This week Woodham hosted Old Brentwood’s

Old Brentwood’s came with 15 players due to loosing several over the last few days to injury via school fixtures. With a strong squad, 12 of who play for Essex, the league 1 team were going to be fearsome opponents for the league 2 Woodham in the first cup match of the season.
Woodham kicked off the match and both sides spent the opening minutes testing each other’s defence. Woodham looked good in the tackle but OB’s were stronger with some larger more physical players. The scrums were fairly evenly matched but OB’s were far more drilled and effective at the breakdown.

This strength showed as they attacked the Woodham defence and swung the ball out wide to push up on the Woodham 22. The ball pulled back in and after drawing Woodham at the breakdown OB’s let loose their back line and easily pushed over the line for the first try of the match. With the Conversion the visitors were up 0-7 inside 4 minutes.

OB’s continued to apply the pressure and although Woodham were able to win the ball they were not able to capitalise on the win, and kept cutting back in to contact rather than shipping the ball wide. OB’s had another break and again crossed the Woodham line. This time the conversion was missed and the score 0 – 12 to visitors.

Woodham again pushed hard and were gaining some ground against OB’s. However, they still couldn’t seem to find the chink in the OB’s armour to push through and cross the visitors line. OB’s again getting the better of the Woodham side by drawing them in and working quick ball through the running backline crossed for their 3rd try at 14 minutes. The conversion completed the score now 0 – 19.

Four more trys followed at 17, 22, 24 and 28 minutes with 3 conversions completed, Woodham’s head had dropped and the score line of 0 – 45 at half time didn’t reflect the effort put in by the team.

OB’s continued to apply pressure in the second half and a quick ball out to their wing and too much space being left available allowed them in for their last try of the day. The conversion good the match was won 0 - 52 to OB’s.

After a short break both sides agreed to continue as a training game, played in the spirt of the core values of Rugby. Woodhams man of the match this week went to George who’s work rate and tackling in the front row was impressive. Woodham did manage a consolation try through Bullet and the conversion was completed by Ox.

Plenty to take for today’s game and to implement at trying next week. If you’re interested in trying rugby and want to join the boys then come down on the 7th October at midday where you’re sure of a warm welcome, or contact Head Coach & Youth Chair Paul Neal via nealandbreezy7@gmail.com.