Best performance of the season so far.

Based on the Facebook traffic between school "friends" in both teams, this was always going to be a big match. So we were under no illusions that the opposition were "up for it" as we set foot on a very boggy pitch. Unfortunately for Beccles, Southwold played with a level of intensity and passion that has been sadly absent from many of our matches this season. In short they were simply outstanding in virtually every department. Indeed i have had to rewrite this report to remove some of the superlatives less the boys become big-headed - as if.

Our rucking, in the main and for a change, was excellent both in terms of protecting the ball and getting it out fast. But the game plan was to turnover their ball at every opportunity. The target was 10 and we managed eight. As significantly, we were only turned-over once. As we discovered against YM a few weeks ago, turnover ball changes the dynamics of a game and is hugely demoralising if you're on the wrong end.

The eventual scoreline doesn't reflect the match and certainly in the first 10 minutes we were pinned down in our half. But a few strategic kicks from Ben F got us in to their half and then a cross field kick from him a few minutes later resulted in Brannan running in a well deserved try. This was despite him being initially obstructed off the ball and then high tackled when he managed to scoop it up! Game on.

Matt marked his return from the stage with a fine try a few minutes later after running a great angle in 3v2 situation to carve through the defence. Then Joey scrambled over for a very popular score after a multi-phased attack and some excellent rucking.

Despite the three unanswered tries in the first half, we felt the game could easily turn in the second half, such was the commitment and determination of the opposition. So we came out all guns blazing. The tackling on both sides was crunching and rarely did their big runners break through our first line of defence. The usual huge hits from Ben S and Joe were replicated all around the park by everyone. Combine this with the text book low tackles from Josh and James when and where it really mattered, halted any attack. There was clearly some school scores being settled.

The tackling was such that Route One was unlikely to be effective for either team, so our backs exploited the gaps or went around in second or third phase ball - hence four of our tries being scored by the wingers. Our extraordinary handling in the backs, despite the slippery ball, ensured all opportunities were taken. Stan's first try resulted from a one-two (actually probably a one-two-one) with Felix through the soggiest part of the pitch. His second resulted from a Milo interception and a few jinks (impressive considering the ground conditions) before off loading to Stan who had come off his wing with Ashton like eagerness to gratefully run in the try.

After several strong but unrewarded runs in the game, another cross field kick sat up for Billy to score on his wing. The icing on the cake was a well worked try by Jon who ran an unstoppable angle collecting a well timed pass from Ben F.

Final score Southwold 41 - Beccles 0

Choosing a Man of the Match was probably more difficult than ever before as the standard of performances from everyone was so high. If only we could bottle it - as a parent remarked afterwards. As the saying goes, the pack won the game and the backs decided by how much - never more so than on Sunday. I would like to name every player in this report from the front row to the fullback in my praise but suffice as to say that if the club house was big enough they would have all been in the boat race afterwards. Stan collected the accolade for running in his two tries but nearly drowned in the boat race!

Despite the emphatic win, the coaches were a little disappointed that we were two turnovers short of the target, we only managed one of the planned four inside passes, we only had one buzz ball (awesome combination of Jack A and Konnor) and we had no pods. Just imagine what we could achieve if we can get these in to our game too!

Excellent boys. Well done.