In a thrilling day of rugby sevens action, our team fought hard against some tough competition, despite suffering three defeats to teams of a higher level, we refused to give up and kept our heads high throughout the day.

With a never-say-die attitude, we entered the 'wooden spoon' final with renewed energy, determined to finish the tournament on a high note. And that's exactly what we did, putting in a remarkable performance to secure a well-deserved victory.

The match was a true team effort, with everyone pulling together to put the team first and give everything they had on the field. The highlight of the match was our eight tries, with Caroline scoring three, Little-J scoring two, and Mel also scoring two, and earning herself the Captain's Player of the Match in the process.

Our defense was also solid, with every player putting in a shift to keep the opposition at bay. The final scoreline was a testament to our dominance, and the team can be proud of their hard work and determination to win.

Despite the earlier defeats, the team showed great character and resilience to bounce back and secure a victory in the final. It was a fantastic effort from everyone involved, and the team can hold their heads high knowing that they gave everything they had on the day.

A day that was not designed for spectators or indeed champagne rugby brought a merry band of Llamas to Thames rugby club.  The conditions on leaving the bus meant we sobered up pretty quickly, there were not going to be enough clothes or sprints in the world to keep a person warm out there. 

Apart from an early burst of flair from Myles Walker that made it very close to the try line, the first half was a long old slog, it felt at times that we were reprimanded after every decent run of play, but then we should really have been able to adapt to the whistle quicker than we managed to.  Thames capitalised on all the advantages they had, and for the most part had the better of the scrums, improvements to the Millwall scrum being noticeable with the late first half substitution of Toby Sanders.  The other late first half substitution that made an impact was that of men’s chair Sebastian Villard which resulted in our first try just on half time.  I was told that apparently he finds playing on the wing boring (he’s not wrong) yet he does it so well, he reinvigorated the backs while he was on the pitch., the effects lasting even when he came off part the way into the next half.

Going into the second half 17-5 felt much less daunting than it could have, the energy now feeling like it was coming with us.  We managed to contain Thames much better and they never looked all that dangerous again.  Our 13 and one of the French wings in particular looked threatening with ball in hand, after completing a solid attacking phase we were in Thames 5 when our fly half was clotheslined.  This resulted in a penalty try and some minutes worriedly pacing about trying to keep warm while worrying about the injury.  Fortunately our man got up and walked into the changing room and play briefly resumed. 

The appetite for the game had really gone out of the game for both teams after the incident and the score remained at 17-12 for the final whistle.

It is true, we are beset with practical issues these days, minibus logistics and no showers available on Millwall Park, we perhaps should not have been surprised to arrive at Hackney Marshes to discover our allotted pitch had been deemed unplayable by the referee. The 14.30 KO then became 15.20 while we waited another game to finish which felt ominous in the gathering dusk.

Containing an inform and battling at the top of the table Maldon felt like it was going to be a tough ask, particularly as we didn’t have our usual back line out.  However, the pack rose to the challenge decently in the first half.  The 0-5 score-line at half time was genuinely something to be proud of, despite a scrum moving in the wrong direction and defending deep in the trenches of our half for most of it, a committed and mostly successful defence in those circumstances was admirable.

The second half predictably began to show the toll all the defending had taken on the team, despite some really nifty sniper tackling from just about everyone in the back line* Maldon were able to up their try rate and come away with a bonus point.  We only really looked threatening with ball in hand a few times and it was disappointing to be denied a try (held up) when we did get over the line.

Working with a backwards scrum called for real effort at number 8 and scrum half.  Antoine Ragueneau at number 8 was rightly awarded man of the match for his rescuing of the ball at the back of the scrum and making back lost ground on the occasions experienced scrum half Mike Taylor wasn’t deftly distributing the ball away from the carnage. 

Notwithstanding the score line, it was an improvement on recent performances, still work to be done in getting the scrum right but a better penalty count and improved tackling across the team are positives to take.   However, my main question from the game is why on earth did Maldon feel they had to remove one on of our props shirts in every scrum?  It felt like we were watching a non-aggressive form of eye gouging. I guess it was a sort of compliment to Jamie Smiths propping they felt they had to do that..

* a wallop delivered by Kazu having drawn justified admiration from the Maldon spectators in the first half

Ok, whatever I write next doesn't really detract from the score line. 

Charlton Park are a good side with a team full of people that look like they run everywhere and can put a try in from anywhere.  A team that recycles the ball that quickly really just wants the ball in hand as much as possible, that calls for a big tackling response and that takes it's toll eventually.

Let's go with the positives, the Millwall points - they came early enough in the game to give us hope.  Had I managed to get the score at half-time it would have looked quite optimistic after a breakaway try by Seb Villard.  Not content with that he outrageously caught a ball out wide with one arm, began a determined sprint that culminated in him tripping over his own boot.  However, this appeared to set up the next try as Sam David managed to make something out of the next phase and put his hands on the ball over the try line.  Sebendipity.

I can pinpoint the moment the moment the game went beyond our grasp - it is when one of our props commented with - under the circumstances - restrained incredulity "You want to change your whole front row?"  Not content with pushing our stalwart front three to the limit they decided to bring on what may well have been their first team front row. Between the punishment in the scrum and outside of it, it was not a huge surprise the tries came quicker towards the end of the game.

Millwall tries: S. Waites, B. Bods, D, Jackson x2, G. Simpson

“5 points out of the game which is the most important thing as we push for a 3rd place finish. A decent performance and lots to be positive about, but we’ll also be working on our defence and discipline through to the end of the season.” - Andre Louw – Head Coach

Sustained Millwall pressure in the Writtle 22, with plenty of strong carries, eventually crack the defence with Millwall captain Sam Waites going over for the first try after 5 minutes. Writtle kick a penalty after half time to level the scores at 10-10.

A further 2 Writtle tries, to complete their outside centre’s hat-trick, leaves Millwall trailing by 14 with only 15 minutes to go. Millwall super-sub Dan Jackson finishes smartly under the posts, capping off some good phase play. Millwall prop George Simpson scores on the right after a Millwall break kept alive by some superb short passing and offloads. Dan Jackson crosses the whitewash on the right wing again, with only 2 minutes remaining on the clock, to convert the come from behind victory for Millwall at home.

Millwall I still sit jointly 3rd in Essex 1, bettered by Maldon’s points difference, but with a game in hand over Maldon.

Venus Try - Jackie Esono

“Very proud of how the team really brought the game to Barnes and continue to put into practice what we’ve been working on every training.” - Captain and try scorer Jackie Esono

Key Moments:

• Scoring the first try of the match

• Big hits especially by our loose forwards

• Driving Barnes back for their scrums

Venus Tries: Rachel Castola &Georgia Kurowska , Sophie Harrison (2 conversions)

“Can’t fault any of the skills and gameplay shown today and if we can fix the discipline the next games will be great.” - Coach Chirantha Ulapane

Key Moments:

• Edna Schweizer earning her 100th cap for the club.  

• Millwall scored two quick tries in the beginning of the match and showed improved structure and set pieces.

• An unfortunate number of penalties and ultimately a yellow card late in the match made it difficult to maintain momentum.

“The game offered many points to reflect on and further develop our already increasingly skilled squad.” - Coach Chirantha Ulapane

Key Moments:

• Significant number of injuries disrupted the flow of the game, very tight first half before at one point becoming 15 v 13 players.

• A number of players making a debut in a new position.  

Venus Try - Rachel Castola

“It’s really pleasing to see improving structure and tackling skills, especially from our newest players who are getting better and more confident every week.” - Assistant Coach Hayley Whitehead

Key Moments:

• Strong first half defence, including impressive countermaul from a lineout near the try-line which drove Battersea backwards

Millwall tries: H. Barrett, B. Lavelle x 2

“Not our best performance of the year, and some key areas to work on going forwards, but we got the job done. A win from our longest away trip of the season and another 4 points on the board. On to a huge fixture against Dagenham.” - Andre Louw – Head Coach

Harwich capitalise on poor Millwall discipline in their own half, kicking over the first points of the game after just 3 minutes. 5 minutes later, Harwich turns over Millwall playing too close to their own try line and, following the resulting pressure, dot down to go up 8-0. 

With just 5 minutes remaining and down 13-5, Millwall winger Ben Lavelle finishes a length of the field effort after looking dangerous since coming on at half time. 

Millwall 10 Sam David steps up to kick a penalty with time over and being just 1 point down… and narrowly misses left. However, Millwall manages to recover the ball after a turnover and put Lavelle in the corner again to win the game on the final play.

Millwall I sit 3rd in Essex 1, still close behind 2nd placed Canvey Island.

9 Tries, 8 conversions for Millwall / 1 try, 1 conversion, 1 penalty for Eton Manor

Manor opened the scoring with a penalty in the 5th minute before Millwall quickly replied 2 mins later with a well worked multiple phase try by winger Chomel in the corner. Thereafter Millwall scored 3 more tries (Barocci, Lamare, Constant) before McDonagh benefitted from a mazy run by Calvet, Millwall’s scrumhalf, closing the first half with a powerful drive over the line.

In the second half, Manor’s speedy winger scored off a ball which failed to find touch and ran in from 50m. However, that didn’t deter Millwall who were ultimately too much for Manor’s determined defence resulting in 5 more tries (Lamare, Morgan, Paige, Chomel) much to the satisfaction of the many spectators enjoying the mild December conditions. Millwall’s Lamare and Giancola continued to break tackles and in the closing minutes, Vinnicombe barrelled through Manor’s defence before passing to Morgan who ran in easily.

Captain Matt Evans said Millwall’s structured phase play, combining gritty forward play with a mostly French backline playing with flair and elan, was the deciding factor in the well earned victory and he looks forward to building on that in next week’s match which brings the first half of the 2019/2020 season to a close.

Key Moments:

• Paige’s second half Millwall try involving 6 players, starting with the ball flicked back into play on the right wing, passed through the legs onto 5 more passes across to the other wing before Paige received the ball back and scored under the posts.

• The battle of the 8’s where Millwall’s Newman and Eton Manor’s Dola-Lami traded crunching tackles

• Stand out players for Milwall included lock Oscar Farrar, winger Martin Lamare and No. 10 Emanuele Giancola

• The Referee imposed discipline with 3 cards during the match for overly enthusiastic discussion with him

Millwall Venus scores – 1 try, Bolade Alake (Conversion Jackie Esono)

“There were many promising performances from all players today. The training sessions have clearly paid dividends. All round, it was a wholesome performance utilising smart rugby skills and stellar match fitness.”  CJ Ulapane, Coach

Key Moments:

• Bolade scoring her first try. She built off strong forward attacking play to carry it over the line.

• A strong kicking game was utilised to create space when under pressure.

• Defensive game was effective with all players making ‘ball-and-all’ tackles.

It is currently mid-season with plenty of games to go. Our next game is away at Reading RFC on 24th November. The next home match is in the new year against Battersea on 5th January. 

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Millwall tries - J. Dyer x2, K. Umakoshi, M. Lamure, H. Peters

“Job done with 5 league points and another impressive defensive performance. The team is building strongly towards the mid-season Christmas break.” Shekhar Palit – Men’s Chair

Key Moments:

• Number 8 James Dyer crashing over after 6 minutes from a spell of sustained pressure in the Old Brentwoods 22.

• Winger Kazu Umakoshi finishing another Millwall attack smartly in the corner with just 9 minutes on the clock.

• James Dyer scoring his 2nd and Millwall’s 4th try from a long range counterattack, securing the bonus point win.

Millwall I still sit jointly 2nd in Essex 1 with Canvey Island, with a game in hand over Canvey.

Millwall I and II both continue their league campaigns next Saturday 23rd November. Millwall I are at home on Millwall Park vs. Maldon, 2pm KO at E14 3DN. Millwall II are away at local rivals East London II, 2.30pm KO at E15 3BP.

Millwall Rugby Club is recruiting players of all experience levels; men, women and children. Contactinfo@millwallrugby.com or visit www.millwallrugby.com for more info. 

Millwall - Harry Barrett, Penalty Try

“A fantastic hard fought win by the boys. I asked for our home ground to be a fortress, and they delivered. We are now in great league position being tied for 2nd with a game in hand.” Andre Louw – Head Coach

Strong work by the Canvey Island forwards exploited the Millwall blindside defence, to go in for an early score. A smart lineout move caught Millwall’s defence napping again 10m from the try line, with Canvey going over for another score after just 8 minutes.

 Sustained spells of pressure in the Canvey 22 by the Millwall pack eventually created just enough space out wide for winger Harry Barrett to finish well in the corner after 59 minutes. Further pressure on their own try line forced repeated penalty infringements by Canvey, resulting first in a sin bin, and eventually a penalty try for Millwall to put them up 12 – 10 with just 3 minutes to go. Millwall I are now tied with Canvey Island for 2nd place in Essex 1, but with a game in hand over Canvey.

Millwall I and II both continue their league campaigns next Saturday. Millwall I are away at Old Brentwood, 2.30pm KO at CM15 9SE. Millwall II are at home on Millwall Park vs. Basildon II, 2.00pm KO at E14 3DN.

Millwall Rugby Club is recruiting players of all experience levels; men, women and children. Contactinfo@millwallrugby.com or visit www.millwallrugby.com for more info. 

Millwall Tries - Dave Hayward, Ludovic Calvet, Malo Chomel

A tough start to the game having to play into a strong wind and uphill against a good team with plenty of pace in the backs, however Millwall came back well in the second half to control possession and territory. Ultimately Thames were by far the better team, but there were plenty of positives to take away from the second half performance. Not the best start to the season, but plenty of games left to improve our position

Key Moment:

• Dave Hayward powering his way to the line mid-way through the first half.
  
  

After a couple of weeks off, Millwall’s first team were back in action on Millwall Park this week. Having taken delivery of a new first team kit earlier in the week, courtesy of new first team sponsor Convedo, hopes were high the first team would play as well as they looked.  After just three minutes Millwall found themselves deep in to Billericay territory but a knock on saw the visitors awarded the scrum about ten metres from their own line. It was Millwall’s first chance to stamp their authority on the game and the forwards did just that, driving the Billericay scrum backwards and turning the ball over for the ever reliable Kris Reid to pick up at Number 8 and romp home from five metres out for Millwall’s first try.  Millwall were not going to have it all their own way however; a converted Billericay try followed 10 minutes later. As the half drew to a close the dominant Kris Reid romped home for another score however a Billericay try on the stroke of half time meant the teams went in level at the half: 14 all.

A breakaway try just five minutes in to the second half allowed the Millwall boys to settle further before what was arguably the try of the game.  A great break and pass from Martin Lamure at 10 allowed Jack Eastwood to dot over with nearly an hour gone.  A further try from Millwall five minutes later had the home side cruising before two quick fire tries from Billericay put the result back in doubt with only five minutes to go.  However some great game management in the last five minutes saw the Millwall boys take the result and move up to second in the league. 

Millwall's first team coach noted: “It is a good start to the season and another 5 point win means we keep the pressure on Dagenham at the top of the table. We also showed great character in the last ten to see the result out which is very encouraging for the rest of the season.”

Millwall's second team (known as the Llamas) had a tough day at South Woodham Ferrers 2s losing 48 - 19. There were some encouraging performances for the Llamas against a side that we knew would be powerful up front and also had some decent backs. 

The next league match for Millwall's first team is at home on Millwall Park against Canvey Island on Saturday 9th November (though a friendly is being sought for 26th October) whist the second team takes on league leaders Stanford Le Hope next Saturday 26th October at home. Kick off 2pm.

Milwall - 2 tries (Georgia Kurowska (7) and Rachel Castola (15)). Rosslyn Park 1 try converted.

“Fantastic to have an early win in the season and showcases the hard work that Venus have been putting in so far this season” Jackie Esono (Match captain)

Key Moments:

• Forwards drive the ball with a maul and Georgia Kurowska (7) scores Millwall’s first try. 

• Elena Bunbury holds up the opposition on the line and prevents the try.

• The backs get it wide. Edna Schweizer (1) passes to Jackie Esono (12) who quickly passes it to Rachel Castola (15) who scores Millwall’s second try. 

We are one step closer to progressing in the league and making our way up the league table.  Our next match is on 3rd November away at Barnes RFU. 

Millwall Venus will be holding a non-contact women’s rugby taster session on 6th November at 7.30pm on Millwall Park E14 3DN. Come and give rugby a try! 

Millwall Rugby Club is recruiting players of all experience levels; men, women and children. Contact info@millwallrugby.com or visit www.millwallrugby.com for more info. 

Millwall tries - S. Waites, S. David, S. Down, D. Jackson

“We’re disappointed to come away with a loss in a game we could have done more in to win, but picking up 2 bonus points was vitally important as the league table starts to take shape in the next few weeks.” Shekhar Palit – Men’s Chair

Key Moments:

• Captain Sam Waites stretching to dot over in the corner for Millwall’s first score, rewarding structured Millwall play, in a tough first half into a strong headwind.

• Writtle intercepting a pass, after several phases of Millwall building pressure, to flip the momentum and score under the posts.

•  Substitute Dan Jackson crossing the whitewash late for Millwall to tie up the score and force a nail-biting finish.

Millwall I now sit 3rd in Essex 1, after picking up 2 bonus points in the close loss. Millwall II are at home on Millwall Park vs. Pegasus next Saturday 5th October, 2pm KO. Millwall I next league game is at home against Billericay on Saturday 19th October.

Millwall - Luc (debut), Newman, one of their players we borrowed, Penalty Try

Alex Dziedzan - “We played some really good rugby and scored some great tries. But with so many Millwall players on international duty in japan, it was tough to stay in the second half after we picked up a few injuries. That said, im confident this will be a strong season for the Llamas and we will bounce back.” 

Key Moment:

• Flashes of brilliant rugby in the lead up to the first Llamas try.

This result means that Millwall IIs are 7th in the league but as it was the first game there is still all to play for. Millwall IIs next game is Saturday 29th September where they are away at Thames Rugby Club 

Millwall Rugby Club is recruiting players of all experience levels; men, women and children. Contact info@millwallrugby.com or visit www.millwallrugby.com for more info. 

Millwall - Tries: S. Waites, K. Reid, H. Peters, O. Jardine / Conversions: A. Manning x 3 /Penalties: A. Manning x 2

Clacton - Tries: 2 / Conversions: 1 / Penalties: 1

“We executed our 3 focuses for the game of communication, support play and tackling which sets us up really well for success at the start of this season”. – Sam Waites, Captain

After going in at half time only 7-3 up, Millwall pieced together several sharp phases involving all 15 men from the 2ndhalf kick-off, piercing through the Clacton defence for an early try. Number 8 / Hooker Kris Reid broke a raft of Clacton tackles late in the 2nd half to dot over for Millwall’s 4th try, securing the bonus point win.

With the bonus point victory in our season opener, Millwall I are propelled to 2nd place in Essex 1, behind local rivals Dagenham who we will face in December.

Millwall I’s next game is Saturday 28th September, away at Writtle.

Millwall Rugby Club is recruiting players of all experience levels; men, women and children. Contact info@millwallrugby.com or visit www.millwallrugby.com for more info.