Win against Upminster loose to Scarcens

Upminster 0 - SWF 25

SWF fielded a depleted side with 3 of the regular tight 5 and a scrum half absent. Upminster very kindly lent 2 forwards and a winger in order to facilitate a 12 a-side game. From the outset SWF backs were quick to close down the opposition, a tactic that has yielded good results (defensively) in recent games. This was followed by some very aggressive rucking from the forwards led by Jack & Owen, both playing perhaps their best games so far this season. Nathan put in an impressive display at scrum half, getting quick ball to the backs. Both George M and Tom (loan prop) made some probing runs allowing the latter to score twice in quick succession. Aliou followed this up just before half time with two fantastic individual runs from the back, the second one yielding a try. The same pattern continued after the break with Aliou scoring from a run from centre and George M also breaking through to score. SWF went close on several other occasions from Nathan, Owen and Josh.

MOM Jack Bolland
Scorers Aliou 2, Tom (the prop lent by Upminster) 2, George M

Saracens 45 SWF 0

The SWF backs that had played so well in closing down the opposition in the previous game were now forced into forward positions in the scrum as the only players available to loan from the opposition (their second team had a concurrent game) were backs. SWF managed to contain Saracens to 3 scores in the first half, this despite losing the influential George M to an injury. Aliou and George M were the pick of the defenders, making some very good low tackles. The forwards were performing well in the scrum despite conceding size and experience. Martin & josh in particular played well at second row & hooker respectively. The second half saw a more determined Saracens team. The Saracens forwards were winning most of the scrums and pretty much all of the ball in the loose. Further SWF injuries and some inconsistent tackling meant that Zander and Finlay were often left in two on one situations. The Sarries back line finally found their fluency with some very impressive passing moves to the wings and scored 6 further unanswered tries.

The boys did not disgrace themselves. A club like Saracens have significant resources and a SWF depleted team in unfamiliar positions lived with them for the first half. The boys did not drop their heads and kept battling to the end. Onwards and Upwards.

MOM - George Murtha.

Well done everyone.

SWF team was Jack, Josh, Martin, Owen, Finlay, Nathan, George M, Zander, Aliou, plus 3 guest players