L&Y RFC 5 v Warriors 32

Woodbridge was first to use the boot in blustery conditions, keen to take territory by running through a larger opposition. Lowestoft’s big Fijian No8 John Wedlock picked and drove from a maul to threaten in the Warriors 22 but a strong rip from Matt Bowman let full-back Angus Clogg clear. Aldis Salavejs took a penalty line out cleanly but the attack was thwarted by some aggressive defence from Lowestoft skipper Marcus Sale and fellow flanker Brett Thomas. Another penalty and Dan’s Bond and Knights bounded through centre-field for Jamie Smith to pass to Jono Cooke who set up Salavejs to score. From the kick-off Sale galloped down the left wing until stopped by Clogg. Play moved to the other wing where Wedlock belligerently barrelling through the Warriors line-out to score wide. Lowestoft kept up the pressure, Tom Dare kicking well but the Warriors had the territory, JP Hart nearly scoring from a cheeky kick chase. The intensity increased as both sides turned up the passion. A penalty gave Woodbridge three points and they kept attacking with some good hands. Patient build up was rewarded when scrum ball was moved through Cooke, Stokes and Clogg to Smith who scored. L&Y came back centre Stephen Gaines assaulting the Warriors’ 22 supported by Wedlock only for hooker Lewis Fox to fumble the last pass.

The second half started with a penalty against Lowestoft from which Smith made another carry supported by Bowman from which Sam Hallows scored under the posts. Kicks pinned the hosts back, locks Gavin Pashlec and Richard Hyde defended hard. Yet another penalty and Woodbridge were back in the corner quick ball through Hart, Tom Stokes, Smith and it was wing Simon Ward who scored. A couple of men down Lowestoft’s Dare kept the battle aerial exchanging kicks with Smith and Clogg. Stokes and Hallows ran from deep and Salavejs scored his second. Shortly afterwards Hart scampered 40metres passed to sub Jeff Buchanan who attracted a try-saving tackle from Lowestoft full back Benjamin Thompson. Outnumbered the home team kept up the pace but it was Woodbridges bonus point win.