2nd Round Cup Match

This week Woodham travelled over to Epping Upper Clapton for the second leg of the cup competition. With just 13 players available for Epping, and no trained front row the teams agreed 6 man uncontested scrums for the duration of the game.

Woodham kicked of the game and were straight into the hosts defence. Camped firmly in Epping’s half the ball was moved around the back line well with the forwards pushing forwards for ground. Woodham pushed hard but the Epping defence held strong, with several attempts stopped just meters from the line. After 8 Minutes Woodham’s pressure paid off when Rhino crossed for the first try of the game. The conversion wide of the posts Woodham took the lead 0-5.

From the restart Woodham again took up camp in the Epping half. The ball moved round the back line and driven up again by the forwards. However, the Epping defence again provide hard to break through with Woodham taking 15 minutes to cross for the next try of the game, this time through H. Again the conversion not on target Woodham led 0 – 10.

Epping weren’t done though and after some back and forth between both teams they broke free from the chasing Woodham defence to cross for their first of the game just before half time. With the conversion Woodham held the lead by 7 – 10.

Epping restarted the second half with a newly found confidence and pushed Woodham back. It was Woodham’s time to show how good their defence was and after just 5 minutes of the half a well worked backs move saw Lewis P break through and with the conversion from Ox Woodham extended their lead 7-17.

Woodham showed flair and some great work in chasing down the ball with Forwards and backs have an exceptional game. The extra training ahead of the match seemed to have assisted Woodham and after 6 more minutes Woodham again crossed the hosts line through Gerard and the conversion secured by Rhino Woodham had a comfortable lead 7-24.

But the hosts were not finished and pushed hard against Woodham. Again the match was too and through up and down the pitch. The hosts managing to break through on 50 minutes to secure their final try of the match. The conversion unfortunately short the score now 12-24 to Woodham. Both Teams pushed for the final 10 minutes but no further score from either side.

A great game of Rugby this week with several players eligible for man of the match from both forwards and backs. Jim had a special mention for chasing the ball through from the start and taking a nice couple of catches to run the ball up. H doing well under pressure under the high ball and George again proving his consistency this season in the forwards.

Player of the match though went to Travis, for great tackling and generally making a nuisance of himself around the break down. Not bad for only his second game with the team. We also said good bye to George this week who is looking to try out football. Good luck for the future George and if things don’t work out your welcome back anytime. Next week the boys are training at home from 12:00, so if you’re interested in giving rugby a go, then feel free to come down and see what were about.