South Woodham Ferrers RFC v Wymondham

South Woodham Ferrers RFC v Wymondham

South Woodham Ferrers made the long journey to the impressive new home of London 2 North East newbies Wymondham; coming away with a losing try bonus following an exciting but untidy game. Wymondham winning 38 points to 28 by virtue of a better place-kicking performance.

This was a game were Woodhams defence showed uncharacteristic frailties, especially in the face of Wymondhams well-rehearsed running moves on their very large pitch. The home side opened the scoring with converted try in the first 10 minutes, busting through holes in the back line to score under the posts. Woodham hit back soon after when their scrum proved too much for Wymondham. A quick strike allowed scrum half Kieran Ballinger to sprint round the blind side, through the defence and over the line to score. Unfortunately, the conversion was missed, setting a trend that was to plague the visitors throughout the game.

Woodham drew ahead shortly after when the Wymondham skipper was yellow carded for a high tackle. The resulting penalty was punted deep into the home sides 22. Woodham scored their second try from a driving maul off the line out. Wymondham scored next when they too put a penalty kick into the Woodham 22, crossing the whitewash after a well worked moved from the resulting line out. The try was converted, and they moved into the lead.

In the closing moments of the first half a Jamie Cox penalty brought the visitors to within one point, the score at the whistle 14 points to 13.

The second half turned into a try fest with Wymondham scoring four times to Woodhams three. The home side were able to take advantage of a series of missed tackles that allowed them to break clear and exploit their running game.

Woodham did not give up and tries from Tate Holliday and two from sub Alex Baker meant the visitors secured their own try bonus but without the extra points for the conversion they fell short of the important extra losing bonus.

Coach Tony Woods will have been disappointed with the defensive performance, particularly after the fine effort put in last week. Equally the lads will rue the missed opportunities that were undoubtedly there to secure, at least, the losing bonus.