Woodham away

This week the boys travelled the short trip to Southend to take part in their Development Festival. The festival followed the new rules that will be introduced for festivals next season across the union so would prove a good experience for all the players, with some of the boys attending thier first festival.

There were 6 teams for the festival, 2 of which we hadn't played before and only 2 which we had played this season. They were Brentwood, Billericay, Benfleet, Ipswich, the hosts Southend and Woodham. To keep with the rules setout for festivals, games would be 7 minutes each way and the number of players per side would be dependant on availble players due to Ipswich and Benfleet not having the 12 player for a full team.

Woodham were first up in the draw against Brentwood. This was a tough match for the boys, or rather they made it a tough match for themsleves as they didnt seem fully engaged. This allowed Brentwood the advantage, which they used to full effect scoring 3 tries over the game which remained unanswered at the final whistle from Woodham.

After a short break Woodham took to the feild against the home side. We had visited Southend earlier in the season when the boys played well but were able to hold the larger Southend Team back. Then it was 3-1 to Southend and todays festival fixture was to finish with exactly the same score, Bullet crossing the line for the Woodham Try.

Next up Woodham played Ipswich, one of the teams that we have not played previously. Ipswich had only 10 players so we dropped to 10 and reduced the scrum down to 3 men uncontested, rather than the usual 5 men uncontested. Tackling was good from Woodham and they dominated at the breakdown, turning over the ball on numerous occassions. Score at the final whistle was 6-0 to Woodham with tries from Ox, Bullet (x3), Mojo and Ashley (his first of the season).

Woodham then stayed on the pitch for their next match against Billericay. We had played them twice so far this season away in January and then at home a couple of weeks ago. Woodham came out on top on both of the previous encounters so the Bees were looking for the win this time out. Both teams started well, but Woodham slowly started to dominate the breakdown as they had done in the previous match. The Bees managed to put one try over on Woodham, but Woodham managed to cross the line five times by the end of the match. Tries coming from Rhino, Bullet (x2), Ox and Mojo.

The final match would be against Benfleet, the second of the teams that we hadnt played previously today. Benfleet had 11 players so Woodham dropped a player to even things up. The boys again took the dominate stance on the nmatch, although Benfleet did well pushing Woodham back on serveral occassions. The final score was 4-0 to Woodham with tries from Harrison, Owen (his first of the season) and again Bullet (x2).

The day was well organised and the boys really enjoyed the day of Rugby. A total of 17 tries scored across the team with 2 players scoring their first of the season, and Bullet scoring 8, with only 7 against them. Toby and Mojo getting MOTM and Effort of the Match trophies. There is no rugby next week as its Easter, but the week after we are away at Harlow.