Mens Match Reports

After a rare two-week respite following their opening fixtures, West Norfolk returned to action at Gatehouse Lane, welcoming recently relegated Stowmarket on a blustery October afternoon. With both sides unbeaten in the early stages of the season, anticipation was high for a fiercely contested encounter.

Team news

Missing their established centre pairing of Lemon and Landles, along with the imposing presence of second-row Jeremy Darley, West Norfolk were compelled to reshuffle their lineup. The adaptable Frazer Brown slotted in at inside centre, while captain Jack Wicks, impressive in recent outings at scrum half, shifted to outside centre. The squad also saw the welcome return of Hayden Revel at 9 and Tyler Pepper, making his first appearance since sustaining a knee injury last season.

First half

The first half was a tightly contested affair, with the strong wind playing a disruptive role throughout. The breakthrough came in the 7th minute, thanks to the sharp instincts of Hayden Revell, who took a quick tap penalty and bulldozed through two defenders in a powerful run. West recycled the ball efficiently, eventually feeding flanker Morgan Smith, who charged at the defensive line. A miscommunication opened up a glaring gap, which Smith exploited before unselfishly offloading to Jack Wicks just five metres out for a simple finish. Burgess added the extras with a well-struck conversion, giving West a 7–0 lead.

Stowmarket’s equalising score stemmed from a succession of penalties that handed them valuable territory and momentum. After a period of sustained pressure through relentless pick-and-drive phases, the West Norfolk defence was eventually breached, allowing the visitors to cross the line.

 Second half

West Norfolk struck again around the midpoint of the second half, capitalising on a well-executed lineout that set the platform for a series of composed phases. The back-line was unleashed with precision, and Frazer Brown came agonisingly close to the line before being brought down. Moments later, a high tackle temporarily floored Man of the Match Jacob Chapman, earning West a penalty. The ball was swiftly popped to recent substitute Bob Langfer, who powered over from close range.

Burgess added the extras once again to extend the lead.

But West Norfolk weren’t done yet. Straight from the restart, their tenacious defensive pressure unsettled Stowmarket’s backline, forcing a risky floated pass from the fly-half. The ball was mishandled by the Stowmarket 12 and landed perfectly for Layton Toll, who beat the same defender on the outside and sprinted in from halfway to extend the lead.

The final score was a testament to West’s relentless defensive intensity, which had visibly worn down the visitors. A loose pass was snapped up by JJ Hart, who surged forward for 20 metres before delivering a perfectly timed offload to Lewis Rudd. Rudd finished clinically, capping off a commanding team performance with a flourish.

Final score: West Norfolk 24 – 7 Stowmarket RUFC

Man of the Match

In one of the most formidable defensive displays witnessed at Gatehouse Lane in recent years, tighthead prop Jacob Chapman stood out with a series of thunderous tackles at crucial moments, effectively halting Stowmarket’s momentum.

Coach’s view

Head Coach Jamie Williamson had this to say:

“I’m immensely proud of the lads today. We knew the first half would be a battle against the wind, and we made it harder for ourselves with the penalties we conceded. But at half-time, there was a quiet confidence – we believed the game was there to be won. For me, the true measure of a team’s character is found in how it defends, and today our boys showed unwavering commitment. Anyone watching could see the unity, the grit, and the heart. As a coach, it was a privilege to witness.”

Saturday 13th September 2025 | Eastern Counties 1st Division

Following last weekend’s hard-fought victory over Ely Tigers, West travelled to the home of Newmarket RUFC with a quiet confidence. Their hosts, however, were also in buoyant mood, having dispatched West’s fellow promotion side from last season – Ipswich YM in convincing fashion in Ipswich the week before.

Team news

West were without the services of newcomers Angus Flint and Will (Bob) Langfer, but they were boosted by the return of several familiar faces. Last season’s standout youngster Joe Whittaker slotted in at hooker, Josh Burgess returned at full-back, Sam Landles lined up in the centre, and the experienced Shaun Mowbray added depth from the bench.

First half

The game began at a frantic pace, with Newmarket clearly intent on testing the West defence early through a range of powerful carries. The West line, however, stood firm, frustrating their hosts and forcing errors. Fly-half Jack Trundley took full advantage, using his boot to pin Newmarket deep in their own territory with a series of well-executed kicks.

It was West who struck first, surprising both the home players and supporters. From another pinpoint Trundley kick, West secured clean lineout ball and launched the first of several dominant rolling mauls on the day. Showing patience and control, they worked through two further phases before second-row Jeremy Darley powered over the line to open the scoring.

Confidence was growing, and West tightened their grip on last season’s runners-up with two further tries before the break. The first came once again from a precision Trundley kick into the corner, finished off by another monstrous rolling maul. The next owed much to a trademark break from James Dobbler at the base of the scrum, sucking in defenders before offloading to Layton Toll, who finished smartly in the corner. Newmarket did manage to get on the board before half-time with a penalty, sparing some blushes as the sides turned around.

Second half

The second half started poorly for West, as Newmarket hit back quickly with a well-worked move that saw their winger cut in-field to exploit a rare gap in the visiting defence. In years gone by, this might have proved a turning point, but not this season. The resilience and camaraderie in the West ranks was clear for all to see. A midfield turnover and a perfectly weighted kick from skipper Jack Wicks once again forced Newmarket back into their own 22. In their desperation to run the ball clear, they were met by a ferocious defensive effort, with Man of the Match James Dobbler stealing loose possession to set up another scoring chance. This time West showed the composure that had been lacking against Ely, building phases patiently until Jacob Chapman spotted a gap and powered through to score.

With momentum fully on their side, West continued to press. A brilliant break from George Lemon looked certain to bring another try before he was hauled down illegally, resulting in a penalty try. The final score of the afternoon came courtesy of William “Moose” Allen, who capped sustained pressure in the Newmarket 22 by crashing over the line to seal an emphatic West Norfolk victory.

Final score: Newmarket RUFC 10 – 45 West Norfolk

Man of the Match

For the second week running, West produced a number of standout performances across the field. This time, however, the Man of the Match award went to James Dobbler, who had narrowly missed out the week before. Building on that display, he somehow raised his game even further, producing a series of powerful carries and thunderous tackles at crucial moments.

Coach’s view

Head Coach Jamie Williamson had this to say:

“It was imperative that we approached this game with the right mindset. My message was simple – the only expectation was that every player left the field with their head held high, knowing they had given everything. They didn’t disappoint. It felt like another step forward from the Ely game, and if we can keep reviewing our performances each week, learning and improving even in small ways, I’ll be a happy man.”

Ely Tigers 17 – 19 West Norfolk

After a busy summer of preparation and a strong pre-season campaign, West Norfolk kicked off their 2025/26 season with a short trip to Ely Tigers. It was a fixture that carried plenty of weight, not least because the last time the two sides met back in the 2023/24 season, Ely had run out convincing 58–0 winners.

This time, things were very different.

Returning strength and new faces

West welcomed back several key players from long-term injury – including James Dobler, Jack Trundley and George Lemon – whose presence immediately added experience and quality. The squad was further boosted by new recruits Jeremy Darley, Angus Flint and Frazer Brown, all of whom earned starting spots on debut.

First-half battle

Conditions were warm with an awkward cross-breeze, and West found themselves under sustained pressure early on. Ely pinned the visitors deep in their own half, and despite some stubborn defence, a lapse around the breakdown allowed the Tigers’ scrum-half to snipe through and open the scoring.

West struck back in style. Relentless defensive pressure forced a wayward Ely pass, which debutant Frazer Brown pounced on, kicking ahead from halfway before gathering cleanly and racing away to level the scores.

The visitors’ second try showcased the new-look squad at their best. Powerful running from “man-mountain” Jeremy Darley dragged defenders into contact before quick ball found fellow recruit Angus Flint. He broke through the line and, showing composure, offloaded to skipper Jack Wicks to finish under the posts.

But Ely refused to fade. Their towering second rower powered through several would-be tacklers in a barnstorming solo effort to tie the game once more.

Second-half grind

The second period became a battle of set pieces, with both sides looking for a platform to gain the upper hand. The decisive moment came late on: vice-captain JJ Hart reacted quickest to a bobbled lineout, sniping into the Ely 22. Carries from Conor Clarke and stand-in centre Lewis Rudd edged West closer before returning #10 Jack Trundley produced some dazzling footwork, finding space where there seemed to be none to cross for the match-winning try.

Man of the Match

While there were several standout performances across the pitch, the award went to George Lemon. Making his long-awaited return from injury, Lemon impressed with his tireless work rate in both attack and defence, setting the tone for West’s resilient display.

Coach’s view

Head Coach Jamie Williamson was delighted with the opening-day victory:

“We’ve worked hard all off-season to build on what we achieved last year. You have a plan, but you never really know how things will come together on game day. There are still areas we need to improve, and I feel we have more gears in attack, but Ely isn’t an easy place to play – especially on the first weekend of the season. To come away with a win is really pleasing, and it gives us a strong platform to build on.”

Jamie Williamson praised the players and coaching team around him as West Norfolk Rugby Club bounced back from last season’s relegation at the first attempt. The Gatehouse Lane outfit clinched the Counties 2 Eastern Counties title in fine style with a resounding 66-7 victory against Thurston in front of a bumper crowd.

Coach Williamson, who has been involved with the club for more than 37 years, said: “It’s amazing. For me, it feels like it’s been almost a long journey from obviously playing as a youngster through the club and now I’ve done that. I don’t take all the credit, I take very little credit. We’ve been blessed to have a really good quality side this year.

“A lot of young players that have come into their own over the season and the coaches that I’ve got around me, the experience there, I couldn’t have done it without them. It was a case of getting over last year, which everyone knows was extremely hard on us. In the off-season I came to the table with a few ideas and said, well I’m happy to do the job if this, this and this happens. I’ve just been very lucky with the supporting cast around me I would say.”

What a difference a year makes.

This time last year, West Norfolk’s league status was hanging by a very frayed thread following a 54-0 drubbing at A47 rivals Wisbech in what can only be described as an injury-ravaged campaign.

Now after a year of hard work, the only way is up.

“I don’t want to bang on about last year too much, but last year what happened happened because of a horrendous injury record,” said Williamson. “We played around 55 players in the first team last year and this year we’ve been lucky enough to keep it to less than 30. We’ve kept a core squad together and have been very lucky when it comes to the injuries. The quality has always been there and it was just a case of pulling everyone together, having a bit of a reset and making them believe that they can do it. There was no rhyme or reason to it, it was just a very unlucky year. I’ve been involved for an awful long time and I’ve never had a season like it, I’ve never known a season like it.”

“To be entrenched in that, turning up week in week out, along with the captain Jack (Wicks), trying to scrape a team together every week. “This feels like a little bit of redemption that we managed to keep that squad together and show what we can do.”

After the trials and tribulations of last season, Williamson praised the efforts of his skipper.

“Jack, especially as a young captain, he certainly wasn’t expecting to take on what he did last year,” he said. “He dealt with it, obviously I supported him through it as a senior player. He’s earned it this year and I’m very proud of him. I’m hoping he stays with the team and continues to captain because next year is going to be difficult for us as well.”

Finlay Wilcox helped himself to a hat-trick of tries with Wicks (2), Morgan Smith, Gethin Hunter and Layton Toll also on the scoresheet along with a penalty try.

Hayden Revell kicked five conversions as West Norfolk turned on the style in the second half after going into the break 19-7 in front.

“When we look at the quality that we do have, I think one thing that we have been guilty of quite consistently, unfortunately, is just not coming out onto the pitch and hitting our stride quickly enough,” admitted Williamson.

“That’s something that we’ll be working on in the off-season because next year we’re not going to be able to afford to let teams get a head start on us. But eventually, as you’ve seen today, once we wake up and hit our stride then the type of rugby that we play, certainly we were too good for pretty much any team in this league.”

West’s Women are now next up for Senior level rugby and will play their final league fixture at home on Sunday 6th April – please come along to support! Up The West!

West Norfolk coach Jamie Williamson says the club’s defeat to Fakenham was an Eastern Counties learning curve for his team as they bounced back to winning ways at the weekend.

The Gatehouse Lane outfit saw off Mistley 34-32 in a thrilling affair – just seven days after suffering their second loss of the campaign against their Norfolk neighbours.

Williamson said: “We went into this game with last week’s performance still fresh in our minds. While we were keen to move on from the Fakenham match, we also knew that ignoring the lessons it offered would be a missed opportunity. As coaches and players, learning from setbacks is how we grow.

“The Mistley fixture was all about mindset. We have the talent and the fitness to beat any team in this league, but rugby is never just about skill—it’s about attitude.

“Winning comes down to being mentally tougher than your opposite man, making the right decisions under pressure, and doing whatever it takes to come out on top. Thankfully, our preparation was spot on, and the squad approached the game with real intent.”

“We knew Mistley would be a physical side, so it was crucial to impose ourselves early and show that we could meet them head-on. From there, our forwards put in the hard graft, and when our backs got quality ball, they looked as dangerous as ever.

“With Jack Wicks sidelined through injury and JJ Hart unavailable, we had to make some adjustments. I was particularly pleased with the partnership between Fin Wilcox at 10 and Sam Moses at 12. Both are natural playmakers who can create something out of nothing, and they stepped up when the team needed them.”

Ethan Young, Hayden Revell and Morgan Smith all helped themselves to tries against Mistley with Revell kicking two conversions and four penalties and Sam Moses kicking another penalty.

The coach was delighted to see his side return to winning ways.

“Bouncing back with a win was crucial—not just for the league table, but for the squad’s mentality,” admitted Williamson.

“As a coach, and as someone who has played for a long time, there’s nothing more disheartening than standing in that huddle at full-time and seeing the look on players’ faces when they know they haven’t done themselves justice. That feeling after Fakenham stuck with us all week. We owed ourselves a response.

“That said, we’re not where we want to be yet – We still need to sharpen up defensively and be smarter in key moments. But this performance showed the character of the squad.

“Getting back to winning ways was important—now it’s about building momentum and making sure we never feel like we did after Fakenham again.”

The league leaders host March Bears on Saturday before a crunch clash at second-placed Ipswich YM the following weekend.

And Williamson has left his players in no doubt about what he expects from them as they look to clinch the league title in the club’s centenary season.

“That’s simple—when I took over as head coach, I put up a sign above the changing room door with five key values: accountability, solidarity, passion, trust, and commitment,” he said. “Regardless of the situation, those are the standards I expect from the boys every time they step onto the field.”

West Norfolk’s men took to the road on Saturday to meet league rivals, Bedford Athletic RFC. The home team had not been beaten at their pitch for the last two years so the challenge for West was tangible.

Some last-minute changes in the starting squad saw West with some players out of position but able to meet the home teams’ relentless attacking play from the off.

Bedford let some of their key ball carriers take the initial workload and they forced West to move around the pitch in defence, ultimately seeing Hayden Revell taking the ball from the base of a ruck and beating their fullback in a foot race over 40 metres to the line. Jack Wicks opened his own scoresheet and converted the score to take West into the lead.

Not content with losing the advantage to the visitors, Bedford came back quickly and powered over the line with their forwards driving a maul that West could not deflect. The home kicker was unable to convert to West still held the lead.

Although West’s pack saw some injuries early on, including that of stalwart Jamie Williamson taking a boot to the head, the visitors were tenacious in their attacking pressure, with Finlay Wilcox intercepting a telegraphed pass to run in West’s second try. Wicks converted once more to take West clear.

As both teams continued to contest at every set play, Bedford exploited a brief lapse in West’s otherwise solid defence and head into half time with another well worked try. Bedford 10, West 14.

West came out for the second half with intensity, quickly seeing a penalty scored by Hayden before Bedford quickly put their own mark on the play and scored a converted try to bring the points level. Now that both squads were level, West’s men ramped up their game, determined to keep ahead.

A break in Bedford’s line was exploited, with excellent running and link-up play from Fin ‘Snake-hips’ Wilcox and Angus Williams leading to a try from Wicks, his first for the day, which he duly converted.

Not to be outdone, Bedford replied with a penalty score, swiftly followed by an unconverted try to go one point ahead.

The game pressure was building on both sides as the match headed into the final minutes of play, with a further penalty for each team putting the score in Bedford’s favour at 28-27. West’s men rallied once more, with captain Jack Wicks bursting through the Bedford defence and powering over the line, right between the posts. Once more, his trusty kick saw the try converted.

With the time rapidly running out on the clock, a moment of madness saw West drop to 14 with a yellow card for Will ‘Moose’ Allen. This gave Bedford enough scope to attack and through a series of pick and drives close to line, eventually they managed to score with last play of the match. With both teams and supporters holding their breath, Bedford missed the conversion, meaning West just clinched victory with 33-34.

On a crisp December afternoon, West Norfolk hit the road for a tough fixture against a well-drilled Woodbridge side. Memories of their earlier-season clash lingered and this time, the visitors were determined to deliver a performance more befitting of their table-topping credentials.

However, the long coach journey seemed to cling to West Norfolk’s legs as they were pinned back deep in their own 22 from the outset. Woodbridge capitalised on early momentum, combining strong running with well-rehearsed backline moves to carve through a usually resolute West defence. Lacking their typical composure, West struggled to find any foothold in the game.

Injuries to key players Alfie Woolcock and George Lemon further disrupted the visitors’ rhythm, and uncharacteristic mistakes saw opportunities slip through their fingers. By the time the half-time whistle blew, Woodbridge had raced to a deserved 19-0 lead, leaving West with an uphill battle.

The second half saw a visibly fired-up West Norfolk side emerge with renewed determination. A powerful carry from Will ‘Moose’ Allen on the Woodbridge 22 created a spark, with Hayden Revel picking up the charge and releasing Finn Wilcox, who snaked his way through defenders with quick feet and sharp vision to score West’s opening try.

Woodbridge, however, were not to be rattled and quickly answered back with an unconverted try in the corner, stretching their lead once again. But West Norfolk finally began to see their trademark intensity return, and the hard running that has troubled so many opponents started to tell.

A vintage interception from Jack Wicks turned the tide briefly, his anticipation and speed sparking life into the West comeback. Moments later, Vice-Captain Connor Clarke found himself unmarked and dived over in the corner, to bring West within three points and set up a tantalising finish.

Despite a valiant second-half resurgence, time was not on West Norfolk’s side. The final whistle blew with the score just out of reach, marking their first defeat of the season.

On a gusty match day, West faced visiting team Wymondham 2s who brought a solid attacking game with dangerous runners. Midway through the half, Wymondham came close to scoring but a superb covering tackle from Joe Whittaker forced a fumble on the 5m line. Wymondham, however, capitalised on a prior infringement to kick a penalty and take a 3-0 lead.

The response from West was swift, and, building their attack from deep in their half, a dynamic break from JJ Hart – supported by Joe Whittaker – carried them into Wymondham ‘s territory. Jack Wicks continued the attack, offloading to Finlay Wilcox, who raced past the defence to score. The conversion attempt was missed by Hayden Revel, but West took a 5-3 lead.

After the restart, Revel, Wicks, and Wilcox drove the home team up-field, with Jack Wicks spotting an opening on the blind side. A perfectly weighted grubber kick found Connor Clarke who dived on the ball, just over the try line. Another conversion attempt was missed, but West went into halftime with a 10-3 lead.

With the wind at their backs, West opened up their play in the second half, stretching the Wymondham defence across the field. Their next score came from a dazzling run by Finn Wilcox who weaved through defenders, before offloading to Jacob Chapman, who then powered over the line to extend the lead.

Wymondham responded with a well-constructed try of their own. Moving the ball effectively and using their offload game, they created space for their winger who dabbed the ball down in the corner. West regrouped quickly and from the restart, applied relentless pressure, pinning Wymondham deep in their 22. Wicks’ interception set the platform for another attacking opportunity, with the swiftly recycled ball finding JJ Hart, who finished strongly in the corner. This time, Revel converted with a well-struck kick.

West Norfolk adapted admirably to the tough conditions, combining defensive resilience with opportunistic attacking play to secure another victory and maintain their unbeaten run.

Final score – West Norfolk 27 – Wymondham 8

Man of the Match – Will ‘Moose’ Allen, kindly sponsored by Douglas-Scott Developments Ltd

Defensive player of the Match – JJ Hart, kindly sponsored by Rudd Joinery

Next up is an away trip to Thurston on Saturday 7 December. #UpTheWest

West began with intensity, applying defensive pressure that forced a poor kick from Mersey. Finn Wilcox gathered the ball and quickly moved it wide to Angus Williams, who drew the final defender and passed to George Lemon for the opening try. Hayden Revell added the conversion, setting the tone for the match.

The second try came immediately after the restart. A combination of pick-and-go phases from the forwards and quick offloads by the backs drove West deep into Mersey territory, where Jacob Chapman powered over the line.

Hayden Revell’s individual brilliance led to the third try. Breaking through from just outside the West 10-meter line, he carried the ball to the Mersey 5-meter mark before selflessly offloading to Angus Williams, who finished the play. Revell then added the conversion.

West’s fourth try came after free-flowing rugby saw Joe Whittaker make a key pass to prop Sean Mowbray, who charged through to score his first try for the club, contributing to a well-earned man of the match accolade.

Despite West’s dominance, Mersey showed resilience, capitalising on a lapse in concentration to score their first try. However, West quickly regained control. Pressuring the kick off, they forced a turnover and utilised their pod system effectively. This pressure culminated in a loose ball being scooped up, leading to a swift attack finished by Finn Wilcox.

The final try of the first half saw Ethan Young make a long break after intercepting a handling error. Though he was caught near the line, he offloaded to Wilcox who crossed for another score. Hayden Revell converted, closing a dominant first-half performance by West Norfolk.

In the second half, Mersey tightened their defence, making it a much closer contest. The home side struck first, working through West’s defensive line to score. However, West’s George Lemon’s pace and vision set up Angus Williams who skipped past defenders to finish the match with style. Revell’s conversion sealed the result.

Final scores – Mersea Island 17 – West Norfolk 47

Man of the match – Shaun Mowbray, kindly sponsored by Morello Flat Roofing Services

Defensive Player of the Match – Joe Whittaker, kindly sponsored by Smith & Munson

Saturday saw the West Norfolk boys tested yet again as they hosted second-place Ipswich YM at Gatehouse Lane for a top-of-the-table clash. With West completing a double over YM last season, tensions were high from the first whistle.

West came out strong, moving into YM territory from the kick off, testing the visitor’s defences with tight phases and powerful running. The early pressure paid off and with sharp hands along the backline, Ethan Young found the try line, giving West the first score.

Captain Jack Wicks added the extras, putting West up 7-0.

However, YM responded swiftly. West’s defence faltered momentarily, and after a series of driving mauls, they were penalised when second-row Edney Costa collapsed the maul, conceding a penalty try and earning himself a yellow card.

YM’s conversion brought them level, and both sides remained locked in a gritty contest.

West’s discipline continued to strain under pressure, and just before halftime, Wicks received a yellow card for a mis-timed challenge. West headed into the break trailing 7-14.

Head Coach Jamie Williamson didn’t hide his frustration during the halftime huddle, feeling his team had yet to reach their potential.

West emerged with renewed determination in the second half and it wasn’t long before Conor Clarke carved through YM’s line, drawing the last defender and setting up a flying George Lemon to finish. Wicks converted, levelling the scoreline.

The momentum shifted when Hayden Revell intercepted a YM pass and made a lot of ground before being caught. He offloaded to JJ Hart who drove for the line but fell short, then recycling the ball to Angus Williams who then powered over for another try.

Wicks was on point with the conversion again.

YM mounted a final assault on West’s goal line in the closing minutes, with the intensity leading to JJ Hart picking up a yellow card. But with the last play, a thumping tackle from Finlay Wilcox forced a turnover, sealing West’s hard-fought and resilient victory.

Man of the Match – Hayden Revell, sponsored by Hayley

Defence of the Match – Lewis Stewart – sponsored by Goldings of Outwell

West Norfolk’s men headed to Mistley for what would be a hard-fought clash, getting an early score from scrum half Ethan Young who disrupted his opposite number, forcing them to spill the ball for captain Jack Wicks to take the loose ball over the line, immediately converting his own score.

Mistley put in strong runs in response but West put pressure back onto the home team, with Fin Wilcox scooping up the ball mid-stride, powering through the home defence to ground the try for a second score, this time unconverted.

Mistley rallied, coming back to find a gap in West’s defensive lines, running in a well-deserved try and converting it to put themselves firmly on the board. Maintaining this energy, Mistley forced an error from the normally unflappable Wicks and with a dominant scrum on the West 5m line, forced a penalty and took another three points, which Wicks quickly countered with a penalty in West’s favour.

Some scrappy play from West gave the Mistley forwards space to make ground before another penalty against West ultimately resulted another score for Mistley, unconverted this time. The sides went into the half time break level at 15-15 with all to play for.

West came into the second half lacking energy initially, with poor rucking and laziness in the breakdown opening the door for Mistley once more, resulting in West conceding a penalty right in front of the posts which was successfully kicked, soon followed by another.

Rallying urgently, the visitors were finally able to get into the Mistley 22 yard area through sustained possession, with Jacob Chapman (Man of the Match) ploughing over the line to bring the score back to 21-19, with Wicks converting for maximum points.

An energised West saw JJ Hart skipping around multiple Mistley players, with Wicks placing a well-balanced kick into the Mistley corner for Moses and Williams to chase. The lone Mistley defender had to guide the ball into touch, giving West a lineout 15m out, which set up a solid ruck from which Angus Williams took a crash ball and recycled before quick hands from Wicks once again found Chapman – bouncing his way through some last-ditch defensive efforts – for him to score, with Wicks converting on the whistle for West to edge ahead and take the win.

Current league leaders West Norfolk took to the pitch at Gatehouse Lane, once more looking to keep their winning streak. Strong carries were made before play was brought back under the posts from an earlier infraction from Bedford, allowing captain Jack Wicks to slot home an early penalty.

After the restart, West were once again in Bedford territory, putting pressure on the away team with a dogged attack. The first try came from a badly executed clearance from the visitors’ scrum, with new player Fin Wilcox positioned perfectly to deftly pivot and run the ball into corner untouched. Wicks’ boot comfortably converted to take West ahead.

West conceded a penalty on their own 22m, so Bedford kicked and took the three points on offer; however, minutes later, West had added three more points to their total with another Wicks penalty kick.

Before half time, Angus Williams sprinted onto a neat chip over the top from fellow centre Wilcox, who scooped up the ball and danced his way through the remaining defenders for the score, once more converted by Wicks.

Coming out strongly after the break, West’s defence forced Bedford to fumble the ball, first picked up by Wicks and shifted to Louis Stewart, who then offloaded the pass over his head to Wilcox who once more scored under the posts, Wicks converting for maximum points.

A brief drop in concentration from West allowed the away team to kick for the corner from a penalty and saw them win their lineout with a powerful rolling maul to take them over the line and score a much wanted try. Bedford’s kicker converted to push their scores up the board, but West retaliated swiftly with another penalty.

After a quiet spell that saw handling errors from both sides, West were once again in Bedford territory with a scrum in midfield. Wicks received the ball from Scrum-Half Hayden Revell, then offloading to Wilcox in the centre and looping round to carry the ball through the Bedford defence before popping the ball to Moses who swan-dived over the line for the first unconverted try.West sealed the victory in the form of a quick tap and a telegraphed pass, which Wicks spotted early and intercepted in stride, before beating the fullback and scoring, ultimately converting his own score.

NExt week’s game sees the 1st XV travel away to Mistley RFC – Go the West!

West arrived at March full of confidence, riding high with four wins from four in the league. However, the game didn’t start as they had hoped. Whether it was adjusting to the smaller pitch or underestimating their opponents who were currently sat at the bottom of the table, West seemed out of sorts.

Despite powerful runs from Chapman, Costa, and Allen with equally solid lineout work, West’s efforts were undermined by poor decision-making and a high penalty count. Meanwhile, March showed resilience, playing through phases and utilising their big forwards effectively. They capitalised on their chances with accurate goal-kicking, keeping the pressure on to the visiting team.

Tries from JJ Hart and Charlie Long kept West in contention, but they trailed 19-10 at halftime.

After the break, West looked more energised. A brilliant break by Wicks in midfield and a crucial lineout steal put them in a great position to score, though a double movement from Long on the line denied them the try.

West’s momentum continued as Wicks added a penalty and soon after, a sharp break from Conner Clarke set up an easy try for Ethan Young which Wicks duly converted.

Not long after, West struck again. After multiple phases, Will Allen – affectionately known as the Canadian moose to the squad because of his strength on the pitch – broke through three defenders and flopped over the line. Wicks converted once more.

With West finding their rhythm, scrum half Hayden Revell spotted a gap at a breakdown inside the March 22-yard line and darted through for another try, again converted by Wicks.

The final score came when captain Wicks reacted quickly to a tipped kick from Moses, juggling the ball before getting it out for Ethan Young to run in his second try of the day, unopposed. Wicks again converted.

This was truly a game of two halves for West with some valuable lessons having been learned.

Man of the match – Jacob Chapman, sponsored by Michael Wicks Garage

Defender of the match – Will Allen, sponsored by Douglas-Scott Developments

West’s 1^st XV go again on Saturday 19^th, once again playing at Gatehouse Lane with a President’s Lunch prior to the match. Please contact the Club or Mark Ballman for lunch tickets and come and support. #UptheWest

Another glorious autumn afternoon at West Norfolk’s home on Gatehouse Lane saw a much-anticipated top of the table clash, with Fakenham being welcomed to the compete for the number one spot, much to the delight of the gathered spectators and pre-match lunch guests who had turned out in force.

Soon after the kick off West started to dominate, turning the ball over and working their way down field. Moving the ball from touchline to touchline, some confusion on the part of Fakenham as to whether a foot went into touch left Number 8 James Dobbler playing to the whistle and trotting in the first score. Captain Jack Wicks’ boot immediately worked its magic and converted to take West into the lead.

An excellent lineout from West, followed by some quick phases of passing play, caught Fakenham on the back foot just outside their 22-yard line where they then conceded a penalty. Without hesitation, Williams took a quick tap and slinked his way through the remaining Fakenham defenders untouched, again seeing Wicks slotting over another conversion.

Following some back and forth in midfield and a momentary lapse of judgement from Williams that earned him a yellow card, West were on the charge once again with Lemon’s quick feet chewing up the yards. A dropped pass saw Fakenham not reacting to the situation and the recycled ball from the breakdown was immediately shipped wide to an unmarked Costa, who jogged in another score from five yards out.

The home team went into half time feeling confident, but Head Coach Jamie Williamson later reflected that the team could have done more with their opportunities.

The next West Norfolk try came shortly after the restart, with some strong defence by the home team forcing a handling error from Fakenham. Defensive player of the match Jacob Chapman reacted first, picking up the loose ball and setting off on a charge before offloading on the outside to Hayden Revell who snuck the ball into the corner.

Wicks’ excellent kicking form continued with the conversation being made to take West confidently into the lead.

A theme was starting to emerge in West’s play, namely through quick reactions to situations as they unfolded on the pitch. The next score was a perfect example of this and saw the ball came loose at a breakdown on the Fakenham ten-yard line, with substitute Lewis Stuart (Northern) picking it up and galloping his way through a massive hole in the defence to score under the posts.

Wicks once again made the conversion and the home side edged further ahead.

Rallying briefly, Fakenham put pressure back onto West and a good portion of the remaining minutes was spent in the home 22, where the team were forced to defend. West put pressure on themselves with some unnecessary penalties and Fakenham finally took advantage with a consolation try.

Man of the Match – Lewis Rudd, sponsored by Rae Rudd Ltd

Defence of the Match – Jacob Chapman, sponsored by Wicks Garage

Next up sees the Men away to March on Saturday 12^th October, with all spectators welcome.

In a passionate local derby West started strong, surprising Wisbech with their physicality but despite punishing crash balls from Dobbler, Chapman and Miles, West couldn’t capitalise the early dominance.

Handling errors allowed Wisbech to kick into West territory where they utilised their big runners well, scoring off the back of a lineout on the West five-meter line but failing to convert.

Taking that momentum, Wisbech scored a second try after a spell of sustained pressure on attack and a momentary lapse in concentration on the part of the West defence, but again failing to convert for maximum points. However, a strong West response came shortly after with some efficient phases and swift hands culminating in a lineout close to the Wisbech line and ultimately Wicks ducked through two tacklers to ground the first try for the visitors, also converting his score.

The early pressure from Wisbech and some unnecessary penalties led to the home team choosing to use their considerable weight advantage in the scrum with two pushover try attempts being called back.

After a brief respite due to Wicks’ boot, Wisbech were back in the visitors 22-yard zone once again implementing their physical yet extremely effective game plan, breaking down the West defences and crashing in under the posts and taking the extra two points.

West regained presence on the pitch and with some solid runs supported by the reliability of Wicks’ boot, West continued to take points through penalties although the home team weren’t done yet, going back to their tried and tested attacking game plan that saw another seven points made.

A quick break from the base of the scrum saw Wicks offload to winger Layton Toll, masterfully gathering the ball off his boot laces and popping the ball to Dobbler who plunged over the line to see seven points made for West.

With West finishing strong, Wisbech conceded a final penalty, once more expertly converted by the golden boot of Wicks. West will now welcome Fakenham to Gatehouse Lane on 28^th September.

Man of the match – Tim Bateman

Defensive player of the match – Jacob Chapman, sponsored by Wicks’ Garage

West Norfolk’s men headed into their second game of the new season, once again taking to the pitch at Gatehouse Lane, this time welcoming visitors Woodbridge to the club.

Fielding an altered line up due to injuries in the previous match, this forced Head Coach Jamie Williamson to have a shuffle around in the pack.

Regular starter JJ Hart found himself in familiar surroundings in the second row as one of the pack powerhouses. Angus Williams stepped in for JJ in the centre with West soon facing a tougher test in terms of physicality, with Woodbridge bringing a solid defence and some strong ball carriers in attack. As a result, early scores were exchanged and both sides looked relatively well matched as the game got underway.

Whilst the home side were forced to be more patient this week, eventually West was able to put tried and tested phases together and unlock the Woodbridge defence both round the edge – with what ended up as a hattrick of scores from Lucas St Helaire – and through the middle, with Wicks and Williams picking the right gaps in that otherwise solid defence, ultimately seeing both of those players scoring and Wicks having another good kicking day.

Significant support contributions came from Man of the Match George Lemon who consistently showed his turn of speed and footwork, in addition to Josh Burgess applying pressure when it was needed most.

Some mid-match injuries saw West needing to have switch several players into new positions, which, along with the inevitable fatigue playing in these warm weather conditions, meant that the squad briefly lost form in the closing minutes and allowed Woodbridge in for a soft consolation try.

Man of the Match – George Lemon (sponsored by Middleton Aggregates)

Defensive player of the Match – Joe Whittaker

Next fixture is Saturday 21^st September, heading to local rivals Wisbech for what is always a closely-fought contest; KO at 3:00pm. Both teams are hoping to continue their respective unbeaten streaks for the 2024-2025 season.

West Norfolk 17 v 0 Ipswich YM

West Norfolk kicked off 2024 against Ipswich YM who, earlier in the season, West had only just managed to beat with the final kick of the game in the reverse fixture. With very wet conditions and knowing that YM have a reputation for being a very physical team, West knew they would need to switch on from the start if they were to avoid the game turning into a battle of attrition. West bolstered their squad with returns for Dan Stephenson, Jamie Williamson and Edney Costa whilst Hayden Revell captained the side in the absence of an injured Jack Wicks.

West started well from their kick off, playing the game at a high tempo, forcing Ipswich YM to scramble their defence on a number of occasions. Revell made a smart break down the right wing, getting within 5m of the try line; however, Ipswich turned the ball over and West was caught offside, releasing the early pressure on the visitors. Soon after, West forced Ipswich into conceding a penalty in midfield, with the hosts choosing to kick for the corner instead of a probable three-point score. A scrappy lineout squandered West’s chances for more, leaving the scores level at nil – nil.

The first quarter continued to be dominated by West with a strong scrum led by the front row of Chin Newton-Walters, Will Allen and Luis Costa providing a base for Revell and his back line. Williamson and No.8 James Dobbler made big carries into a resolute YM defence but West could not quite finish their chances and the first half ended with Ipswich making a dangerous break into the West half, with West fighting to clear their lines, leaving the game scoreless at the whistle.

With the temperature dropping and worsening pitch conditions, Ipswich missed an early penalty, shortly followed by a yellow card for the visitors after a dangerous tip tackle. With the numbers advantage, West began to test the Ipswich defence and saw carries from Williamson, Rocco Jones and Lewis Rudd eventually forcing a mistake and a penalty from Ipswich, which Revell confidently kicked through the posts.

This would spurred West on, and with fresh legs on the field in the form of Conor Clarke and Alex Miles, West began to build momentum deep in the Ipswich half. A smart break by full back Quinton Houston, offloading to Josh Burgess on the wing almost got West over the try line, but a turnover provided Ipswich with a chance to clear their lines.

A scrappy clearance from the visitors was then collected by West in the midfield before Williamson found space to run, getting to within 8m of the Ipswich line before offloading to a supporting Connor Clarke who grounded the ball in the corner, with Revell successfully converting a very difficult kick.

With the game becoming scrappy and rucks becoming equally-matched battles, West disrupted Ipswich possession on the half way line. A subsequent quick ball from scrum half Eddie Crewe to Revell caught Ipswich scrambling, and a dummy pass to Dobbler, running at full speed, split the visitor’s defence and a final pass to the dynamic Connor Clarke saw him get his second and final try of the afternoon; Revell once more converting.

A final yellow card for the visitors after being blown for having hands in the ruck added to their woes, and West saw out the game as victors.

Adrian Flux Man of the Match was Jamie Williamson (sponsored by Briarfields Coastal Hotel).

Head coach Darren Clarke commented: “This was a hard fought but deserved victory against an opposition side that always give everything. Although we dominated the first half, our decision-making and lack of patience led to us being scoreless at half time. In the second half we were a little more ruthless and it was pleasing to score a couple of good tries, although we did miss out on a few more good chances. Most pleasing was our defensive effort to keep a clean sheet. The gloss was taken off the victory with yet another leg fracture and we wish Jacob Chapman a speedy recovery”.

Next week the Men’s 1^st XV make the long away trip to Southwold whilst the Men’s 2^nd XV team are away to Crusaders 2nds.

West Norfolk welcomed league leaders Shelford 2nds to Gatehouse Lane on Saturday, knowing that they would need to pull out one of their best performances of the season to beat a side who had so far only lost once and already have eight try bonus points to their name. With both Lewis Rudd and JJ Hart unavailable in the forwards from the previous week, West welcomed back Nic Bull and Alex Miles. In the backs, George Lemon’s absence would mean that team captain Wicks would move back into the centres and Olly Denton would start at fly half.

A competitive first few minutes saw both sides tussling for possession. West’s scrum operated much more efficiently and this provided quick ball, enabling Wicks to make numerous dangerous runs into the Shelford half. A short period of possession for Shelford resulted in West conceding a penalty just inside their 10m line, which the Shelford fly half easily kicked over for 3 points.

Shelford showed why they have the most try bonus points in the league with their attacking game, looking dangerous at every opportunity. The defensive effort for West was led by No.8 James Dobbler, and absorbed the pressure for a number of phases before forcing the Shelford fly half to kick over the West back line, only for the visitor’s winger to fumble. With ball in hand, full back Hayden Revell and center Sam Landles linked up, running the ball back deep into the Shelford half. With Shelford scrambling, they gave away a penalty at the ruck and without hesitation, Dobbler tapped and went, driving over the try line from 5m out to open West’s account for the afternoon, with Wicks converting.

The try lit a fire in West who began applying pressure to Shelford’s defence all over the field. Penalties began to flow for the hosts, although Wicks narrowly missed one from out wide before coolly kicking the next one over to open the gap to seven points. With Stewart, Jones and Bull carrying hard for West, Denton took to the boot to put pressure on the Shelford back three. Eventually a handling error was made by the visitors and scrum half Bateman pounced on the ball, only to be held in the tackle, meaning the referee awarded West a penalty just inside the Shelford 22m line. Bateman opted to tap and go down the blind side, offloading to Denton, and the experienced No.10 calmly stepped two defenders and scored close to the right touch line, with Wicks then adding the conversion.

With half time looming, Shelford were by no means going to lay down and allow West to have an easy ride. Using their pace out wide, Shelford began to test the fringes of West’s defence and build momentum with a number of strong phases. Taking their time, eventually the league leaders found themselves close to the West Norfolk try line and panicking slightly, West gave away two penalties in quick succession, with Shelford opting for the scrum on both. On the second scrum,  Shelford’s no.8 picked up the ball from the back of the scrum and using his strength, crashed over the line for a try. The final few minutes before half time would see both sides battling for territory with Denton continuing to pepper the Shelford back 3 with kicks. The half time whistle went, with West on 17 v 8 Shelford.

One hoped that the momentum of the first half and a lively Gatehouse Lane crowd would spur West on to continue their fine form from before half time, but unfortunately this would not be the case and Shelford went on to show why they are in the position that they are. With a largely quiet third quarter, the back three trio of Burgess, Crewe and Revell nullified the Shelford threat out wide, forcing the visitors to carry hard up the middle of the park. As the half ticked on, eventually a Shelford lineout created quick ball for the Shelford center to then hit a smart line, splitting the West defense and touching down just to the left of the posts. With now a two-point gap in the scores, the game was in the balance but it would be the league leaders who tipped the scales in their favour.

Despite great work from Chapman, Nunn and Newton-Walters in the front row of West’s scrum, they could not get the rub of the green from the whistle and Shelford went on to capitalise on a quick tap penalty to take the lead with minutes to go.

From the restart, Shelford continued their onslaught and marched their way back down to the West 5m line. With the host’s seemingly trying to cling on for a losing bonus point a huge defensive effort from Stewart, Dobbler and Wicks denied Shelford any easy scores and eventually West was rewarded with a turnover and a kick for touch to relieve the pressure. However, in the final few minutes West was cruelly put to the sword, with a smart interception following a West lineout resulting in an easy run-in for a Shelford back and another bonus point win for the league leaders. FT West 17 v 27 Shelford 2s. Adrian Flux man of the match was James Dobbler (sponsored by Trundley Design).

Head coach Darren Clarke commented: “For the third week running we were competitive with a team currently in the top 3 in the league but once again we came away with nothing to show for our efforts. We are currently lacking some belief and confidence, and we need to react better when opposition sides have a good period of play or when decisions don’t go our way. Having said that there were plenty of positives to take away from the game and the performance was once again a step up from the previous week. Squad depth is improving and hopefully with more players returning in the next few weeks we will see more cohesion moving forward.”

West 1sts now have a week off before travelling away to Cantabrigian.