Coach concerned with form of side

Old Streetonians head coach David Bailey was once again left disappointed after his side were well beaten 43-12 by Canvey Island last weekend.

Bailey’s men travelled east along the A13 full of hope and expectation to play a Canvey side that much like Old Streets had had a poor start to the season.

However, in the opening half and hour, the visitors were blown away and outclassed by the home side, and Bailey revealed that at that point the game was basically over.

“It was a very disappointing afternoon for us,” he said.

“We suffered a heavy defeat away from home against a team that I expected us to beat or at least be competitive with.

“The first 35 minutes, it was all one-way traffic, and everything that Canvey tried was working.

“Even the loose 50-50 balls were bouncing their way.

“By that time, I had given up any chance of us getting something from the game.”

However, with the last play of the first half, Old Streets did manage to score a try, which gave the team a glimmer of hope going into the break.

After the interval, Bailey’s men came out a new side and began to front up to the hosts and it wasn’t long before the visitors scored their second try.

“To be honest, I think that we actually won the second half,” said Bailey.

“We were in the contest more after the break and we gave a better account of ourselves.

“I just wish we could play like that for 80 minutes, not 40.”

Old Streets now find themselves in a precarious position second from bottom of London Two North East, and Bailey admits that he is starting to get worried.

“Yes, I am very concerned at the moment,” he said.

“But we have to remember that we have played some of the sides that will finish in the top six at the end of the season.

“We have only played one lower side and that was Lowestoft, a game that we won.

“We have some games coming up now that we need to play well in if we are to avoid a relegation battle.”

This weekend, Old Streets are in Intermediate Cup action when they face Middlesex side Grasshoppers.

“We have some key players back from watching the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, although they do need some fitness work,” added Bailey.

“Hopefully Saturday will give us the opportunity to play them, as well as some of our second team.

“We go into the game hoping that the cup can provide a welcome distraction from our league worries.”