Woodbridge U10s win rugby’s Prima Cup Bowl at Welford Road
Our U10s Warriors have joined the Club’s 50th Anniversary celebrations by winning the Prima Cup Bowl at Leicester Tigers’ famous Welford Road ground.
Head Coach Stephen Wilding says “The squad of over 38 children have worked hard to achieve this, our hugely dedicated coaches laboured all season to imbue the players with the right skills and attitude to play rugby well while reflecting its core values of teamwork, respect, discipline, enjoyment and sportsmanship.
The Tigers’ website says “Each year Leicester Tigers Rugby Club invites U10 mini rugby teams from around the UK take part in a series of festivals to celebrate the true ethos of rugby’s core values. Throughout the duration of these festivals the Tigers identify clubs who demonstrate the core values of the game under their event criteria in keeping with RFU Age Grade Regulations and guidelines.
Selected clubs from each festival are then invited back to take part in a series of games at the Tigers famous Welford Road, providing a fantastic experience to all young and aspiring players. Attracting over 70 entries each season, the Prima Tiger Cup is the largest and most prestigious single age group playing opportunity in the rugby calendar.”
Message from Kerri Ehret regarding GMS – game management system. I reckon Kerri’s done a great job integrating this, often difficult, new system into the Club. It’s early days still but, with her persistence, we’re getting there – please read her comments…..
Well – what a spectacle. Two squads of mixed ability rugby worshippers and their supporters playing to celebrate the memory of the great Dick Waterson and raise money for cancer charities. It was heart-warming to see old faces, too many to mention, battling it out over four 20 min sessions. BaaBaa scorers: Luke Garnham (2), Jono Cooke, Luke Norman, Felix Kibble, Aldis Salavejs and Simon Codd. Exiles scorers: Henry Rose, Chris North and Tony Moseley. Cracking match, great fun, good friends and what rugby is all about
Garry and the whole Club would like to say a big THANK YOU to the following guys who have stepped up and worked hard to prepare our rugby pitches by dressing and levelling. this means that we enjoy our sport more and maintain our reputation for having some of the best pitches in E Anglia.
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
