Southwold Kick started their league campaign with a proper romping of newly promoted Haverhill. Entering the game full of confidence, due in part to a top pre seasons where 4 from 4 wins were accumulated against, on paper tougher opposition. Another key factor is down to a new look coaching staff and a settled dressing room, providing the answers to unlocking the best from the highly potent backline with several new additions upfront bulking up the platform to allow this game style.
Southwold RFC 14 – Woodbridge RFC 13
After Southwold’s impressive start last week, winning 74-0 at home to Haverhill, the team were keen to ensure their position as league winning contenders continued. Woodbridge away posed a much trickier obstacle especially as they did the double over Southwold last season.
An unfazed and confident Southwold started in the same style to the previous game, with good strong forward play unleashing the backline and, but for a mild case of white line fever and some strong Woodbridge defence, Southwold would have gone over in the corner. The strong forward pressure did pay-off soon after resulting in a kickable penalty, duly slotted home by D.Hume.
A good kicking game by both sides saw a period of stalemate follow, only to be broken by some good hands and strong running allowing Southwold winger G.Wagg to power over in the corner taking the score to 8-0. Woodbridge then playing to their game plan reduced Southwold to 14 men after a moment of hot headedness by the Southwold Hooker. This immediately resulted in 3 points for Woodbridge. A further penalty from Southwold took the score to 11-3, with only Southwold’s dogged defence stemming the turning tide of pressure.
The second half saw the 14 man Southwold continue to play a game style more similar to seasons’ past allowing Woodbridge to break through and score a converted try under the posts taking the score to 11-10. With the wind at their backs, Woodbridge attempted to tighten the screws piling on the pressure with a try rightly disallowed for a forward pass.
Missed kicks from both sides were exchanged with Woodbridge coming through to take the lead 13-11, much to the satisfaction of the large home crowd. With the game appearing over, Southwold’s ‘never say die’ attitude saw a great team display resulting in a further twist to the game with D.Hume spooning over a drop goal from close range with the last kick of the game to give Southwold the bragging rights.
Southwold RFC U11s
Brandeston Hall 21 – Southwold RFC 14
This was the first game of the season and what a game to watch. Brandeston play some very attacking rugby and we defended very well with some lovely tackling to hold the Brandeston team back. At one point we were 14 points down when we went on the attack and with a few passes along the line created a space for Charlie Delaney to show a little bit of brilliance to score our first try of the season. Our tails where then up and with two minutes to play we scored again with a rolling maul which then fed the ball to Charlie who crashed over the line to bring us even. But then Brandeston pulled all the stops out straight from the restart. Despite tackling for all we were worth, we conceded a try in the dying seconds.
Woodbridge RFC 0 – Southwold RFC 7
This game was a little more open and fast moving with both teams attacking and defending very well and cancelling each other out for most of the time. We had some very good attacks, one thwarted by a brilliant try-saving tackle. But after further positive attacking and surport play by the forwards, Charlie scored the winning try.
The forwards had a fantasic day and only lost one scrum all day so they did very well as this was their first time at being a five man unit.