NORTH WALSHAM U15’s 24 vs SOUTHWOLD U15's 12

Southwold travelled to the impressive North Walsham fixture with a squad of just 15 players, hampered by injuries and County call ups. But credit must go to those 15 who played, as individually they all played their part on the day with some playing out of position to ensure Wold had a team.

From the start it was obvious that Wold would play open and expansive rugby, using their speed and quick feet to make progress down the field. As a move swept from left to right flanks, Keiran was stopped in the 22. Quick ball secured by Tim and Cairns allowed Chris to find Callum. Some lovely passing through the backs then allowed Darius to use his pace to out sprint the covering defence and score in the corner. Chris then converted from what seemed like an impossible angle to take the lead to 7-0. From the kick off, Ellis secured good ball and with Jacob and Innes in support they drove forward. Again Chris secured quick ball and the backs attacked again. Woody found Conner in space and his jinking run avoided tackles, with a nice off load to Darius the attack sped down the flank only to result in a line out. Walsham were soon to get into their stride, and they moved the ball wide. Blondie stuck to his defensive tackles well, but good phased possession by Walsham saw them quickly level the score. We then saw a period of ‘stop/start’ rugby as penalty after penalty seemed to be awarded. The Wold scrum was doing their utmost against an obviously heavier pack, but the scrum re-sets were not helping either side. Walsham capitalised on the infringements in the ruck area and scored an unconverted try in the corner just before the break.

Walsham then started the second half quicker than Southwold, and secured good ball in the forwards. The substitutions for Walsham gave them the fresher legs and they soon scored another converted try, despite tackles from Jacob, Blondie and Micheil. Callum rallied the lads behind the posts and they came out going back to basics: secure good ball and use the pace of the team. The line out was looking solid and Hugo struck a couple against the head in the scrum. Jacob and Ellis became more vocal and encouraged the pack forward. Woody was moving quick ball to Conner, who side stepped numerous Walsham players to create the attack. Against the run of play, Walsham scored another try to increase their lead. But Southwold were not going to lay down. Slight knocks were ignored as players played through pain. Callum’s kicking game was working well, always looking for Darius to chase and turn over the ball. Some lovely play down the flank from Micheil allowed Darius to nearly drive over, but once again the quick play saw the ball move through hands and allow Conner to dive over on the opposite flank (a lovely worked team try involving nearly every player). Chris was unlucky with the conversion as the final whistle was blown.

A really good performance from the 15 available on the day, showing the need to have a squad capable of covering the missing players. Some excellent line out wins, some hooking against the head and some attacks with pace.

Iron Man: Conner for some excellent tackles from centre position.
Man of Match: Hugo for 2 weeks on the trot in at hooker and coping admirably.

Well done also to Alex, Jake and Jacob on selection to Suffolk U15 squad.