 2007 Old Cooperians 21 - Thames 6 (Essex Presidents shield ).