South Woodham Ferrers 2’s welcomed the start to the new season

Both teams were eager to get the game underway and with the home crowd turning up in their numbers, gave the lads an extra boost to put on a good performance.

Woodham were suffering shortages in the pack with many still on holiday and the lingering aches and pains from last season still taking an affect. With the warm-up feeling like an 80 minute match for some, the lads were ready for kick-off @ 3pm. The referee blows the whistle and gets the game underway.

The early exchanges were showing good phase play from both sides which was proving that the first score was going to be hard fought. The Woodham pack dominated the early scrums which lead to a few turnovers giving the home side momentum in attack.

After a well drilled lineout from the forwards, a quick ball from Ryan G through the hands released Leon G to break the gain line and with some silky offloads from Taylor, Cairns eventually giving Sevie the easy score under the posts. Cox conversion success, score 7-0 Woodham.

Instant reply from the restart saw Writtle camped on the Woodham try for the next five minutes. Some fantastic tackles from Cox, Taylor and the Gateson’s stopped an almost certain Writtle try. Woodham responded instantly with a turnover scrum, which set the backs of Price, Cairns, Trigg and Taylor nearly resulted in a 2nd try. Good defensive play from the away side.

Writtle - Sin bin - for hands in the ruck, five minutes to half time. Woodham tried to capitalise on the extra man but a resilient Writtle defence proved enough going into half time.

Half Time Score = Woodham 7 – 0 Writtle

A quick pep talk by the skipper (Norkett) at the break and making two changes, (with A. Fry coming on for L. Knights and B. Renshaw coming
on the wing for L. Gateson) saw the second half get underway.

Writtle responded instantly at the restart by a quick turnover and stretching the Woodham defence to score a try in the corner. Conversion missed, score 7-5 to Woodham.

A great reply from Woodham at the restart, as they worked their way down the pitch forcing a number of penalties from Writtle. Penalty was eventually giving in front of the posts for coming off their feed in the ruck. Cox penalty success, score 10-5.

Momentum was favouring the home side as another combination breakaway run of Harry PK, Sevie, Norkett & B. Renshaw saw the a try go begging as the final pass went astray. A turnover at the Writtle lineout saw Woodham on the front foot again, but the away team matched them in defence later resulting in a knock on turnover.

With five minutes left on the clock, the home side made a third change with R. Gateson needing to go off (injury) so his brother stepped into fly half and Cox went to scrum half. Tiredness was showing with a few players and a few more gaps were appearing, but some fine tackles from both sides to keep the contest going until the end.

Full time whistle goes = Woodham 10 – 5 Writtle.

A great game to start the season where next week we begin our league campaign against Romford 2’s away. Thank you to Writtle for coming down and giving us a good game. Good luck to the rest of your season.

Starting XV line-up:
1. Martin Knights (FR)
2. Josh PK (FR)
3. Lee Knights (FR)
4. Martin Renshaw
5. Cameron Pease
6. Harry PK
7. Jack Norkett (Capt.)
8. Sevie Hurrell
9. Ryan Gateson
10. Jamie Cox
11. Jamie Trigg
12. Matt Taylor
13. Leon Gateson
14. Jamie Cairns
15. James Price

Subs:
16. Brandon Renshaw
17. Andy Fry (FR)