The first playable home game since 14th October

This week Woodham hosted Witham, for what was the first match against this team and the first playable match at home for 9 weeks. Woodham fielded 8 players for the match giving the option of only one substitute for the 3 games that were to be played.

Both teams seemed up for the match from the off, with good tackling and excellent defensive lines on both side. The conditions were not great, with areas of the pitch under water and plenty of thick mud to wade through. This slowed the game down and seemed to give Woodham a slight edge, although both teams were fairly evenly matched. After 14 minutes of quality rugby the final score was 5 – 4 to Woodham with Tries from Ross (x4) and Morgan.

After a short water break both teams braved the mud again, and again both teams were fairly evenly matched. Witham had a couple of quick players that, given the space made Woodham pay the price. However Woodham dug in hard and made the tackles, taking the game at the final whistle 4 – 3, with Tries from Josh N, Oliver, Toby and Ross adding another one to his tally for the day.

It was agreed to play a third and final match, but with both sides (and the referee) tiring from wading through the mud it was agreed to reduce the match to 10 minutes. Woodham dominated the game, with Witham tiring more as the game went on. By now it was getting difficult to tell who was on which team, but Woodham won through when a relieved referee blew the final whistle 6 -1. Tries coming from Josh, Oliver, Samuel, Morgan and another 2 for Ross bring the days total to 7.

Squad this week was: Aaron, Ioan, Joshua N, Morgan, Oliver, Ross, Samuel and Toby.

An excellent three games from both sides in difficult conditions, and ending the year on a win was just the Christmas Present the Coaches were looking for, with the team celebrating by diving and sliding in the mud. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. Next match is away on the 6th January at Maldon.