Southwold -V- Hadleigh Match Report

Southwold welcomed unfamiliar opposition in Hadleigh to the Common of a day that provided a test for the entire Southwold U10 squad.

Hadleigh struggled to find the ground at the Common and arrived late to the game, giving the Wold coaches time to prepare the squad for the game. The coaches focus continued to be discipline, pod rugby and support play. This served Wold well.

After the delayed start the game, some flowing rugby from Southwold across the lines with several players getting hands on the ball early resulted in early tries for flyers Jacob Bayford & Granger Muir. The game however was somewhat uncompromising and then began to become very stretched, which resulted in Hadleigh obtained two unanswered tries back. As in previous weeks, this galvanised Wold. The engine room of young Wold began to rumble and Ellis Philips and Will Dyson simply barged their way over the line twice in a pair of wonderful mauls. Hadleigh had no answer, much to the delight of Wold's spectators. Sheer physical power and strong body positions pushed Hadleigh back. This spurred on other Wold players, with Warren Terry leading the way with some thumping tackles that really demonstrates his ability and commitment when Wold are not in possession. Archie Camp and Dillon Burgess also contributed with Wold rucking and mauling to see Wold half time in some comfort. This however changed into the second half for reasons well know to the Wold team and spectators.

Wold made several changes to ensure all players got a game. Isobel Ross came on and simply ran at Hadleigh hard and took a smashing. The other Wold players supported her and it was that support play that saw James Rowland release Louis Davey to score a well deserved try on the wing. No repeat of line error this week for Davey who grounded the ball and celebrated with his team mate Ross, whose direct run at Hadleigh made the play. Hadleigh scored a try in response, but again Wold answered with tough guys Arthur Camp and Will Dyson barging over to score. Carman's barging try was a wonderful sight, as he grounded the ball with at least four Hadleigh players hanging on. Hadleigh and their coaching staff were somewhat prickly at this stage & began to show their collective frustration. The Wold coaches seized this opportunity and with guidance scored a fine try through Jake Young and then a final 'forwards' try from Ellis Philips, again driven on by Arthur Carman and Will Dyson to nail the coffin shut. Hadleigh were finished. Southwold could taste the win and pushed on to score further tries from Muir and the magnificent Bayford. The games ended with Southwold happy with performance and position.

Wold played this game with the Rugby core values at heart and this came through in their systematic dismantle of Hadleigh in both matches. Coaches Andy & Des were aligned in the choice of Warren Terry as Vice Captain, reflecting on his hard work and industry throughout the two Hadleigh games.