South Woodham Ferrers RFC v Romford & Gidea Park 25.01.20

A very poor performance saw Woodham Ferrers go down 27 points to 10 against a Romford side clearly determined to escape relegation. This was probably the worst game the home supporters have witnessed in the last couple of seasons with the team only really playing for the first 10 minutes of each half. Romford played with all the spirit and determination needed to dominate play throughout the other 60 minutes and deserved their win.

The game started brightly for the home side who for once came out of the blocks strongly having most of the possession in the first quarter of the game. Possession could not be turned into points as attack after attack faltered with handling errors and strong defending keeping them out. As Romford got into the game worrying signs started show in the set piece. Woodham simply couldn’t deal with the Romford scrum and were pinged in front of the post and the visitors were quick to take the points.
With the home side on the back-foot Romford piled on the pressure and a further three scrum penalties in the Woodham 22 saw the Ref award them a penalty try. To try and bolster up the scrum Neil Gittos (performing the dual roles of substitute and acting team manager!!) was introduced into the fray and things started to look a little more even.

A missed penalty just inside the visitor’s half was the only scoring chance the lads had, and half time came with visitors deservedly ahead 10 points to nil.

The home supporters hoping for a better performance in the second period would have been buoyed by the early exchanges. Woodhams attack looked like they were getting the upper hand and two quick scores followed. First a penalty converted by Alex Baker and then a try scored by Jack Knowles, who was there to finish off following a great run from Joey Dukelow.
Any hopes of a turn round in fortune and a win for the home side were dashed by Romford who then ran in three unanswered tries to earn the bonus point win that will do much to help their hopes of staying up.

Woodham simply were not in the game for long periods and there will be much frustration that the normally fluid attack simply couldn’t get going. Too often individuals made breaks but there was no support to help capitalise on them; handling errors and more silly penalties often saw promising possession turned over and the coaches will have been mortified by some of the game management decisions. All in all this was a game to be forgotten and it is hoped that the lads can recover in time for the crucial visit to Holt next week.