Woodham u11/12's vs Basildon

The first game of the season pitted the combined team against Basildon u12's. After a cagey start the Woodham forwards started to find their feet and begin to overwhelm their opposite numbers. At all times the forward line of Brad, Luke, Ryan, Matt, Rowan and Josh where there to support the backs and ensure the ball was retained. One such occasion saw Josh freed to make significant gains into Basildon territory.

The forwards once again forced the play and the ball was fed along the line with quick and incisive passes from Tom to Lewis no 2 onto Harry. After evading some desperate tackles Harry scored the first try of the game. Soon after the restart Basildon put together a string of moves to equalise.

Woodham then regained the lead through two quick tries. The first was made by a powerful surge by Ryan, stopped 5 yards from the try line. The forward line again arrived in support and proved too strong, the ball found it's way too Harry Jones to score his second. The third was all of Luke's making, picking the ball up on the halfway line and breaking free of tackles, running through to score a fine individual try. The half ended with Basildon scoring a breakaway try leaving the score delicately poised at 15-10.

Woodhams confidence rose in the second half in what turned out to be a dominant display of forward power and intelligent ball handling by the backs. One such pressured assault on the Basildon try line saw Luke break free for his second of the game. This was followed by a moment of brilliance from Harry to run clear from our own try line and tear his way up field to complete his hatrick.

Basildon where often thwarted in their attacks by ferocious tackling from the forwards and backs, most notably from Lewis no 1 & 2 who made try saving tackles. Not to be outdone by their team mates Shrae and Henry where tackling hard and always available to make yardage gains with clever running. One such instance saw Henry gliding across the turf a good 30 yards before being caught but far from lose the ball our forwards pressured the ensuing ruck and gained a scrum 5 yards from the try line. Tom picked the ball from the scrum and barged his way through the tightest of gaps to score Woodhams sixth try of the morning.

To round of the day Harry scored his fourth try after good work by the forwards to create space for him to accelerate through. Final score 35-10. Everyone of the boys played their part in a great days Rugby, so much more could of been said about each player. They should all be proud of the display put on for the watching crowd. Bring on Rochford!!!

We have training days coming up on the 6th and 13th October if anyone is interested in joining this young and dynamic squad.