London north east division 2 SWF 39 Stowmarket 15

Panic at Saltcoats when at 2pm kick off time there was no sign of the referee, frantic phone calls ensued but eventually the referee arrived having hit traffic problems on his way and we got underway 25 minutes later than planned.

SWF were first on the scoreboard when a rolling maul rumbled over the try line and it was flanker Liam Searles who touched down to leave SWF ahead 5-0. Both sides then contested the midfield area for the next few minutes, Stowmarket trying to get their backs going but SWF were also probing for weaknesses, and after some slick passing number 8 Bull found himself on the wing with only one player to beat, he slipped the ball to Wilson who raced down the touchline to score a good team try SWF 10 ahead after 15 minutes. It was to be a further 15 minutes before any scoring but during this period SWF spurned numerous opportunities and were punished in the 30th minute when from a planned lineout move Stowmarket crossed the line to leave the score at 10-7 to SWF. Stowmarket had got what they deserved as their lineouts were very impressive all day. However SWF did not panic and in the 35th minute after an SWF lineout Wilson touched down from short range. Cumbers converted the extras and 2 minutes later after a strong carry from the really impressive Langley, James Wilson crossed again for his hat trick and to secure the bonus point with the 4th SWF try. Stowmarket converted a penalty on the stroke of half time to leave the scores at SWF 22 Stowmarket 10.

The contest was effectively over 5 minutes in to the second half as the lads scored 2 good tries, first up was Lewis Gilbert who received a slick pass from Langley to score, which Cumbers converted, and then 3 minutes later from a 5 metre scrum number 8 Bull controlled matters to march the scrum over the line and touch down, score now SWF 34-10 ahead and in control.
Most teams would have folded but credit to Stowmarket who came again and for about 20 minutes they contested every play fiercely and they got their reward in the 65th minute with a good team try saw them touch down in the corner. SWF woke up again and with the unfortunate Price having been dismissed and the othe winger Duggan gone off slightly dazed it was a 13 man side that scored the games last try and it was no surprise that Wilson popped up again to score his 4th try and SWF won the game 39-10. A good performance against a resilient side with a bonus point win secured before next weeks long trip Yarmouth leaves the team in good heart.
SQUAD - Neil Gittos, David Langley, Lewis Gilbert, James Wilson, Greg Tighe, Liam Searles, Paul Pickworth, David Bull, Joseph Dukelow, Ryan Cumbers, Curtis Apthorp, Ross Rawinski, Warren Duggan, James Price, Andrew Jenkins, Stuart Whatling, Paul Morgan, Jordan Harper.