Woodham host Benfleet

This week the boys hosted Benfleet and Southend following the Easter break. With only 7 boys this week it was going to be interesting, although Ross who was still recovering made it along to cheer the team on.

Woodham started the session with some training and it seemed like the boys had forgotten how to play Rugby over the Easter break. Passing and communication were poor, the ball being dropped more often than not. Benfleet also had only 7 players so it was agreed to play 8 aside with Benfleet loaning Woodham a player for the first match and Woodham loaning Benfleet a player for the second match, with the final match for Woodham and Benfleet being 7 aside. After some more practise things started to improve and Woodham took to the field to face up to Southend.

Both teams started well, with Southend showing their strength in break down. But Woodham were not letting them have it all their own way and managed to turn the ball over on a number of occasions. Some good tackling from both sides with tries for both in quick succession, Bullet running round the Southend defence to level the score at 1-1. Southend seemed to tire in the centre of the pitch on occasions but had another break to take back the lead, 1-2. Woodham soon answered through H and started to win more of the ball at the breakdown. The final try of the match came from Toby, the Benfleet loan player taking Woodham to victory 3-2.

Following a break Southend took on Benfleet and the boys undertook some more practice. Southend won out clear winners but credit goes to a Benfleet side who didn't give up in the face of adversity. The final match saw Benfleet and Woodham take to the field.

Benfleet had a renew thirst for the ball following the defeat to Southend, and were soon across the line for the first score of the match. Both teams competing well at the breakdown, and passing the ball out to the line. Benfleet sustained an injury and for a short time both sides dropped to 6 players. Southend loaned Benfleet a player and it was back to 7 aside, but Benfleet had the lead on Woodham at half time, 2-3. Woodham tries from Bullet to bring up his hat-trick.

Woodham started the 2nd half better and were more fluid with the ball. This allowed H to break through the Benfleet defence from the restart to score his brace for the day. Benfleet kept pushing at Woodham, but their defence held strong. Ashley broke free down the right hand side and was tackled on the Benfleet line. Thankfully for Woodham, the ball broke free and was knocked backwards, and Ashley bounced on the loose ball to ground it for a try. It was now 4-3 to Woodham.

The final score for Woodham came for a great piece of skill for H. Weaving through the Benfleet defence, he chipped the players in front of him and charged through, with the bounce in his favour he collected the ball and was free to cross over the line. Final score was 5-3 to Woodham.

A great morning of Rugby from all 3 sides, and although Woodham seemed to start slowly in warm up, they finally delivered the goods when it counted. Training at home next week, followed by the Essex Festival the following week.

Team this week was Ashley, Crackers, George, H, Jacques, Rhino and Bullet with Support from Toby (Benfleet).