Southwold 1st XV win on their new home pitch
Saturday 25th September 2010
Southwold 1st XV, playing on The Common for the first time this season since the pitch realignment, did not disappoint and earned the win against spirited opposition.
On a very wet and windy day, Southwold started confidently, quickly finding their rhythm with the forwards securing good ball creating the platform from which the backs could start to attack the corners. After several drives towards the visitors’ line from both backs and forwards alike, the pressure ultimately told, and a penalty was awarded.
The next 20 minutes of play saw possession almost exclusively in the hands of Southwold. Some decent line outs from the pack and good, quick distribution from scrum half at the breakdown ensured an over lap on the left. Good rucking and slick hands between McDaniel & Copling saw Stockwell-Jones put Currie into space who crossed the line in the left corner for a well worked team try. A superb touchline conversion by D Hume maximised the points. Further tries during this period of domination were scored by the increasingly impressive B. Balls and some dynamic running lines from Starks.
Following the break, the home teams’ performance during the 3rd quarter was well below par. Poor rucking, ball retention and recycling allowed the opposition into the game, which they duly capitalised on. Several strong phases of play by the Thurston forwards drove play within 5 yeards of Southwolds try line. Another infringement at the ruck by the home team pack, saw Thurstons Number 8 dive over from a quick tap penalty. Lesson learnt!
After some strong but honest words amongst the home team forwards, the final quarter of the match saw a reinvigorated Southwold reassert their authority over the visitors. Confident defence at the breakdown and hard tackling from backs and forward alike soon resulted in turnover ball for the home team. Grasping the initiative, the Southwold forwards drove the ball from deep within their own half, asserting pressure and gaining a penalty. A quick tap by the Southwold scrum half and a visitor tackle within 10 yards saw another penalty awarded around halfway. Another quick tap, run and subsequent pass to one of the forwards pushed the home team deeper into the visitors’ territory. A superbly timed run by Starks took the opposition by complete surprise, sucking defenders far out to the right near their 22. A good off-load in the tackle to a surprisingly sprightly Currie running an outside-inside line, saw the Southwold full back cross the line for anther try.
Mixed Fortunes for Youth teams in the Suffolk Sevens
Sunday 26th September 2010
Southwold fielded teams in U13s, U14s, U15s and U16s on Sunday at the Royal Hospital School near Ipswich. The annual competition was attended by over 50 teams from some 15 clubs and despite the awful weather, the day ran like clockwork as always thanks to the organiser Ross Cowie and his team of helpers. Our teams had mixed successes with the U13s (who averaged four tries per match) and the U16s both reaching the main competition, only to be knocked-out in the semi-finals, and the U14s winning the Plate, beating old rivals Woodbridge 31-5 in the final. Despite the incessant rain there was some excellent 7’s rugby played and some good handling across all our teams resulting in some showcase running rugby and our little club with a big heart had a proud day.
Southwold Rugby Club
