Harry Hobday reports
The Fifth match of the season was home and we were fired up despite the horrible weather conditions. It was very wet and windy so when Woodbridge kicked off we attacked ferociously causing handling errors. Woodbridge won lots of turnovers as the ball was slippery and it was very windy; however we also gave as many away ourselves, so we were often on the back foot. Our backs had three on one situations in defence as our forwards were committed in the rucks, and the game was being played 13-a-side, meaning the flankers were not on the pitch (and they contribute one of the strongest aspects of our game). By half time, they had scored two tries: but we were undeterred.
In the second half the Woodbridge team stayed committed to the game as the weather deteriorated. There were a series of crash ball where we really put them on the back foot showing our strength, and after some sublime handling Oliver Waldron scored to boost our moral. The fearless tackling never wavered, and despite their overwhelming numbers we put pressure on them turning the ball over and stopping them from scoring. We went on the attack again off a quick penalty, with the backs handling brilliantly in the weather conditions – notably Oscar Butcher with his evasive and aggressive running. The forwards then combined well for Louis Alexander to break the line and score under the posts. Unfortunately Langley responded in kind, but we kept going to the end. In particular Will Evans-Hendrick played in many positions and did well in all; and a mention goes to all the subs who stood on the side line in the awful weather and then came on and made an impact straight away.
Player of the match: Oscar Butcher and Louis Alexander
Tries: Oliver Waldron
Louis Alexander
Conversion: Saxon Gallo
