Woodham narrowly miss out

South Woodham Ferrers started 40 minutes to late in their top of the table clash against Diss on Saturday.

In a game, supported by over 400 people with an excellent atmosphere saw a frantic and physical first 20 minutes from both sides.

Diss scored 2 tries within the first 20 minutes through their forwards and pure brute force. Running hard attacking lines. Woodham did well to slow down the experienced Diss 8 Steve Hipwell and there other explosive runners at 6 and 3.

Adam Brown responded twice through his boot to make the score 14-6, just before half time when the Diss 10 broke the line whilst Woodham had Ross Noakes in the bin to touch down. The missed conversion saw Woodham enter half time 22-6 down and the opportunity for a big Diss win.

Woodham galvanised at half time and continued to dominate the Diss scrum who couldn't handle the pressure or the drive of the Woodham pack. Liam Searles caused his opposite number problems all day and the first try for Woodham come through a scrum 5m out where after 2 phases, Lewis Gilbert passed high and wide to find Joe Dukelow on the wing for an impressive finish on what's been a great try scoring season for him.

Adam Brown slotted from out wide and the score was 22-13.

Woodham continued to pressure in the scrum, receiving continuous penalties in the red zone Woodham selected scrum after scrum, the referee had enough after Woodham's impressive pack drove them back for the third time on the trot before the referee went under the posts. Adam Brown slotted the kick as the referee put Diss down to 14 whilst yellow carding the Diss prop.

Woodham pushed hard and with seconds on the clock won a penalty 45 metres out. Andy Williams Woodham's very own Jack Daly bravely stepped up and hit the ball just wide and short of the posts.

Woodham's chase was excellent, but after 2 phases Diss did enough to scramble the ball off the park for the final whistle to win 22-20.

Head coach Tony Woods said "What a game of rugby, a real game the first 40 minutes Diss controlled and managed the game well, which showed in the scoreline. Like in every game this season we have always played for 80 and was unlucky to not win with the second half come back we made. Andy Williams showed great character to step up at the end and go at goal from the half way line. The second half Diss just could not cope with our speed, fitness and strength especially in the forwards. Liam Searles, a recent back row convert to prop ruined his opposite number. We now set up to go again in 2 weeks time to keep the pressure on Diss who still have a few hard fixtures to play and put our self in the best possible form for what may happen in the next few weeks may it be automatic promotion or play offs. The boys don't owe anyone anything, they left everything out there Saturday and it was one of my proudest moments since I have been at the club."

Joe Dukelow whose try scoring record this season is outstanding said "The support not just from the club, but the community on Saturday was great. So much local pride on show. In the first half they killed us, but in the second half we left everything out there and everyone is proud of one another. It's been a great season for the club and I've enjoyed scoring out on the wing, but that's what wingers do it's finishing off the hard work on the players in the back line. This season has had many ups, a couple of downs including Woodford away, but to bounce back and beat Epping, Campion and Woodford in the manner we did was excellent. I see yesterday result being another catalyst in leading us to our end goal at the close of the season. The game also answers a few questions in how to improve moving forward"

Jack Kershaw first team Manager finished off by saying 'The numbers on the sideline, in the club house after the game and the noise from the fans showed immense local spirit and how proud the town is off the boys. The whole of Woodham got behind the boys and I am sure after the game they watched on Saturday, many will come again to watch us see the season out. We have a week off this weekend, many of the lads have the weekend off to relax and repair but the 2s fixture at home against Southend will be great to watch with many players involved pushing to be in the first team."