Latest Eastern Counties Notebook No 107 – February 2016 is here
Eastern Counties Notebook No 107 – February 2016
Ipswich YM 7 v Woodbridge Warriors 24
Expectations were high for this local derby – always a tense and unpredictable contest, a good crowd gathered in a crisp, blustery wind as battle commenced.
Both sides used the boot to keep the ball in their opponent’s half, even Warriors hooker Tony Gibson, as the early balance of play favoured the visitors. Warrior flankers Nick Woodley and Olly Gray were much in evidence at the breakdown and helped start a move on the left that saw Jamie Smith score within 5 mins through a startled YM defence.
The hosts came back strongly using their heavy pack to charge up to the Warriors 10m line and unfortunately drawing a number of penalties which turned the attack. Woodbridge re-challenged the YM 22 Jacob Bodkin and JP Hart kicking from hand to pin Ipswich back. Curiously YM possession, and there was a lot of it, didn’t seem to flow. Penalties were conceded, balls were knocked on and rucks were lost. The Warriors capitalised on this Woodley, Gray and Jono Cooke revelling in loose ball and Tim Johnson putting in some useful carries. Eventually the YM forwards got the ball into a central position for their centres, 12 in particular, to gain some ground and winger Carlton Ford was exceptionally difficult for Woodbridge to stop. YM was penalised in an attacking position repeatedly which allowed Hart to clear and attempt a couple of breaks through Christian Hoolihan at right wing. A frustrated YM couldn’t seem to string any phases together against a well-drilled Woodbridge defence that saw all possession as a chance to score. After Ipswich knocked on again Jacob Bodkin ran a great line from a good scrum to score under the posts.
Carton Ford nearly scored from a forward pass during another period of pressure as Ipswich were back in attack but again penalties denied them time to build.
Smelling a win Woodbridge restarted strongly, sustaining an attack in the YM 22 and forcing a dead ball. A helter skelter run by Cooke, Captain Tom Stokes and Dan Taylor ended with a high tackle penalty and another 3 Warrior points. A long pass from Gray found Jamie Smith caught in possession and forced a penalty from which Carlton Ford scored to open the YM account.
The tension increased as both sides realised what might happen, the blustery wind meant that territory kicks often missed touch and triggered counter attacks. YM increased their intensity, Potter and Tui Uru working hard with their second row Ben Hockley and Kieran Rudland to keep some possession and Woodbridge was forced into some hard tackles to stop the rampaging YM backs and conceded penalties in the process. Ipswich put in a sustained challenge in Woodbridge’s 22, passing the ball wide from side to side but the defence held. Once cleared Warrior substitute back Sam Jackson won the ball from loose play and sprinted 40m to score and quieten the home crowd further.
Ipswich YM 7 v Woodbridge Warriors 24
Woodbridge Colts 18 v Ealing 0 31-1-16
Great victory against Ealing Academy team in the drizzle. A few pics from the first half. Tries for Will D and Adrian. Jack J kicked a conversion and 2 penalties.
That takes us into the last 16, the next round is to be played on 21 February, replacing the scheduled friendly with Holt.
Woodbridge U16s 11 v Bury U16s 13 – 31/1/16
A well-supported,close match with a much closer result than previous encounters.
Woodbridge U13 34 v Chelmsford 12 – 31/1/16
Photos are here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153401858793526.1073741983.170427113525&type=3
Match Report: Braintree U14 0 – Woodbridge U14 12
With just a bare 15 available coupled with the heavy conditions underfoot, we would have to be at our best from start to finish if we were going to get anything from this game. Having never beaten Braintree in our many attempts previously, we knew they were a big physical side against whom if you sat back you would be punished.
It was all even in the early stages, with Woodbridge cancelling out everything Braintree though at us. We were first to score with a well worked ball eventually ran into the corner by Ethan Haywood following good work from our dominant forwards. With the conversion falling the wrong side of the cross-bar, Woodbridge had to settle for a 5-0 lead.
The squelchy conditions had both sides trading handling errors and needless penalties. Braintree tried as they must to use their power players but they couldn’t find any gaps with all 15 Warriors standing up to the challenge. Woodbridge were eventually rewarded for their excellent defensive efforts with a penalty on the half way line. A quick tap and go and the electric Isaac Feavearyear burst through the Braintree defensive line to score ,and set up a simple conversion for Ethan and put Woodbridge in a commanding 12-0 half time lead.
The wet conditions made it difficult for either team to really penetrate with ball in hand, and Woodbridge had the superior kicking game when needed. With both teams largely cancelling out each other’s attempts, it was always Woodbridge who were the more comfortable. Woodbridge twice went close with one effort being held up, and was followed by an unfortunate knock-on when grounding. With no further scores it was Woodbridge who claimed their 1st Braintree victory 12-0.
The Braintree coach said after the game “Your lads look like they have grown?” to which I replied “Thank you, they have, all of them!”
Jonathan Brooks
Woodbridge U15 – 12, Bury St Edmunds U15 – 0
Bury with the home advantage put us on their first team pitch, a great honour for both teams and it certainly gave Bury a huge boost in confidence. As always they were up in defense very quick so that all our hard won ball through the forwards was nullified before we could start an attack in the backs.
Our first try came from a lineout, a set piece we have worked hard on, stealing the ball from Bury’s throw in and setting a driving maul, rolling around until Tom Jermy drove over and grounded for our first points.
The rest of the half was a constant grind of forwards v forwards, with Woodbridge having the upper hand, winning or recycling the ball for the backs with cold hands to fumble or get caught early. But the boys didn’t give up.
Eventually, the Woodbridge backs put together two or three amazing runs, particularly Travis’s inside pass to Guy inside our 22 opening up the Bury defense and sending us racing up the pitch, and only a fabulous tackle from their full back preventing the try.
But it put us in their half again and this time from a scrum and some set pieces, Harry Hobday went over for 5 points and duly converted by Elliott.
A great performance by all the boys, confirming us the best team in Suffolk. Colchester next in the Cup which will be a huge challenge as they seem to be in brilliant form.
Tim
Get a taste of Wheelchair Rugby
The region’s first wheelchair rugby team, the Wheelchair Warriors, is looking for new recruits. Formed in 2013 as a part of Woodbridge Rugby Club it is holding a Taster Session on Sunday 28 February at Brackenbury Sports Centre, Felixstowe IP11 9JF to attract new members. The session will start at 10am and last until 12.30pm.
The Wheelchair Warriors came together when Woodbridge Rugby Club worked with Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby to bring this rapidly-growing sport to the East of England as part of the Paralympic legacy. With only ten clubs across the whole of Great Britain in those days, players had to travel long distances to train and play. They train every Sunday morning at Rock Barracks and have capacity for more players to join – even if it’s just to train.
With this Taster Session the Warriors hope to attract;
- Beginners and pros that may have played the game before
- Men and women, new to the sport and over 16 years old
- Competitive types and social sportspeople
- Those recovering from injury and/or looking to rebuild strength
The event, organised in conjunction with Suffolk Coastal District Council, will be a relaxed introduction to the sport under the careful instruction of Martin Saych, the Warriors Coach. Visitors can just watch, have a go, try some skills and join in the game on the day if they choose. Specialist wheelchairs will be available for visitors to try so they remain safe.
Rob Simpson, Chairman of Woodbridge Rugby Club, said “The Rugby Club gives hundreds of local kids and adults the chance to be active, get fit and be part of a team. The Wheeled Warriors are currently in their first season competing in the BT Super Series Division 3 where they won their first league match in Stoke Mandeville last weekend. We’re incredibly proud of them and their achievements, not least helping to make the Club as inclusive as possible for the community and the region.”
Boudicias v Old Northamptonians injurys get well soon
Glad to hear that the injured player/s are on the mend from yesterday’s Boudicias match v Old Northamptonians
Match Report: Woodbridge U15 B’s – 27, Ipswich U15 – 24 Sun 24/1/16 Tim Owens
With some help by spare A team players, Ipswich and Woodbridge kicked off with 15 a side, but due to a lack of experienced props, scrums were uncontested. That led to lots of open running play, with Woodbridge looking by far the better out wide.
But Ipswich worked to their strengths with Big Zack at 8 for Ipswich picking and driving deep into Woodbridge territory until our own Curtis in a black and red shirt drove over for the first try of the match.
Woodbridge looked dangerous out wide, but couldn’t finish it off, so Barnaby picked up just on the opposition 10 meter line and ran through several tackles to score a brilliant try in the corner.
Ipswich struck back through some big forwards bashing up through the middle until they scored just under the posts, converted by Theo Underwood. Ipswich were taking control through their big forwards and another try was scored just before half time by their number 8 Zack, again converted by Theo.
19-5 to Ipswich at half time.
Woodbridge didn’t let their heads sink and put in the first score in the far left corner through Saxon, followed very quickly by a score by Barnaby once again taking the ball from the base of the scrum and running the best part of half the pitch.
Even with great work by the Ipswich forwards, the Woodbridge 15 took confidence from the two quick tries and dominanted out wide, with Marcus running in under the posts, then Alex converted by Henry.
But the last score was by Ipswich, and rightly deserved with big strong forward after big strong forward smashed into us until they drove Curtis over for his second try.
Final score Woodbridge 27, Ipswich 24. Close game, fairly played and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Huge well done to everyone who played for Ipswich, but Men O the Matches to – Barnaby in his first outing as Captain leading from the front, tackling and scoring. And Riley for his tackling and direct running in the centres.