Rugby: Woodbridge Ist XV v Wycliffe 1st XV Quarter Final Of The National Bowl
Score: Won 29-14
Right from the off, Woodbridge started to attack from their own 22, but after a lineout error Wycliffe won a free ruck and a drop goal was scored. Woodbridge were unfazed and Wycliffe’s defence was tested after runs from James Brown and James Bellhouse. Woodbridge improved their attacking depth and pulled in their defence. Hugo Kelleway found a gap and beat the full back and winger to score. Tom Innes converted for a 7-3 lead.
Wycliffe made a long range penalty attempt but missed. Rupert Clogg caught a high testing ball and set up a Woodbridge attack. Hugo Kelleway kicked ahead, and Clogg made a great tackle on their full back putting Woodbridge in a good position. Tristan Hilger caught another high ball and drove inroads into the Wycliffe defence, before a lost ball allowed Wycliffe to press hard in attack and put Woodbridge under pressure on their line. The Woodbridge defence held defiantly.
The action was unrelenting; Tom Lomas chased down a Wycliffe attack, but a yellow card ensued after a high tackle. Woodbridge were now with 14 men and were camped on their try line. Wycliffe darted blind and their hooker squeezed over to score in the corner and take a 7-8 lead.
With a man down, Woodbridge rallied and attacked from deep. From a scrum the ball switched right, then left, before Captain James Bellhouse rampaged over to score out wide and gain a 12-8 lead for Woodbridge.
Soon thereafter Kieron Saxton caught a ball out wide, but after his scintillating run he was isolated and the ball was lost. A Penalty was given and Woodbridge had a narrow 12-11 lead at half time.
The second half did not start as planned, and after discipline at the breakdown and a further penalty, Wycliffe took a 12-14 lead. Midfield battles ensued, and both teams had their fair share of attacking and defending to do. A very high tackle on Rupert Clogg broke the deadlock, and Wycliffe’s talented centre was yellow-carded. Hugo Kelleway made a great jinking run, and Wycliffe were put onto the back foot. Woodbridge spun the ball wide and Rupert Clogg scored a well-deserved try in the corner for Woodbridge to take a 17-14 lead. Woodbridge continued to press and after a cross field kick from Hugo Kelleway, Wycliffe were under immense pressure on their line. A quickly taken penalty and lightening quick hands put Will Pilkington into space where he expertly squeezed over into the corner. Woodbridge had taken a 22-14 lead and were now looking very dominant. Further pressure was applied to Wycliffe’s cracking defence which allowed man of the match Hugo Kelleway to spot a gap and go through to score under the posts. Tom Innes converted and Woodbridge were ahead and victors 29-14.
A great team performance but special mention to Hugo Kelleway orchestrating at fly half.
