West Norfolk – 24
South Woodham Ferrers – 15

West Norfolk hosted South Woodham Ferrers on a typically blustery day at Gatehouse Lane. The morning weather had been wintry showers but by the afternoon the skies were clear and the ground firm, ready for a good game of rugby.
South Woodham Ferrers once again brought a strong side with a typically big pack and young talented backs. West Norfolk was strengthened with the return of Williamson at No 8 and ex-captain Cook at second row in the pack. In the backs winger Anderson returned and Singleton moved from wing to cover Full back after injury to usual Full back, Biggs.
West, who had the kick off, and were playing into the wind, started as if they were the visitors and allowed South Woodham Ferrers to get the edge at the breakdown. After some good recycling work by the SWF pack and some poor close defending by West, the SWF right winger managed to find some space down the blind side and broke some soft tackling to score near the post. The try was converted and SWF had an early seven point lead.
After conceding the early try, West woke up, reorganised and started to play some well constructed rugby. Williamson and Cook were able to get their hands on the ball, enabling the side to get over the gain line and put some pressure on the SWF defence. This pressure soon showed as forwards and backs combined to almost score in the right hand corner, but an infringement by SWF defenders resulted in a penalty being awarded. Not wanting to waste the pressure advantage, Hogan took a quick tap and fired a bullet pass to Monty Maule who jinked his way under the post to score a much-needed try. The try was converted by Hogan and West were back in the game.
Unfortunately for West, they weren’t able to continue this pressure and it was SWF who were looking more aggressive with some great carries from the No 8 and support from the back row. Before long, West were back near their try line and an infringement by the West back row led to a penalty being awarded, which the SWF fly half kicked to give the lead back to SWF.
West restarted and, again, SWF played some positive rugby to pin West back. Due to some poor clearance work, SWF took full advantage, spread it wide and scored just before half time. The conversion was missed and SWF went in to the break with a 15 – 7 lead.
Half time saw West with the wind behind their backs and, after some honest words, they pulled up their socks and started to take the game to SWF. Good defence and strong scrummaging saw West starting to make significant inroads in the SWF defensive line and before long West were able to set the backs free with a solid scrum, which Moses used to produce a move that allowed Singleton to scamper over for West’s second try. Hogan converted with the score at 14 – 15.
This try gave West the confidence they needed to start thinking about winning, and it wasn’t long before West were back on the attack. Some good play by the West back row of Williamson, Thurston and Langley enabled West to get into SWF territory and, after another infringement by SWF, a penalty was awarded, which Hogan coolly struck to give West the lead at 17pts – 15pts.
This penalty put the pressure back on SWF to play some gutsy rugby which they duly did, but with the significant wind against them were not able to get to get close enough to the West line. After some great turn over work by the West forwards, they were able to get play back down in to the SWF half. SWF were now chancing the game and, after a miss-placed pass, Ed Maule swooped onto the ball and galloped in to score the final try of the game. After Hogan converted, the try gave West the much deserved win. Final Score 24pts – 15pts.
Next week sees a vital away match to Basildon, another must-win game in West’s bid to secure mid table safety in this closely fought league.
Tulip man of the Match Clive Dodds great handling.

Webmaster