Woodbridge Colts (U18) progressed to the final of the National Cup – plate competition defeating Sandal 38-15 at Hatchley Barn on Sunday. Three tries from Leo Lewis, two from Lewis Jacobs and one from Ben Harrington, gave the Suffolk side a comfortable win over their West Yorkshire opponents, Jack Johnson converting four from six.
After some initial probing by both sides, it was the home team that seized the initiative. A loose kick was gathered by fullback Simon Plummer outside his own 22, and his mazy run took him to the half way line before offloading to the omnipresent Leo Lewis on his shoulder. Lewis outpaced the defence and in a double blow for the visitors, their scrum-half; Sam Tovey pulled up with a hamstring injury giving chase.
Soon after, Woodbridge skipper Lewis Jacobs crashed over from close range after the home team had opted to run a penalty, Johnson this time failing to convert.
Sandal then exerted an extended period of pressure, battering round the fringes against some resolute home defence. Harrington was yellow carded for persistent infringements in the red zone, and a score at this stage would have breathed life into the Yorkshire challenge. Instead it was the Suffolk team that broke, and after good lead-up play by Jack Moody, Leo Lewis showed strength to score his second try of the afternoon, giving the home team a 19-0 lead at the break.
Harrington made an immediate impact on his return, scoring at the start of the second half to snuff out any thoughts of an away comeback, and when Lewis Jacob added his second try of the afternoon, it was 31-0.
A converted try by Sandal finally got them on the score board but it was the home side that were calling the shots; the Woodbridge pack were retaining ball well with Sam Garrington to the fore, and Jack Johnson was dictating play from ten; mixing his game well with some sublime breaks and intelligent kicking.
A thumping tackle from Tom Ives enabled Leo Lewis, scavenging well; to complete his hat trick before a hard line from the Sandal centre, hitting a gap at pace, completed the scoring for the afternoon.
Woodbridge will now play Brentwood in the Plate final, the Essex club defeating Ivybridge (Plymouth) in the other semi-final.
Leave a Reply