Wold Miss Chance To Ensure League Safety 

Cantabrigian 23 – 22 Southwold

Only in patches did Wold show their recent good form and an inspired Cantabs took full advantage of what was, if truth be told, a very average and lacklustre performance by Wold.

It was also very disappointing given assurance of league safety next season was there for the taking with a win, and would have taken the pressure off the final two games of the season.

A dominant Wold performance by the forwards went unrewarded as the penalty curse returned to this game, Wold giving away 18 repetitive penalties, coupled with not being rewarded for their total front row dominance which saw the Cantabs front row stand up time after time in the scrum but to no avail. It was tough to watch and Cantabs to their credit took full advantage.

No team can expect to win, despite scoring more tries, when they give away so many penalties, albeit some of them were a total mystery to both teams and both sets of spectators, but points are points and Wold failed to stop the flow of free points gifted to the opposition, coming away with only a single losing bonus point for their efforts.

Cantabs were 10-0 up after half an hour from a penalty for offside in the backs followed by a try wide on the left hand wing following three Wold missed tackles, but the conversion from the touchline was amazing.

That kick should have sounded the alarm bells that if something was kickable it was likely the Cantabs lad would take advantage, but the warning was not heeded. Luke Wade got three points back with a penalty in front of the posts on 33 minutes and the score stood at 10-3 until half time

Ten minutes in to the second half Cantabs had another three points from a penalty in front of the posts, and then Wold were awarded a penalty of their own, within kickable distance but kicked for the corner, only for the resultant throw to be not straight and the chance for points was gone.

In the 60th minute Ollie Carlstroem charged down a clearing kick as Cantabs tried to run the ball out of their own 22. Carlstroem picked up the ball magically to run in for a great individual and much needed try, but Luke Wade hit the post with his kick and the score remained at 13-8 without the two extra points.

Cantabs scored a try wide on the left five minutes later, Wold again missing tackles, and with the kick good  their lead increased to 20-8 with about fifteen minutes left on the clock. It seemed to both sets of supporters it was game over.

Josh Wallis and Guy Blades had other ideas however as they combined beautifully for Guy Blades to go over in the right hand corner and Josh Wallis made the conversion from the touchline.

At 20-15 it was game back on and Wold were beginning to believe and pressure the Cantabs line.

The genuine excitement didn’t last too long as another inevitable Cantabs penalty in front of the posts gave the home team a vital eight point lead at 23-15 with only three minutes to go.

That penalty proved to be totally vital in the result as Wold did get their third try when that man Blades battled his way up the touchline again and dived over next to the flag and Josh Wallis slotted for the extra two point with another beautiful conversion right from the touchline.

It was all too late however and the final whistle blew with Cantabs keeping their one point advantage and Wold regretting those give away penalties, especially that last one.

Wold will now have to do it all again next Saturday against Ipswich at home, as mathematically they can still be caught by Cantabs and South Woodham Ferrers.

What a local Suffolk derby that will be now, as a bonus point win for Ipswich over Harlow saw them leapfrog above Wold in the league by a single point and with both teams still needing a win next week.

Anything could happen as good friends and coaches Seb Anthony for Wold and Nick Greenhall for Ipswich go head to head in what will now be a mouth-watering encounter.

MOM –  Guy Blades, who continues to amaze and improve each week at the tender age of 17, with two great tries on the day.

Photos courtesy Linda Cayley

www.southwoldrugby.club

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