South Woodham Ferrers V Fullarians

It was another day of disappointment for the South Woodham faithful as the lads went down 35 to 5 against a feisty Fullarians team buoyed by their victory against high flying Amersam last week. It was most definitely one of those games of two halves as the home side kept pace with their opposition for the first 40 minutes only to be let down by ill -discipline and naive thinking in the second.

The game started in the bright autumn sun and as usual Woodham found themselves down by seven points within the first 10 minutes of play. This time they hit back quickly with a fine try from Greg Tighe who finished off an impressive attacking run that exposed frailties in the Fullarians defence out wide.

Two penalties saw the visitors increase their lead to 13 points to 5 before Woodham had their brightest period of attack. Some determined forwards play brought Woodham to within striking distance several times but they could not find a way through the solid Fullarians defence. As the half drew to a close it was the Fullarians turn to go on the attack and only some strong defending from the home side and some great clearing kicks from Jamie Cox kept them at bay. Half time came with the game in the balance.

The second half was one that Woodham will want to forget as they were continually pinged for ill-discipline at the breakdown and for getting involved in unnecessary scuffles with the opposition. Andy Fry got his first yellow for an infringement deep in the opposition red zone. The resulting penalty allowing the Fullarians to clear their lines and ease the pressure the home side had put on them in the opening few minutes of the half.

It was the Fullarians who got that vital first score, with a penalty for a high tackle slotted over the posts. With the skies darkening quickly the mood of the game became increasingly tetchy as both sides claimed to have been victims of foul play. Tempers were running high when Andy Fry got involved in a scuffle and received his second yellow card and was sent off.

Fullarians now a man up were able to exploit gaps in the Woodham line scoring twice more in open play as they sought to gain bonus point win. Woodham fought back but could not find a way to break through a defence that held strong against the attacking drive.

As the half drew to a close and with Fullarians determined to score their bonus point try the game again flared up into an open scuffle deep in the Woodham 22. The referee determined that Tani Loka had been the villain of the piece and he received the home sides second red of the day. Two further scrum time penalties saw the inevitable penalty try awarded and with darkness falling, the game came to a bitter end for the home side.

The home side will be disappointed that they got drawn into the argy-bargy that saw two players red carded but equally should have learnt to keep their tempers and heed the warnings that the referee was giving. There were some positives to be taken from the game, the first half performance showed again that they can complete at this level and some strong performances from Joey Dukelow, Greg Tighe and in particularly from Sammy Sharpe and the Turner brothers could have produced much more. MOTM for the home side went to Jamie Cox.