Moreland disappointed

Director of rugby Andrew Moreland feels the number of penalties Barking conceded against Old Cooperians proved costly in a 38-24 defeat away from home in London Three Essex.

The Gale Street club club had hoped to build on a victory at home to Canvey Island in their opening league game the previous weekend.

Instead, Barking were left to reflect on their first defeat of the season as Coops ran out victors at St Mary’s Lane.

And Moreland believes the penalty count against the Gale Street club on Saturday hampered them in their quest for success.

“We were disappointed to lose on Saturday, but Old Cooperians were really up for the game,” he said.

“In hindsight, we gave away too many penalties and you always make it hard for yourself when you do that.”

With skipper Samuel John failing a late fitness test, Moreland was forced out of retirement and into action on Saturday.

The director of rugby admits that made it tougher for him to gauge who performed well in defeat, but did reserve praise for some of his fellow members in the pack.

“I thought David and Thom did well alongside me in the front row, while our locks performed well too,” he added.

“We’ve shown we have a good foundation in the first two games this season and we had four or five first-team players missing on Saturday.

“We just have to iron out a few early-season issues like any team at this level has to.”

Had John played, he would have come up against his former club and his brother Nathaniel, who plays as a prop for Coops.

Backs coach and fly-half Craig Ratford was another former Coops man in the starting XV for Barking on Saturday, and Moreland was pleased with how he handled the occasion.

“Old Cooperians seemed to be targeting Craig in the game, but he’s played at a high level so was able to deal with it really well,” said Moreland.

Barking are back in action on Saturday when the return home to Gale Street to entertain East London in their next league match.

Match report by Dagenham Post