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Warriors 22 v Crusaders 18

17th April 2016 Simon Ballard — No Comments

A large crowd, swollen by a coachload from Crusaders, gathered in anticipation of this annual clash – the Warriors keen to avenge the 12-32 away loss in December. The start couldn’t have been any better – hooker Dan Bond retaining kick-off ball and then acting as right winger to grub kick through to Sam Jackson who scored wide within a minute. Crusaders chased their restart to win a penalty just outside the home 22 and Theo Elliott slotted the three points. Crusaders continued to exploit the long kick to get in behind the home defence, winger Luke Jacques coming under particular pressure, JP Hart returned the favour but play remained up the Woodbridge end, wing Jamie Dack leading a charge and exploiting weak set pieces from the Warriors. Crusaders made good use of the maul first to win a penalty and then their strong pack shoved prop Henry Joy over for a try. A nervous Woodbridge restarted poorly losing a scrum and allowing Elliott to break, Rog Craigs to offload to full back Ryan Harris who broke a tackle from his opposite number Jamie Smith to score. Immediately Jacob Bodkin took the opportunity for three points from a restart penalty and maintained pressure from more penalties, Hart, Cooke and Bodkin all having threatening runs but the visitors defended well and continued to dominate in the set piece, they also mauled well, favouring the blind side but giving away too many penalties. Nevertheless play stayed uncomfortably deep in the Warriors 22 for Tony Gibson, Tim Johnson and Rob Attwater all having to counter some low drives from the Cru’s pack before the break.

Woodbridge restarted well, holding their line-out and challenging the Crusader’s 5m line but tough tackling from James Durrant, Vince Cook and Rob Dye meant they had to settle for a penalty attempt which they missed. Play stayed in the visitor’s half as their scrum domination was negated by penalties and forward passes. Having failed to gain any points from a sustained attack the Warriors were then forced back into defence as George King and Jack Boorman took cleanly from a line-out and lead a series of pick and drives, returned clearance kicks and mauls. Home supporters were then pleasantly stunned as a 40m run from Hart and Bodkin made the next try look easy to break the impasse. Bodkin converted his own score and the kicking tennis continued between Hart and Harris until a mark was called and, peculiarly, Cru’s chose to run it Will Bennet stole from the ruck, Olly Gray offloaded to Hart – on quickly to Jackson who ran in the try which Bodkin converted. Crusaders had another penalty attempt at goal only to kick wide and as the clock wound down play reflected the visitor’s desperation – another poor lineout and scrum from Woodbridge in the danger zone saw Elliott score from a quickly-taken penalty leaving 5 minutes and 4 points in it. Crusaders stayed camped on the Woodbridge 5m line forcing some epic defence from Gibson and his pack as the noisy crowd made itself heard but it was the defence that held, the touchline cruelly denying a last minute effort from Rob Dye. In the end 3 tries and a penalty each with Bodkin’s conversions sealing the Woodbridge win.

Woodbridge Warriors 22 v Crusaders 18

 

Warriors win Suffolk Cup 2016

11th April 2016 Simon Ballard — No Comments

While not exactly David and Goliath – Stowmarket, lying 8th in London 3 North East and Cup holders, were the bookmaker’s favourites against Woodbridge lying 4th in EC1. The first scrum showed the home team’s strength, giant lock Graham Wilson having an effect, and an early indication of their game plan to kick for territory. The Warriors weren’t having any of it however and fly half JP Hart cleared from the lineout up to the Stow 5m line winning a scrum from the lineout and forcing the Cup Holders to run from deep only to be penalised on halfway from which Warrior full back Jacob Bodkin put in a strong run and winger Ady Sanday stunned the home crowd by scoring wide. This was not anticipated.

A nervous Stowmarket fluffed the restart and, despite coming second in the scrum Woodbridge continued to keep possession and harry the home team their back row; Nick Woodley, James Gilbert and Olly Gray scrabbling and charging to keep the ball. Stow’s tactic of kicking over the defence only reloaded Bodkin for renewed attack but eventually the hardworking full back Dan Garrard rallied an attack, slipping through several tackles and winning one of several penalties one of which he kicked for 3 points. Stowmarket supporters were then lifted after a scrum in midfield saw some slick passing, recovery at the breakdown and Dan Garrard retrieve his own chip kick and score to put Stowmarket up 8 – 5 only to miss another crack at a penalty shortly after. The dropout found Stow No 8 Max Crowe who put in a thundering run centrally as the hosts grew in confidence looking dangerous in the closing moments of the half but frustrated by too many penalties one of which was missed by Sanday.

Woodbridge took the kick off well, the second row and Hart charging effectively and getting play into Stowmarket’s danger area where good work from Tim Johnson and the pack forced another clearance kick from Garrard. Woodbridge kept the pressure with Adam Plummer distributing well and the flankers tackling hard to keep the Stow forwards at bay. Play moved to halfway when substitute wing Sam Jackson broke 30 metres for Woodley to recycle out wide to winger Sanday who scored – to the vocal delight of the coach loads from Woodbridge. Stowmarket continued to look dangerous; runs from Stu Hill and Crowe forcing some crunching tackles from sub Rob Attwater and Captain Tom Stokes while the ever-present Garrard poked and prodded the defence with a variety of kicks including an attempted penalty from the 10m line. The Warriors improved at the set piece and won free kicks at the scrum while also holding possession in the line out where quick ball across field saw Rob Attwater score and Sanday convert as Woodbridge opened a two try gap and the home crowd faced a shock. The last ten minutes saw redoubled efforts from Stow frustrated by penalties and chip kicks going dead. Woodbridge maintained an underdog spring in their step and put together their signature ruck, recycle, run combination which saw Bodkin break several tackles to score wide on the right and, with the help of five minutes more stoic defence, seal the shock win over the Stowmarket Goliath and take the Suffolk Chadacre Cup home to Woodbridge.

Newmarket 41 v Warriors 15 2/4/16

5th April 2016 Simon Ballard — No Comments

UntitledThe odds favoured fourth-placed Woodbridge as they travelled to relegation contender Newmarket but the hosts clearly had other ideas. Scrum half Max Bell in boisterous form forced a scrum from which quick hands saw Danny Brooks offload and Simon Guenigault score wide on the left. Minutes later and Newmarket were back in the Warrior 22, fly half Tom Clifton kicking for an attacking line-out and scrum before Woodbridge wing Sam Jackson was penalised and No 8 Ali Walker scored the second in five minutes. Clearly shaken, Woodbridge rallied and JP Hart found some territory in the Newmarket 22 where the hosts gave away a number of penalties that allowed No 8 Jono Cooke to put in a couple of drives before quick hands shifted the ball for Jackson to knock on. Newmarket gave away another penalty at the ruck which allowed Sam Hallows to pull back three points and the penalties continued during an attack which earned a yellow card. Woodbridge didn’t have their normal confidence and failed to make ground from mounting Newmarket penalties, dropped the high ball and passed to touch when they did have possession. Despite this the man advantage eventually showed as scrum half Adam Plummer broke free in mid field for a penetrating run before JP Hart took over to run 40m and level the score. A poor restart saw the Warriors immediately under renewed pressure, Newmarket flanker Sam Rodman fought hard and a clever chip through from Walker saw winger Guenigault beat the defence to touch down and take the lead 15-10 at the break.

Newmarket scored quickly in the second half, Adam Plummer getting sacked at the back of the scrum and Rodham finishing off quick ball to get the try. The restart saw the home forwards get in on the act, storming up to the 5m line and pushing over, Ali Walker claiming the score to increase the challenge for a stunned Woodbridge. The visitors forwards reacted and exploited continuing Newmarket penalties and two sin bins to pick and drive in the danger zone, Dan Bond and his pack working hard to draw in the defence before the ball was spun out to Jackson to put down and get some return for his forward’s efforts. Newmarket weren’t to be stopped however and, with thirteen men, used replacements to energize its defence and repel a couple of runs from Cooke and Nick Woodley, Clifton kicking well to hold territory. One such attacking lineout saw a maul get close to the line before Walker offloaded to lock Matthew Kent to score and it was left to scrum half Max Bell to run 40m and seal a convincing win for the home side on the final whistle.

Woodbridge RFC U15s Eastern Counties Runners Up

22nd March 2016 Simon Ballard — No Comments

Woodbridge U15s finished our first Eastern Counties finals as proud runners up. Playing our first half hour match against our hosts and defending champions Wymondham, we finished 7:0 down. Our second game was an exhibition of running and handling rugby, with five tries from our backs sealing a convincing 25:5 win over Peterborough

In the decisive first game, Woodbridge had the better of the first half, which ended with no score after we dropped the ball over their try line. Our big forwards required Wymondham to defend the fringes superbly. While our backs tackled fearlessly out wide, when clustering around the breakdown had gifted Wymondham with overlaps.

Wymondham finally broke the deadlock thanks to an impressive counterattacking try from their two strongest players, a very agile fly-half and a massive but mobile number 8. Woodbridge responded with great character, working their way up the pitch with determination and gritty ball-retention. Twice the footwork and handling of our backs broke the Wymondham line, only to be thwarted by a committed cover-tackle and a ball dropped under pressure. So in the end it wasn’t to be and Wymondham ran out worthy winners and Eastern Counties champions for the third successive year.

The generosity with which they congratulated our players was a reflection of the quality of the game and a recognition that this was their toughest challenge to date. While the considerable achievements of our U15 players is a measure of their team spirit, with no fewer than 27 of them playing in this year’s cup run. Big hearts that have put them firmly on the regional rugby map!

CUP FINAL 9 APRIL – PLUS A £5 BUFFET INVITATION

16th March 2016 Simon Ballard — No Comments
Stowmarket beat Southwold 50-15 in the last semifinal game so the Warriors will travel to Stowmarket on Saturday 9th April for the final – kick-off probably 2.30pm but will be confirmed later.
Stowmarket is holding a pre-match buffet lunch for the match. Lunch will be from 1.30pm, cost will be £5 per head and Stowmarket is extending an invitation to any WRUFC Club members. If anybody does wish to attend, please could you confirm numbers to ssgando@gmail.com by Monday 4th April.

Woodbridge Amazons 27 v Chelmsford 7 13/3/16 report here

13th March 2016 Simon Ballard — No Comments

Having made huge advances this season, it was with a tinge of sadness that the Amazons entertained Chelmsford in their final game of the 2015/16 season on Sunday.

The hosts began brightly, despite the chilly breeze, and strong runs from Carmel Roisin, Stacy Robinson and the skipper Claire Brickley all looked like leading to scoring opportunities. Each time however, the final pass was deemed forward and it was the visitors from Essex that opened the scoring. A chip forward by stand-off Penny Taylor landed just ahead of Amazon’s fullback Melanie Smith, and the fortuitous bounce went straight to Chelmsford winger Zara Denkou, who sprinted under the posts from 30 metres out. Karly Nightingale kicked the conversion and it was game on.

As they seem to have done all season, the Amazons responded well and hit back immediately. From a scrum inside Chelmsford’s 22, Brickley sprinted in at the corner for a great solo effort. Robinson’s conversion attempt failed but the Suffolk side were on the board. That score lifted the squad, and was capitalised on again, when Vicky Watts went over from close range after a period of phase after phase, involving both backs and forwards, 10-7 now in a wide-open affair. Forwards Tor Felstein, Rhian Claydon and Jenna Ray were outstanding, hitting every ruck low and hard, while Brickley always looked dangerous, with Robinson running hard outside her at centre.

Halftime came and went and after Chelmsford knocked on the restart, the Amazon’s scored the try of the match. Watts drove down the narrow side from the base of the scrum, the ball was worked back inside, and taken closer to the try line by Jess Delaney, then directed back outside again, with Julie Tyler diving over for a super score. It was a thing of beauty, and signalled that there would be no way back for the Essex girls. Roisin smashed over for the next score, after great work from Charlotte Granger, with Chloe Stopard converting to make it 22-7.

Stopard then came close to scoring herself after running a lovely switch with Brickley, and the cheekiest score of the day came from a scrum on Chelmsford’s 5 metre line when scrum half Morven McAlpine stole the ball from the number eight’s feet and touched down amongst shocked defenders!

As both sides tired play slowed down and went from scrum to scrum, resulting in a controlled finish by the powerful Amazons. This was a fine way to end a season, and highlights the tremendous gains made throughout the squad. Experienced players have improved, while several new players have emerged into vital acquisitions.

Woodbridge has a very bright future! Woodbridge Amazons 27 v Chelmsford 7