Tri Match at Chelmsford

This week saw Woodham away to Chelmsford for the local derby, and also in attendance were last years Essex Festival Finalists Bancroft.

Bancorft would take on the hosts first which gave Woodham some time to run through some warm ups and practise some of their set pieces that the boys have been learn over the last couple of weeks. Brancroft came out winners against Chelmsford on what was a tightly contested game.

Woodham took to the field and after loosing the toss, were to receive from Chelmsford. Chelmsford were firing on all cylinders from the off which put Woodham on the back foot and soon they were defending on their try line. With a couple of larger stronger players it looked like it wouldn't be Woodhams day, but Woodham defended well and soon pushed the home team back into their own half. Tackling was good and support at the breakdown was strong from both teams, but Woodham being fresher had the slight edge.

Woodham kept the ball alive through quick hands and driving over at the ruck securing possession allowed them to continue to pressure the home side. Harrision finished off a great spell of play with a try in the corner to get Woodham of the marks. More good play from both teams allowed Chelmsford to score, but Woodham weren't opening the door for them. Additional tries from H and Rhino were answered by Chelmsford taking the score to 2-3. However another 2 tries from H to bring up his hat trick, including a 1 handed dive on a loose ball in the Chelmsford in goal area, saw the final score 2-5 to Woodham.

After a short break Bancroft took to the field. Bancroft again looked a bigger side than Woodham, and it was clear were significantly more drilled than the Woodham 12. Both teams testing each others defence, Bancroft took the early lead following an unusual decision from the Ref awarding them a try after Woodham grounded the ball in their own in goal area, which should have been a 5m scrum. Undeterred, the boys dug deep, playing to the Refs decision. Bancroft were quicker on the ruck than Woodham and this was to be the boys downfall, getting turned over on a number of occasions. The boys held their own for the rest of the match and only a small handling error allowed Bancroft through again to score in the second half. Final score was 2-0 to Bancroft.

The boys did extremely well this week, against 2 tough sides. Over the last couple of weeks the boys have really started to jell as a team and its a pleasure to watch some great rugby being played by all. Next week the boys are away at Billericay, before returning to Saltcoats for training on the 7th Feb.

Team this week were Alex, Stig, CJ, Elbow, Dylon, Harrison, H, Jack, Jacques, Jamie, Rhino, Lewis, Ox, Oliver, Bullet and Toby. Player of the week could have been any one of the boys, but was awarded H for his effort and his hat trick.