Woodham taste defeat 20 - 35

This weekend Woodham hosted division 1 North London team Bancroft. Both teams had won all their matches in the Cup up to this point so a great morning of rugby was on the cards.

Bancroft kicked off at the start of 50 minutes, with the wind against them. Both teams competing well at the breakdown, and defences holding strong, saw a tough period of play for both teams. Bancroft made the first break through, crossing the Woodham line after 10 minutes.

Working hard at the scrum Woodham drove Bancroft back on a number of occasions. Scrum Half Toby working hard against his opposite number managed to turn the ball over several times to pass the ball out to the waiting Woodham back line. Harrison working well up the middle of the pitch driving through the tackles to push deep into Bancroft's half. But the Bancroft defence stood firm, and after turning over the ball Woodham were on the back foot. Bancroft managed to push through to take the second try of the game, with a nicely worked try under the posts.

Woodham reorganised and pushed Bancroft hard. Holding the visitors inside their own half and slowly pushing towards their try line. However an interception saw Bancroft break free and although Woodham chased hard they were unable to stop Bancroft crossing for the third try. Woodham again worked hard and pushed Bancroft back into their own half. This time Woodham were able to get the ball through the backline and out to the wing. After taking a tackle Woodham moved the ball back across the pitch and Harrison broke the Bancroft defence to score Woodhams first of the game.

The rest of the half saw more of the same with both teams vying for the ball. Bancroft managed to put one more back over Woodham for the half time score 5 - 20.

Woodham kicked off the second half and used the prevailing wind to their advantage. Pushing the ball deep into the visitors half Woodham chased hard. Applying the pressure Woodham moved the ball through the backs. Bancroft countered and turned the ball over at the ruck. Bancroft pushed the ball out wide and charged for the Woodham line. Woodham's defence held and the ball was recycled out to Harrison. Driving forward through a number of tackles he crossed over for his and Woodham's second try. But Bancroft were not going to let Woodham back into the game easily. Drawing the Woodham side in, Bancroft got the ball out wide and let loose down the wing, Woodham chasing hard crossed to score again.

Woodham pushed again from the restart and after several minutes of play Woodham scored again through Harrison, 15 - 25. Woodham scored once more, again through Harrison, but Bancroft answered with 2 more before the close, 20 - 35. A tough day at the office, but Woodham showed guts and determination, and should be proud of where they have reached from the start of the season. Two more league games (Epping & Upper Clapton and Harlow) before the final Cup match in the Waterfall Final #8 against Epping & Upper Clapton.

A hard time for the coaches to call man of the match and effort of the week, but Toby got Man of the Match with Jack getting effort of the week.