1st XV v Ipswich

South Woodham Ferrers suffered another defeat on the road this weekend going down 52 points to 7 against Ipswich. This was always going to be a difficult game, but it was made harder with several first team players unavailable for selection. Nevertheless, the lads played with heart and will take some positives from the game, despite the score line.

The first half belonged to the home side and they took full advantage of a Woodham side that had been put together with very little time to prepare properly. Five trys in the first period put Ipswich out of sight and it was clear that the mix and match Woodham side was not going to get their first win on the road.

Playing for pride in the second half Woodham started brightly and their attack began to bite into Ipswich’s defence. Sadly, it was the home side that scored first, with a breakaway try and they followed that up with two more scores to put the game beyond any doubt.

Woodham showed some real heart and despite the mounting score against them, continued to hammer at the Ipswich defence. On one visit they managed apply enough pressure to get two Ipswich players sin binned as the defensive penalty count built against them. Tate Holliday got the consolation try that Woodhams second half effort deserved with Baker converting for the full seven.

Although the score looked alarming Assistant Coach Gareth Harper was keen to point to the positives of the Woodham performance. The line out and scrum held their own throughout the game and the team played with real spirit. He was keen to extend a special thanks to the second team players, including debutant Kieran Coulson, who stepped into the breach and played their hearts out.