This was a David and Goliath end-of-season clash that was a surprisingly exciting spectacle. Holt has had a great season winning 80% of its matches, Woodbridge 30%, but despite that the match was very evenly balanced. It was Woodbridge that defied the odds and mounted several close attacks, being held up and forcing some epic defence from Holt. Play went to and fro but in the last play of the half regular challenger; Holt winger Thomas Goose, finally drove over to snatch the lead.
Woodbridge took a mere ten minutes to fight back after the break when the hard-driving No 8 Aldis Salavejs ended a move started by wing Reece Monk and veteran Jono Cooke to equalise. The spectators were treated to more evenly balanced play as the result was held in the balance until, sensing a shock result, Holt changed tack and Oliver Jaggard kicked a penalty to retake the lead. The last 5 minutes of the game replicated the end of the first half, the Holt pack shoved over and scored on the last play and reminded everyone why they have been near the top of the table and will probably be promoted.
Ely used the breeze at their backs and a fast powerful running game to overwhelm Woodbridge early, with five first tries, a penalty try and the safe boot of number 11 Joel Scott-Paul who was successful with all the conversions to make it 7-40 at the break.
The Woodbridge score came after several minutes of sustained pressure with number 8 Aldis Salavejs diving over and number 12 Angus Clogg converting, which gave the hosts some fresh heart for the second half, which they utilised to full effect, holding the visitors to just 7 points and running in 17 themselves. however the damage had already been done in the first 20 minutes of the game and although the winning margin was reduced, there was no doubting the superiority of Ely
Ely tries – number 12 James Buckland, 14 Luke Turner, 8 Jacob Muncey, a penalty try for a high tackle, 11 Joel Scott-Paul , 15 Matt McCarthy, 6 John Dibb – conversions – number 11 Joel Scott-Paul (5)
Tries for Woodbridge – number 8 Aldis Salavejs, 11 Reece Monk, 20 Tom Jermy and 18 James Stickley conversions – 12 Angus Clogg (2)
Great introduction for our seniors on Thursday 21st March to 2019-20 Head Coach Laurence Denvir with some of his team Douggie Ives, Martin Pratley and Chairman Rob Simpson. Many thanks to current Head Coach Drew Fautley for many great seasons and good luck in his remaining matches.
Woodbridge Rugby Club Ltd Annual General Meeting Tuesday 30 April 2019 6:30 pm in the Clubhouse
AGENDA
1. Minutes of the previous AGM of 6 June 2018.
2. Accounts for the year to 31 December 2018.
3. Board Report for the Year ending.
4. Appointment of Club’s Auditors.
5. Election of the Board of Directors.
6. Any other business.
The outgoing Board consists of:
Chairman – Rob Simpson
Treasurer – Mike Fisher
Secretary – Chris Stokes
Woodbridge started sharply, driving Thurston back into their 22 and coming close once or twice. The visitor’s defence held however and they drove up field using their strong forwards to pick and drive. The Warriors held firm and, with intelligent kicking from 10 JP Hart, won space for some threatening backs moves. Despite getting the edge in the line-out and scrum Thurston let Woodbridge slip through out wide where wing James Stickley scored. Woodbridge looked the sharper after this and tested the try line again without success before and interception allowed Stickley to score his second and end the half 12-0.
A vigorous start from both sides saw attacks end-to-end, forwards leading the way, Woodbridge pitching big Tom Edwards, flanker Tony Moseley and hooker Billy King against hard driving no 8 Oli Paxman, flanker Jack Weaver-Smith and centre-cum-flanker Ed Ballam. It was centre Jeff Buchanan that broke the impasse running a great line to scythe through and enable Tom Stokes to dot down. Minutes later it was a mirror image as Weaver-Smith did the same for Thurston at the base of the uprights. Woodbridge worked hard for their fourth, bonus point, try – a whole-team effort that prop Luke Norman finished.
Having been “shocked” by the emerging Lakenham Hewitt ladies earlier in the season, the Woodbridge Amazons were only too aware of what happens when you take any side for granted, and they were determined it wouldn’t happen again. So, the hosts had revenge in mind, while the visitors large squad turned up at Hatchley Barn full of confidence with wins under their belt.
The match began in a frenzy, with both sides playing full of energy, forcing mistakes and snatching opportunities from errors. Early Woodbridge pressure led to a lineout at the visitors 22 metre line, but Lakenham made good ground running out of trouble, before a turnover saw the impressive Helen Self break forward for the Amazons. She was supported well by Carmel Leak, and when a penalty was awarded it was quick thinking captain Claire Brickley that tapped the ball and sprinted over from 15 metres out. 5-0.
Straight from the restart however, the ball was allowed to bounce enabling the visitors to claim possession. Using their familiar one up style of play, they drove forward until prop Chloe Halliwell dived forward from close range for the equalising score, 5-5.
The early frenetic pace lulled, but the intensity didn’t as Toni Bell was penalised for a high tackle. Moments later the Woodbridge backs showed what they are capable of as Self surged forward again. Fullback Kat Mead joined the line at pace but was stopped just shy of scoring. A scrum deep in their own half, and under pressure from a strong tight five for the Amazons, the Lakenham number eight Danni Puckrose upped the ante and galloped through tackles.
Just before the half hour Bell charged forward into the visitors half. Quick ruck ball released Brickley, then Self who ran to the corner before offloading inside to the supporting Frances Saunders for a great team try. 10-5.
Woodbridge were beginning to look the more dangerous side, but constant turnovers at the breakdown meant any lead was never comfortable. A second try for the visitors, this time from Lauren Halliwell ensured this remained a close struggle at 10 apiece, but a telling sign for the Norfolk side was that without their demon tackler Laura Fernley keeping them in the game, the hosts were definitely gaining momentum.
After the interval neither side grasped a hold over their opponent, and for fifteen minutes Lakenhams simple game plan of banging the ball up at close quarters was met with stout resistance, while the hosts looked to play expansively.
A big tackle from centre Anna Dewberry sparked the next score as Brickley scooped up the loose ball and sprinted upfield. Unselfishly, she popped the ball left to the flying Beth Clapson who outpaced the covering defence for a third go ahead score. 15-10.
From the restart Self piled on more pressure before releasing young Megan Butcher out wide. The former Woodbridge youth player was snagged by Fernley, and a scrum was awarded to the visitors. A huge effort by the Amazons pack drove Lakenham off their own put in however, and the ball was worked across the field where Clapson scored the second of her brace. For the first time in the game, the hosts enjoyed a two score advantage at 20-10.
Pressing home their advantage, first Brickley was held up at the try line, then Leak, before Puckrose again cleared the danger for Lakenham.
Regaining composure, the Norfolk team again showed just how improved they are this season and they hit back. A lineout deep in the hosts half resulted in a tangled mess of bodies at the try line, and scrum half Sophie Bambridge dotted down, reducing the arrears to a single score once more.
With just minutes remaining former Amazon Jenna Ray, now based in Norfolk, returned the kick off with interest, sparking a last gasp comeback attempt. Desperate defending, against desperate charges at the line, ended with the Amazons smallest player, scrum half Morven McAlpine underneath the ball to deny a try as time expired. This was another close match, proving how far Lakenham have come this season, but also proving that Woodbridges young side, containing five brand new players to the sport this season, have got what it takes to grind out victories.
Match Report by Ian Girling; Photos; Woody Woodgate, Rainybow Photography
Woodbridge started well, pressing Ipswich YM through their runners, centre Jeff Buchanan, fly-half JP Hart and No8 Aldis Salavejs – Ipswich No8 Lee Kassel also had some strong carries before Warrior wing Simon Ward struck first on 10 mins. Fairly scrappy rugby continued with lots of penalties. Ipswich dominated in the pack but Woodbridge had the edge in the kicking game and it was Hart that broke free and ran 40m to score again.
Going in 10-0 ahead Woodbridge must have fancied their chances but YM rallied, full-back Harry Bureau slotted a penalty before the boisterous Kassel finished a prolonged forwards assault on the home try line to score and then went on to do it again which put YM on top. Woodbridge tried to recover their earlier running threat but YM defended well, taking another penalty to seal a place in the Suffolk Cup final.
Having narrowly beaten the Chelmsford ladies by a flattering 19-3 margin in Essex last month, the Amazons hosted the Bluebirds in the reverse fixture in similarly cold, wet and blustery conditions on Sunday. Despite the weather, both sides produced some enterprising rugby and looked vastly improved from that post Christmas runaround.
Chelmsford started the brighter and controlled the early going, forcing penalties that only stout defending by the hosts kept attacks at bay. The Amazons settled into the match, their discipline improved and with the scoreboard unchanged, a confidence emerged.
As play moved from the Woodbridge 22 into the larger expanse of Hatchley Barn, the hosts also expanded their play. A healthy balance of attacking forays from both forwards and backs kept the Essex side on their toes, and gradually their defences were broken down. An arcing run from skipper Claire Brickley was the first indication of the superior pace the hosts possessed, but it was centre Helen Self that broke the deadlock with an amazing score. Having flattened her opposite number with a devastating tackle, Self jumped back to her feet and literally ripped the ball from the next players grasp, turned and sprinted under the posts! Cristina Murgatroyd added the conversion and the hosts were on their way.
Known for their excellent scrummaging, the Chelmsford ladies looked shocked by the power on show from the Woodbridge pack. The tight five, bolstered by two new players, Ellie Norman and Ava Prentice, in their first season of rugby, outgunned the visitors. The writing was on the wall then, and tries followed.
A super kick return from fullback Kat Mead led to quick hands from the breakdown and another new player, Farrah Clay linked well for Brickley to extend the score. Murgatroyd again converted the extras, 14-0.
Influential number eight Carmel Roisin was forced to leave the game at this point as a migraine headache ended her day.
Prop forward Toni Bell charged at the line moments later, Norman had a crack, then Frances Saunders touched down for try number three. The half ended with Woodbridge well on top, nineteen points to the good, as the visitors at least had the chance to regroup.
And regroup they did, taking advantage of two sloppy kick-offs and marauding into the Woodbridge half. Captain Claire was having none of that however, and burst through a gap following a forwards steal at a scrum. She was taken out off the ball having dabbed a kick forward, but advantage was played and Prentice smashed over from close range for a thoroughly deserved try.
With the score now a commanding 24-0, the visitors tried to clear their lines, but the Amazons piled on the pressure. The three smallest players on the pitch, Mead, Clay and Kylie Smith all made good ground amongst their larger opponents, and Clay came close to scoring a debut try wide on the left. Excellent recycling saw the ball moved all the way across to centre Anna Dewberry, who provided the scoring pass for Murgatroyd in the corner.
Determined to leave Suffolk with at least one score, the visitors hit back. A great run from Maddy Hughes ended just yards from the try line, having outstripped two tacklers, Beth Clapson saved a certain try by knocking Hughes off the pitch. Moments later, prop forward Annie Cawson actually crossed the whitewash, but an infringement ruled out the score.
The Amazons had repelled Chelmsfords last hurrah, and it was Victoria Felstein that applied the coup de gras, another of that dominant tight five to force her way over from close range for try number six. Helen Self converted for a resounding 36-0 victory in possibly the most complete Amazons display this season. In difficult conditions, against a strong rival, the Amazons dominated by using a balanced, structured approach that was a joy to watch.
Thetford wanted revenge for October’s one point away loss and to exert their superior league position – but they didn’t have it all their own way. The visitors had to fight hard in the first session for a push over try by hooker Richard Sharp and to score out wide through winger Kristopher Minter. Woodbridge defended well and showed some dangerous touches from forwards Jono Cooke, Aldis Salavejs and Tony Moseley to be rewarded by a late try from hooker Billy King.
Thetford were sharper from the restart, with two breakaway tries from scrum-half Chris Thomas and then fly-half Matt Trede. With the score-line 5-24 the Warriors looked well beaten but within minutes some slick passing and favourable penalties saw King over again and spirits started to rise. The packs scrapped for possession and both defences were tested until Woodbridge prop Luke Norman dotted down from another attack and wing Simon Ward did the same levelling the score at 24 apiece. An exciting last eight minutes saw Thetford’s Sharp score again and prise the victory from Woodbridge’s tight grasp.
