|
Captain - Gerry Martin
07896011748
Kit Sponsored by:
SWF vs
Romford 26th Mar 2011
League
Semi-final. Win 20 - 5
So, a league
semi-final. We got here through the contribution of everyone that played
during the season.
Woodham turned
up to Bancroft for the 1:30pm Kick Off. A bit of touch, bit of a warm up
and stretch, then everybody hangs around waiting for a referee, who
didn't turn up. Chaos ensued.
We managed to
get a young Westcliff lad to referee. 30 minutes each way, as was
dictated by the league, so that Dieter could get to the Gay Pride march
on time!!!
We got of and
running, Woodham moving the ball quickly and stretching the big Romford
pack. We had plenty of action inside their 22, but some penalties and
over-eagerness with the touchline beckoning let Romford of the hook. The
pressure finally paid, and Greg went over to score.
Our scrum was
dominating, but a bit of Keystone Kop action in our own 22 lead to us
securing our scrum, but Romford managing to dive on a loose pass
bobbling along over our try line. 5-5 at the half.
Second half was
much of the same. Woodham going forward at every opportunity, some great
hands and support to keep the ball moving. This paid of with Phil, David
and Brad going over for tries. All 20 players made a contribution, and
the final 20 - 5 seemed a fair result over the 60 minutes. The referee
was thanked for stepping in at the last minute.
Well done!!!
Final vs Westcliff on 9th April.
SWF 3rds vs
Romford 12th March 2011
Win 43 - 10
An important
game with 2nd playing 3rd in the league for the right to the home
semi-final.
Woodham turned
up with enough numbers, but without a hooker or regular scrumhalf ( who
seems to have got a taste for G&T in Leicester!!! ). We gave Romford a
winger to start the game, until their own man arrived. Uncontested
scrums with no full front row. This favoured the quicker Woodham pack.
Romford
forwards applied the early pressure, but as soon as the Woodham backs
got the ball they did their thing - went forward at pace. Good hands and
great support to give options before and in the tackle really helped
Woodham. With 5 men over 45 on the Team, the young lads needed to run a
bit!
Lee was
catching the ball and making good ground, as was Dale on the other wing.
Stuart moved into scrum half and had a great game. The forwards competed
well, and the firm ground allowed us to play quick ruck ball.
Gerry had a
great support run joining the line and then passing to the man on the
wing who was shouting one more pass, one more pass. He got the pass! It
was Milner running the bloody line. Throw in to Romford!!!
Tries came from
Dale, Lee, and someone else, and someone else again in the first half.
Half time 24 - 5.
Second half
Romford got more physical and made some good runs. But again when
Woodham got the ball out it went wide and quickly. Greg, Chris and
someone else scored in the second half. Someone else again having a
great game for Woodham. I'll try and keep a better track in future!
Final score 43
- 10 to Woodham.
Romford felt
robbed by a Woodham second Team, and when Big Pete and Squire Hall of
Bicknacre came on the in second half - they thought they were first Team
material! Rob played his first 20mins since going off injured at Ilford.
He thought he was in for a try at one point two sidesteps ( the second
when his ankle went again! ) and a straight run before the ref blew up
for an earlier infringement. Pete had a storming run up the middle, good
to see him back after the shooting season!
Great front
foot rugby from Woodham. Well played every one.
Bancroft 3rds
vs SWF 28th Feb 2011
15 - 5 loss
South Woodham
turned up at Buckhurst Hill with 11 men by 2pm. Our 4 youngest and most
dashing lads were still taking in the views of Woodford and the
surrounding areas. Having been given a map, and using at least one
Blackberry ( until the battery ran out ), they were struggling. We
managed to get a Bancroft player to guide them in by phone. We would
have had 16, but Big Stu was a no show again. This meant we had to go
uncontested, which probably did us a favour.
Woodham were
surprised to see so few Bancroft 3rd team faces from the last two
seasons on the park! But game on.
The unknown
Bancroft players made a real impact particularly the 8 and 10, and
Woodham went two scores down on a soggy park within the first twenty
minutes. We recomposed ourselves and started playing our normal game
with getting the ball out and letting the backs have a run. We came
close a couple of times, but were suckered two minutes from the half
when Bancroft scored a third. Their fly half was quick and saw the gaps
well, but couldn't kick. 15 - 0 at the half.
Second half,
and although Bancroft had the benefit of using their 6 subs through the
game, Woodhams' fifteen came out the blocks and scored. Great worked
from the forwards, Chris charging ( sorry standing - charging sounds
like movement was involved ) a kick, and Ellis screaming on the
blindside to show us where the space was. Rucker and English going over
together with the ball. Woodham dominated the second half, but with a
lot of hands in the ruck, and slower ball on the greasy surface we
didn't get over the try line again. Bancroft never came close in the
second half. A number of our players made great and exciting yardage
down the flanks with ball in hand and some good interplay, including
Lee, Ellis, Phil, Jason, Craig and Jack.
Amongst the
infringements penalised by the referee included the returning Nick
Morris off his feet going into rucks. We all wished Nick had been
getting there quick enough to go off his feet. Silky Rucker twice
penalised for tackling with the shoulder without using his arms. The man
has turned into an absolute ruffian this season! Undoubtedly trying to
add to his yellow cards. Gerry walking back was adjudged as standing and
not retreating.
Dusty managed
to get a little one to one time with the ref. Phone numbers were
exchanged after the game.
Dieter
dislocated/broke his finger and went off, so Jack took the throws. Andy
took a kick in the elbow, but got "Warrior of the Day", for seeing the
last 15 minutes of the game out with only one arm.
Jason made his
debut in the back three, and matched the quality and effort of Craig and
Jack.
A disappointing
result, but we stuck at it, and with ball in hand looked the better
team. Thanks to the Bowers, Langley's and Johnny for coming along to
support us.
SWF 3rds vs
Writtle 3rds 19th Feb 2011
5 - 5 draw
The rain for
the previous few days and all morning had softened the ground up nicely.
With four of the team called to the seconds on Thursday night we were
undermanned. Those not in the seconds were practising their skiing !!!
We may not be a great rugby team - but I bet we could downhill and apres
ski better than most.
Immediately
prior to the game we lost another man to the seconds leaving us with
just 13 men. We poached Theo the substitute winger from Braintree. We
then managed to sort the fifteen men of Writtle down to fourteen by
having one of their front row, the ever young and handsome
Graeme, referee the game.
Game on
14-a-side.
In spite of the
conditions both teams used the ball and the wingers were involved in a
number of moves through the hands. Despite Woodham having a full front
row, we were uncontested. This helped under the circumstances as the
ground was very soft underfoot. Johnny H made his debut and took the
team talk to heart - if the ball is on the ground, we are on the ground.
Very soon he was unrecognisable beneath a head to toe coating of mud.
Writtle young
backs outran us to score in the first half. 5-0 at the half.
With Charlie,
and Theo leaving at half time we were down to 12, then the seconds took
Big Chris. 11 men.
We borrowed one
from Writtle - a storng young lad called Mike.
At half time,
life vests and snorkels were issued.
The second
half saw Woodham dominate, even with the man short. On one occasion
Kieran ran through, beat the centre, saw the 9 stone full back and
thought, I'll just pass it outside me to a quicker man. Prop Brewer took
the ball 2 yards from the line and decided to try and show up the young
full back in a foot race to the corner post. Six other Writtle players
managed to overtake Richard on his way to the corner post. Stopped just
short of the line.
We scored with
Jack Williams coming of the back of a scrum to dive over. Louis back
from a long spell out covered brilliantly at fly half, and looked like
he had never been away.
Playing the
game mainly in the Writtle half was murdering the pitch, and once Craig
felt he was drowning at a breakdown both teams agreed at 5-5 we had
enjoyed the run out. Time to get in the showers and make them cold for
the second team.
A good all
round performance in difficult conditions. Big thanks to Graeme for
refereeing the game. Great start from Johnny.
Wanstead 3rds
vs SWF 3rds 12th Feb 2011
Game cancelled
by Wanstead.
Old Cooperians
vs SWF RFC 22nd Jan 2011
Game rearranged
to later in season
With the Colts
playing the last 32 of the National Cup, this left the 2nds requiring 8
from the 3rds. Game rearranged with Old Cooperians for later in the
season.
Well done
Dieter Le Paris ( honourary 3rd Team sponsor and part time player ),
Chris, Jack, Tim, Greg, Craig, Stuart, Andy and Lee in helping the 2nds
beat Upminster.
SWF 3rds vs
Westcliff 15th Jan 11
Walkover 39 - 0
awarded to Westcliff.
With a bare
bones Team available to play, we had to cancel the game as a number of
players went up to the 2nds, and helped them win 15 - 10 at Basildon.
SWF 3rds vs
Witham 8th Jan 11
0 - 10 loss
Woodham managed
to get only 12 on the park for the first section of the game, with a few
absences. 3 no-shows on the day. Most notably "Big Stu" the mystery
prop/2nd row. We anxiously await his call.
Lee was in bed
from nightshift - but he did call after the game to say he slept in!!!
Witham leant us
one of their 15 and our 13 played their 14.
It seemed
like the first 22mins for Woodham was in Witham's 22! Couldn't cross the
whitewash, and Witham steadied themselves and managed a converted try.
A couple of
young waifs entered the fray for Woodham at the half and it was our 14
against Witham's 15 for the second half. Again good possession and
territory lead to nothing for Woodham. Witham ran in one more try.
Conversion was missed. A frustrating day for Del, who was Captaining on
the day, who had been on a 100% win rate for the season until this game.
A good run out
after many weeks of not playing.
A disappointing
first outing for Woodhams new 3rd Team strip. Supplied by the
semi-retired veteran Dieter Parry. The team greatly appreciate Dieter's
donation of the strip and also his efforts on the pitch during the game.
The strip looked great on the rugby pitch, more than can ever be said
for the benevolent Mr Parry.
THANKS DIETER -
MUCH APPRECIATED. Free entry to 3rd Team Dinner in April!!
Writtle 3's vs
SWF RFC 3's 13th November 2010
Win 48 - 19
Writtle's first
ever third Team game. Great to see rugby growing at the club.
Woodham ended
up fielding a mix team of 2nd's and 3rds on the day.
Your
on-the-spot match reporter was in Leicester and so cannot give a report
of the game. Although it was a 2:30pm kick off, your not-on-the spot
reporter was called by Greg at around 1:45pm. "I'm in Chelmsford. How do
I get to Writtle?" and also at 2:15pm by Tinus, "I'm at Maldon RFC,
where's the game?"
The team proved
too much for the first outing of Writtle, but everyone on both Teams
seemed to have had a good run out and enjoyed it. Possibly our first
game this season without someone injured - brilliant!!
SWF RFC 3rds vs
Basildon 3rds 20th November 2010
Win 20 - 12
Unfortunately
Woodham could not field a competitive front row, leading to uncontested
scrums. This favoured Woodhams more mobile and skillful pack. Steve and
James from Burnham again helping to get us to 15 men on the day. Bob
Pitts deserving a big thank you for refereeing at the last minute.
Strangely the
Basildon boys thought Bob's favourite line was, "Advantage Woodham", and
the Woodham boys thought it was, "Advantage Basildon". Well referee'd
and balanced!
In the first
half, excellent tackling and support showed Woodham to be on the up
against the bigger pack and backs of Basildon. Basildon repeatedly
spilling in contact, and Tim and Brad combined well at 8 and 9 to put
Woodham on the front foot from the scrums.
Greg ( 1:30pm -
I think my boots are in Writtle - do you think they'll still be there? )
scored a well worked move with great support and running in his mould-ons.
Tim managed to take a lose throw, and may have tripped over the line
from 5m. We tried rerunning it in slowmo, but it was too slow already.
Matt's kicking - we will say no more. Ellis came very close, and was
putting in a very good shift with closing down and tackling. 10 - 7 at
the half.
Basildon made 6
changes at the half and came out strongly. They ignored their backs for
a while and battered us around in the forwards. Resulting in a try to
them. We stood of, then got back into it. Greg and Ellis ( first try at
senior level ) scored for us.
One of the
matches highlights had to be the running at pace through traffic, and
great support that the Woodham lads gave each other. The most talked
about incident however was Brad's drop goal/punt for the corner -
thingy!!! You had to be there. This will reappear at the end of season
dinner, without a doubt.
Del now 2 for 2
captaining the Team this season.
Ellis put in an
even better performance in drinking his half yard before we could even
get to the second verse of Zulu Warrior! Full yard next time!!!
Great effort
against a Team two leagues above us.
Ilford RFC 4ths
vs SWF RFC 3rds 30th October
Lost 41 - 21
A great
performance and display of character from everyone who played.
With only 9
Woodham men taking the pitch, 2 Burnham players ( Steve and James ) and
3 from Ilford ( Damon, Jason, Mal, Scott & Rob ) gave us a
starting 14, against Ilford's 15. Thanks to all those guys, it meant we
all got a game.
Our forwards
stood up and played really well. 14-7 down at the half. 14-14 on players
for a while at the end of the first half. Damon scoring for us.
We pulled back
at the start of the second half with Chris scoring his first senior try.
Woodham lost
two men ( Tom - compression of cheekbone and Chris - concussion ) in the
second half, finishing with only 12 men. Chris was suspected of jug
avoidance by coming of confused. That jug will come at a later date!
Some great
tackles, and barnstorming runs. Craig with some clever running into
space, David inspirational with a more direct approach! Brad directing
traffic really well at 9.
Ilford made the
most of the two extra men and big open spaces to kill us off on the
scoreboard. The last play of the game was Woodham passing through hands
and making a good run down the wing.
Lee making some
great catches and running hard. Proving we didn't need to hold our
breathe every time he was under the high ball. He worked hard and really
deserved his try.
Despite the
score, heads held high, a stand up and be counted performance by every
man. We'll all be very stiff on Sunday ( and Monday for some ) - working
to cover the lack of players!
SWF 3rds vs Old
Cooperians 2's 23rd Sept 2010
14 - 10 win
Injuries have
left us depleted, So we needed every man to get on the park. With only
16 available at the start, 2 went and played for Old Cooperians ( Thanks
Tom and Naz ), giving both teams 14-a-side.
A very tight
first half saw the young and talented backs of Old Cooperians come at
us. However we tended to go forward singly and not support the good
breaks that were made. Duncan looking good early doors with some
powerful line breaks. 0-5 to Old Coops at the half.
Martin and Jack
came on at the half. Ellis continued to play through the dead leg
suffered in the first 5 minutes. Ash dropped out with an injury.
Straight away
in the second half, Tom supported well to score against us! He should
have asked to kick it too! 0 - 10 down.
We then started
going forward in more than one's, and good scores from Brad and Greg
were converted by Jack - who had found his kicking boots after the last
time, he was immaculate with the boot every time he cleared and
converted. David again putting in some big runs. The quiet forwards
earned their beer, with Gary, Chris, Gregg and Craig working hard
throughout the game.
Jonesy retains
his excellent disciplinary record.
Although the
Old Coops backs had it going on, holding them out, showed good defence,
although we tended to let them come to us before making the tackle. Lee
will be at touch on Monday nights for a month - plenty of ball to catch.
A good result,
that hopefully we can build on.
Westcliff 4ths
vs SWF RFC 3rds 9th October
69 - 5 loss
The score
pretty much tells the tale. Beaten in the forwards, beaten in the backs.
We started off asleep and were three converted tries down within what
seemed as many minutes.
We didn't hit
quick enough, hard enough or often enough. Let ourselves down as a Team.
Monty from
Westcliff propped for us and two other Westcliff players joined us
during the fray for short periods. Thanks to them and Woody for doing
that.
Credit to those
who turned up and kept at it. There were some good moments, but mainly
on an individual basis. We had some phases of parity, and young Jamie
managed to score a terrific solo effort at the death.
Nick requires
an operation on his forearm ( broken both bones ). Jamie has a broken
fibula. Tom appears only have a badly sprained ankle. Thanks again to
Woody's wife for the attention she gave the guys.
A hard day at
the office as the old saying goes.
Thankfully a
number of the players texted in Sunday - and want to do better in our
next game. That's the spirit we need.
Romford 4ths vs
South Woodham Ferrers Sat 2nd October
34 - 27 Win
We turned up
with only the scratch 15, one prop ( who was a 2nd row, and not played
for a few seasons ), and a desire to get on the pitch. Romford gave us
Paul, one of their second rows, and he propped to make it a competitive
scrum. He did great!
The big Romford
forwards gave us a bit of a hiding in the first stages of the game, but
we settled in, only beating ourselves by somehow getting pinged for
every possible infringement known. The ref got on first name terms with
Gerry, as he repeatedly called a number of decisions against Woodham.
There seemed a desire by the entire team to have the ref tick them of
for something.
We turned
around three tries to two down. The Romford forwards making their way to
the line, and Woodham running in with the ball moving through hands.
Second half
Woodham reduced the number of stupid penalties. Good forward pressure,
securing the ball, and the backs running the ball. A Woodham spectator
joined the fray, "Naz - a non-rugby playing footballer", for the
injured veteran Warren. We found him shorts, socks and boots. He scores
in the corner! There can be no higher swan dive than his.
With the game
tied a 27-27 a Hail Mary kick gets to Ridgewell, who catches at the half
way, beats four to the corner, then makes it under the posts.
Well done to
everyone. Stu - first game - well played. Naz - champ! Paul - his own
team said he played terrific. David - another stormer. Jamie - two tries
against their fastest man.
Tries came from
: Darren, Tim, Jamie ( 2 ), Naz, and Lee.
SWF RFC 3rds vs
Bancroft 3rds 19th Sept 2010
39 - 5 win
Managing to
field a full front row this week - the opposition couldn't. So
uncontested scrums again.
3 of our
forwards went to play the full 80mins with Bancroft, and we had 5
players on their team at the end. Much appreciated guys - THANKS.
We started
strongly with an early score - Tim's back!, but then took the foot of
and got a bit soft around the breakdowns and tackle area, allowing
Bancroft to come to us. Aged veterans Coulson and Warren playing their
first games of the season, Ben R, Charlie and Connor playing their first
senior games. A good breakway by Gregg, supported from Craig allowed the
pair to go the length of the park to score at the end of the first half.
Unfortunately
we lost a man. Matt Bunn off to hospital for 15 stitches in his left
eye.
Second half
was a more focussed performance, with 5 tries scored to Bancrofts one.
Some real
rampaging moments from players in open play seeing them go past or
through up to 5 players. Ellis, Jon, David, Ben and Charlie all notable.
Ellis doing fantastically well to get in at the corner after a complete
Team move with the ball, but being held up whilst waiting for his photo
to be taken!
Reevesy was
still looking for his kicking boots after the game had finished.
Hopefully he'll find them.
Tim ( 2 ),
Craig, Stuart, Jon, Digga and someone else that I couldn't remember -
all scored.
11th September 2010 SWF 24 - 12 Ilford (Game 3)
A third successive win for a much changed SWF team
against the team they lost to in last seasons play off was a great
result.
SWF started well, scoring through Tate who burst
through the Ilford defence, but much like last week SWF never took full
control of their possession and dominance in the first half and conceded
a soft try.
New flank half Gibbo slowly imposed himself on the
game and scored 2 well deserved try's, both seeing him slip through the
Ilford defence with ease. The final score came from Stuart Rucker
following Gibbo's chip through and a mistake by the Ilford full back,
who claimed both Ilford tries with some neat and fast footwork.
Woodham were bolstered by an influx of colt players
who slipped in unnoticed at senior level. Tate and David "Inneeda"
Holiday both took responsibility to drive at Ilford and made yard after
yard throughout the afternoon.
Second half appearances for Reevey and Ellis also
impressed.
Thanks to Barry Gittos for refereeing and enjoyable
game and for the sideline support led by former Club Captain Marc
Jiggins and old time Ian Bright.
Final Score SWF 24 Ilford 12.
4th September 2010 Dagenham 17 - 60 SWF
The first merit table game of the season saw SWF 3rd
XV travel to Dagenham. A hard pitch and a warm day allowed for flowing
rugby and Woodham wasted no time in scoring as Dusty, who went on to
claim 5 assists, fed Harvey
Harvey Harvey to score in the corner after only 5 minutes. Dagenham hit
back and Woodham then scored again through Chef Darren, before a poor
restart led to a Woodham scrum on half way which saw a well executed
move finished by debutant Andrew (Jenks) Jenkins from full back.
Tries were then exchanged between the sides as neither side could
get their defence quite to fire. The score was close at half time, but
an interception immediately after the half time restart saw the
mercurial fly half Stuart Rucker slip in for an easy early try. This set
the tone for competent and flowing rugby with numerous scores without
reply. Woodham will have tougher tests this season, however this was
ideal preparation for what could be a very exciting season for Gerry's
team mixed with youth and experience.
The final score was Dagenham 17 - 60 SWF, with the
points going to;
Harvey
Rucker 2
Chef Darren 2
Jenks 2
Del
Tait Holiday
Ben Carter
5 conversations Rucker
Debuts
Tait Holiday
David Langley
Nick Morris
Andrew Jenkins
Gerry's thanks to all those that stood in for Dagenham
who were short, ensuring that everyone got a good game of rugby.
|
