Mistley were good value and played well despite the score. The Saxon scrum nullified their strength then got dominance in the 2nd half. Quick ball was used well and the score could have been a lot higher if the last pass had of stuck on a few occasions. Notable performances from Pete Edward, Alan turner and Anthony Gibson. John Yorke lead from the front and was MoM in my opinion.
Tom Stokes
From the kick off Sudbury were up for a game of high intensity and maximum physicality and with lots of set pieces coming from nervous handling, which meant the two packs got intimately acquainted from the start.
Woodbridge had the upper hand in most of these bruising encounters taking a couple of balls against the head in the scrum and turning over loose ball in the open game. But quite quickly Woodbridge started to dominate in the forwards leading to the first half’s two tries by Tom Jermy and James Eaton – both converted by Elliott.
Sudbury to their credit didn’t give up and although we had several other chances to put a couple more tries away which we didn’t finish the opportunities. For the last 10 minutes of the half Sudbury pinned us in our 22 but without any score, our defense was immense.
The second half started just as ferocious and the intensity continued as Sudbury started to bring on their bench with fresh legs. But to no avail as both our forwards and backs put huge pressure on any Sudbury player in possession leading to fumbles or stolen ball, returning possession to us time and time again.
Amazingly we ruined at least two more try scoring opportunities, then from a scrum on the 22 James O picked up and drove to within 5 meters, offloading to Sonnie who was held out but recycled the ball for Elliott to dart through and take 5 more points, which he then converted for another 2.
Lots to take out of this performance, it wasn’t perfect, but the boys did play for the whole 60 minutes.
Men of the Match – Elliott with 3 conversions and a try, and Travis for his distribution and defensive tackling.
Tim
Sunday 17th January saw Woodbridge U16’s travel to Ipswich YM to face the local rivals in the 1st round of the Suffolk Cup. The 12.30pm kick-off allowed time for the pitch to thaw and present perfect conditions for the much anticipated match.
Woodbridge started the game with intent and early pressure saw them encamped in the YM twenty two for the first 20 minutes of the half. YM defended resolutely but Woodbridge continued to pile on the pressure and, following good work by the forwards to turnover a YM scrum, Ives and Kelleway linked up to allow Kelleway to break the defence line and score between the posts, the hard work was fully rewarded when Maclean slotted the conversion over.
YM put together some quick ball following the restart and for the first time in the match tested Woodbridge’s defence fully. The defence line held out well and Woodbridge continued to frustrate the hosts with dogged work by the forwards and intelligent kicking to clear the lines. A Woodbridge scrum just outside the YM twenty two saw them secure the ball and superb link play moved it out to the wing for Chesterman to score against his former club.
The Host’s came out for the second half fired up and instantly took the game to Woodbridge with strong scrummaging and good work around the loose from both flankers. The pressure deservedly bought its reward in the form of five points from an unconverted try. Both side vigorously fought for every ball in the tightly contested match and Woodbridge were reduced to 14 when the referee adjudged Sykes to have made a high tackle. Sensing victory YM again piled on the pressure and despite some sound defence from the pack managed to score again but failed to convert.
Woodbridge had however weathered the storm and the return of Sykes saw them return to full power and the match turned again. Ives continued to bring players in with fast thinking and a deft sidestep, and on one such escapade manged to grubber kick a YM knock on through the defence line and pick up the difficult ball to score right between the posts which Maclean once again converted.
YM managed to slot a late penalty over with 5 minutes to play but Woodbridge held strong for their second cup win in two years against Ipswich YM.
Confidence was high in the Woodbridge Amazons camp on Sunday. The visit of Hampstead Heath to Hatchley Barn was viewed as an ideal warm up ahead of the top of the table clash with Southwold next weekend.
What transpired however, particularly in the latter stages, resembled a training ground run through as the hosts demolished Hampstead in fine style.
From the outset the Amazons dominated proceedings. Possession was secured as the scrummaging was solid, the line outs slick and handling, despite the cold, adept.
Within minutes of receiving the opening kickoff, the hosts were on the board. Winger Julie Tyler outpaced the Hampstead cover and sprinted 50 metres for her first try of the day, quickly followed by her skipper, Claire Brickley, who went over from even further out!
Stacy Robinson converted one of the two for an early 12 point lead and the writing was on the wall.
Jess Delaney ran through several “tacklers” for the next score, and after great rucking by the pack, Aska Zareba scored her first ever try.
The Polish Zareba’s score was a fine example of the match thus far; Hampstead attempting to run straight at the Woodbridge defence with their large forwards, but losing possession at the breakdown as the Amazon pack quickly turned up to steal the ball away.
After half an hour, the visitors regrouped and enjoyed their best spell. Stoic defending kept them from scoring and fullback Robinson was forced into making a try saving tackle down the sideline as Zelda Dura opened her legs and looked destined to halt the landslide.
Woodbridge were galvanised again and a further two tries before halftime left the score line in no doubt.
Number eight Vicky Watts picked up at the base of a scrum at Hampsteads 22 and forced her way over in the corner, and Tyler scored her second from distance after great work by Brickley. 39-0 at the break.
In the second half tries from the busy Jennifer Ray, and Delaney getting her brace kept the scoreboard ticking over as Coach Jane Stokes continued introducing fresh legs.
Zanya Brooks came close to scoring but appeared to lose her footing as the whitewash drew closer, but another score from Tyler (for the hattrick) and Brickley (for her hattrick!) took the demolition past the 60 point mark.
Hampstead were struggling to cope by now but continued to play with a great spirit.
With each kickoff however, it appeared the hosts got stronger and stronger. Ray returned a kick deep into Hampstead territory, setting up Brickley for her fourth, before Carmel Roisin went one better by returning the next kick all the way into the in goal area.
Shoving the visitors pack backwards at their own put in proved how dominant the Amazons pack were, with standout performances from the unsung heroines of the front row Victoria Felstein and Paula Ireland.
One such steal saw Brickley scoring her fifth and the coup de gras came when Roisin and Ray combined again from the ensuing kick off, Ray touching down to cap a massive win.
It finished at 87 unanswered points, a terrific performance ahead of the big game next week.
As if the top of the table clash with the local rivals wasn’t enough of a draw, Southwold were beaten for the first time this season on Sunday. Revenge could be on the cards next week as the Amazons line up against the only team to beat them in the league this season – it looks like being a cracker!
Woodbridge Amazons 87 v Hampstead 0
Despite a number of fixtures being called off, the sun-drenched Woodbridge pitch saw this Eastern Counties Greene King Division Four South game kick off in ideal conditions. Brightlingsea started energetically, challenging the Saxons in their own 22 and clearly playing a forwards game. They suffered the first of many scrum penalties however to allow the hosts to charge, Jono Cooke putting in a gritty tem metres before his pass was knocked on. Another scrum penalty for foot up saw Woodbridge spin the ball through the backs for centre Sam Jackson to score. Two minutes later they repeated the tactic for Barney Harper to take another five points. Brightlingsea rallied, winning a free kick and challenging the Saxon’s try line with their big forwards picking and driving at the blind side. Woodbridge defended well and countered back to the visitors half where prop Tony Moseley carried for Jez Hannon to score. The kick off was taken cleanly, passed to Sam Jackson to dashed 40m offloaded to Captain John Yorke for Alex Clifford to touch down. The next kick off suffered the same fate – Tony Moseley thundering down the right wing to score a try for the front row. Clearly rattled Brightlingsea’s pack made a concerted effort and camped in the Woodbridge 22 forcing repeated penalties from the Saxons to win a penalty try. Saxons 29 Brightlingsea 7 at the break.
A fluffed kick off saw the second half start with a scrum midway from which fast hands released Luke Garnham to re-open the account for Woodbridge. Undaunted, Brightlingsea kept the pressure on the right wing, forcing the Saxons down to 14 men, using the maul effectively and tackling well to contain the counter attack especially from the boisterous Garnham. Eventually the Woodbridge backs found space, scoring through Matty Redshaw and then using a long cross field pass to gain territory before a long kick forward bounced well for Redshaw to score again.
Brightlingsea substitutions saw Jacob Bodkin stretch his legs and run through four of his team mates to score for the visitors, converted by Bart. It was left for Woodbridge to end the game with a break-away try by Barney Harper to finish up a sunny game in temperament as well as weather.
Woodbridge Saxons 2XV 51 v Brightlingsea 14
Swaffham started in earnest; catching Woodbridge from the off and earning a penalty 3 points from full back Joe Milligan in the first few minutes. Swirling wind frustrated Warrior fly half JP Hart’s kicking from hand so it was left to flanker Olly Gray to carry them deep into the visitors 22 and score after some nifty running from wingers Jamie Smith and Christian Hoolihan.
Swaffham rebuilt the attack through its scrum, front row Max Thompson, Welshie Bird and Tom Murray shoving their opposite numbers repeatedly to hold possession and win too many penalties which gave Joe Milligan six more points as the lead moved back and forth. Woodbridge seemed frustrated by poor handling which gave Swaffham opportunities to turn over or intercept, however the Warriors did start to act quicker at the scrum and hold possession while being pushed back. No 8 Jono Cooke worked better with scrum half Josh Bruce to reduce Swaffham’s forward dominance. This first allowed Hart to narrowly miss a kick-through chance that went dead and then saw a move from a failing scrum through the three-quarter to winger Smith who sold a dummy and scored out wide.
The Woodbridge backs restarted with their tails up, Captain Tom Stokes lead an assault down the right frustrated again by penalties. Woodbridge up 10-9 at the break.
The Warriors opened the second session with a rushing dart from fullback Jacob Bodkin to score from the first play. Now Woodbridge’s backs were beginning to get some space, fed from their repeatedly-pressurised pack and, with the wind, Hart was able to use touch to make territory despite some sideways runs from Swaffham’s energetic scrum and fly half pairing of Paddy Simons and Piers Fountaine. Penalties continued and Joe Milligan missed an attempt from the halfway line as both sides upped the tempo in midfield before Woodbridge won a few attackable penalties for Cooke, Nick Woodley, Gray and Tim Johnson to lead a couple of charges and then call on Angus Clogg to slot a kick with Swaffham down to 14 players. Despite this Swaffham retaliated, their forwards mauling aggressively into the Woodbridge half for Milligan to take another 3 points. The last five minutes saw Woodbridge challenge again to hold the 18-12 win in an entertaining match that was anyone’s right to the end.
More pictures here
Woodbridge Warriors 18 v Swaffham 12
Calling all player and parents – please note the available Pitch areas for Sunday.
The Grounds Team have made it clear that Pitch 1 and 80% of Pitch 2 are NOT to be used. We are trying to allow repair time and therefore cannot have ‘Warm-ups, touch’ or training being played on Sunday. Please be aware and avoid crossing or walking on these areas where possible.
Cheers, Alex Brigginshaw
Northampton Saints has now confirmed the players who will be joining the Elite Player Development Group (EPDG) U16/17 squad of 35 after Christmas.
Woodbridge Rugby Club managed to get 4 talented players selected who join the last 35 from over 90 at Northampton Saints.
Felix Kibble
Marshall Sykes
Hugo Kellaway
Toby Risebrow
At the weekend Ipswich YM hosted Diss and Woodbridge for a 3 way mini tournament in the glorious mud and rain.
The Warriors put in two very spirited displays against two good teams. The heavy conditions favoured our forwards with Woodbridge doing most of the pressing, with some handling areas and needless penalties being the only key difference.
Ipswich YM 17- 0 Diss
Ipswich YM 17 – 7 Woodbridge (Max Irwin try, Ethan con) Woodbridge 0 – 17 Diss
Despite finishing 3rd overall, Woodbridge found out they were the only team to have scored a point against YM all season. Something to build upon for next year.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and victorious new year from all the U14 players and officials.
Ending 2015 with an Epic win 7-39 one half of the league season done let’s bring on 2016 , we all want to get that top of the league spot !
