South Woodham Ferrers V Southwold

South Woodham Ferrers played host to high flying Southwold this Saturday, losing out to the visitors by the narrowest of margins. After what tuned out to be a rather stodgy game the result turned on a few moments of ill-discipline. The home side lost 8 points to 9 despite being ahead for most of the game.

The game opened with the visitors on the attack as the home side took a while to get into their stride, Southwold opening the scoring with a penalty kick. The score seemed to wake the home team up and they were soon on the attack themselves. Strong defending from Southwold kept them at bay until Alex Baker evened the score with penalty.

Most of the play was coming from the home side and they were finally rewarded with a well worked try from Terry Stiffell. The conversion attempt grazed the post but went wide.

The half ended with home team deservedly ahead 8 points to 3.

For the casual supporter the second half would have been a disappointment as the two teams vied for control of the game. Much of the game was played around the centre line with both packs locked in an arm wrestle. Woodhams attack looked strong when the ball was spread wide but there was always someone there to make the last tackle.

Southwolds attack never really looked like breaking the line and it seemed like the points were in the bag for Woodham. This was not to be and in the end the game hinged on two late infringements by the home team, Southwold taking full advantage by converting the resulting penalties.

With only a few moments left in the game Woodham were again on the attack and managed to get themselves into threatening position. A penalty awarded for a high tackle could have given them back the lead, but the ref called the advantage over as the lads tried to press for the full seven points.

It will be immensely frustrating for the home side and their supporters. This was a game they should have won; on top for most of the game and against an opposition that rarely threatened they probably had done enough to bag the four points. In the end the infringements cost them dearly and Southwold will go away thinking how lucky they were to take the points that send them up into second place in the league.