Woodham travel away to Harlow

This week Woodham travelled away to Harlow for the last game in the league, and with sights on maintaining an unbeaten season in the league. However this would be a tough call with 1/3 of the team unavailable due to Half Term.

Woodham won the toss and elected to kick off. Harlow took the ball and pushed Woodham from the start, breaking free and scoring the first try inside 60 seconds, taking the space Woodham left on the wing. Woodham kicked off again and pushed into Harlow's half, but a quick ball from a strong Harlow scrum saw the home side take the space left again on the left wing to score again. Harlow's 3rd try came from another ruck and again down the left wing. It seemed as though Woodham hadn't really turned up. Woodham pushed from the restart and were deep in Harlow's 22, when they turned over the Woodham ruck and got the ball out wide. Harlow charged almost the full length of the pitch with Cheeky giving good chase, but scored their 4th try inside the 10 minute mark.

Woodham finally got into their stride and started to probe the Harlow defence. Woodham awarded a penalty, took it quickly and immediately got another penalty as Harlow hadn't retreated the required 10m. Again a quick take from scrum half Michaels and Harlow were caught again by the referee, again for not retreating. This time Woodham got the ball out quickly and through several sets of hands before Rhino passing to Harrison who crashed over for the visitors 1st of the game.

Harlow were not giving in and after the restart Harlow turned Woodham over at the ruck, and getting the ball out to their back row managed to break the Woodham defence for another try. Woodham pushed hard and pinned Harlow back into their 22, but an intercepted pass saw Harlow break free and score their 6th try of the half. Woodham again attacked from the restart and awarded a penalty for a high tackle, Woodham took this quickly. Harlow again penalised by the referee for not retreating 10m, Woodham using the 2nd penalty to get the ball to the forwards who drove through the Harlow defence, getting the ball to Harrison who crashed over the line for his and Woodham's second try, as the half time whistle blew 30-10.

Harlow kicked off the second half and Woodham seemed to forget why they were there, allowing Harlow to power through to score. Woodham again pressed Harlow into their half and after several rucks Harlow broke free. Cheeky giving chase caught the Harlow player 10 meters out and with a try saving tackle, the ball spilt into touch. Woodham pushed again with a kick deep into the Harlow half, picked up and driven forwards by Cheeky. Falling badly after a tackle he left the the field for a head injury assessment. Woodham regrouped and through the hands of George, Rhino, Toby and Stig the ball ended up with Gerrard who crashed over for Woodham's 3rd try, 35 -15.

Harlow turned the screw and put Woodham under more pressure, with 2 more try's from the scrum, one from a penalty and one from a restart - it was now 55 -15 with only 10 minutes left. Woodham through determination, and the quick work of scrum half Michaels again pushed Harlow back from the penalty and gaining penalty after penalty for not retreating, Woodham crossed the line only to be held up. Scrum from 5m saw Woodham attack again but the Harlow defence held firm, with Woodham crossing a second time and again being held up. Woodham won the scrum again and pushed forward, this time George pushing for the line but again held up. Woodham dug deep once more and winning a penalty, taken quickly, scrum half Michaels managed to cross the line and touch the ball down for the last score of the match 55 -20.

A really tough day which didn't go Woodham's way but the guts and determination of the 14 players really shone through. The coaches couldn't have asked for more of the boys who gave everything, but credit also to Harlow's strong ruck and defence. A great mornings rugby which was exceptional at times to watch - Man of the Match going to Rhino and Effort of the Week going to George. This weeks team: Alex, Jacques, Jack, Dylon, Jamie, Ben, George, Harrison, Gerrard, Ross, Josh, Toby, Lewis C and Ashley.