SOUTHWOLD WIN IN THE WIND AGAINST HOLT

A few niggling injuries to players this week saw a varied starting line up, with Jacob B propping with Jens and Cairns at hooker. Second row saw Michiel return after injury and form his partnership with Ellis. Back row consisted of Jake T, Alex and Woody starting at flank. The backs formation saw Chris and Callum at half backs, centre partnership of Jacob E and Connor, with wings Darius and Blondie and Kieran reverting to full back. Subs were Mark and a resting Zak.

After last weeks win confidence was high, but the wind across the common was going to play a big part in this game but both teams failed to make full use of this added ‘player’. Southwold started strongly with some fine interplay between the backs and forwards, allowing Wold to attack against the wind. Jacob, Connor and Darius combined well down the flank getting the watching parents vocal chords warmed up.
Cairns again had a fine game at hooker, with several balls being won against the head and some solid line out throws into an awkward wind. As the forwards drove the ball on through Jens and Jacob B, Alex picked the ball up from the back of the ruck and dived over to score with Chris converting well into the wind.

Holts spirited attack found space on the left and they worked the ball well to see their large centre take on Kieran at pace, but his tackle was solid and with Woody and Jake there quickly to support, the move broke down. Holt came back strongly and used their number 8 to work their way into the Southwold 22, only to be halted by some strong tackling from Connor and Jacob. A neat kick over the Southwold defence saw the bouncing ball going unclaimed, and the Holt player did well to collect the ball and use his strength to go over the line for an unconverted try.

There was no doubting the Southwold back rows ability to carry the ball and link well with each other, and the next try was this teamwork personified. A pick up from Alex at the base of the scrum was beautifully off loaded to Jake in support. His strength took him forward and with the pack supporting him, they drove the ball and set up a fine ruck. Chris then used the ball well, and passes through the backs of Callum, Jacob and Connor allowed the latter to set Darius off to attack the line. His spinning run and power through the tackles then took him over the line for a superb team try (this is what rugby is about). Chris was unlucky with the conversion as it dropped just short of the posts.

Holt were still battling hard and as they attacked the Wold left flank, their wing was held up by Cairns and Jacob E. With Connor in support, he ripped the ball from the Holt player and sped unchallenged to score a fine try. Southwold seemed to dominate possession but again some decisions with the ball in hand backfired as the team tried to kick through the defence against a very strong wind, resulting in losing possession. Callum made a fine darting run with the ball, supported well by Michiel and Woody. Driving over at the resulting ruck allowed Chris to feed Jake and again he crossed the advantage line. Quick ball allowed the wing to attack but Holt were solid in their coverage. A worrying injury to Ellis saw the game halted as first aiders attended until the paramedics arrived, resulting in the game moving across to the vacant adjoining pitch. All the coaches, players and parents wish Ellis a speedy recovery. Zak then entered as replacement with Woody now trying the second row as a player.

After some solid defending by Wold, they were penalised harshly and from this penalty the Holt forward came at pace from 10 yards out and avoided Zaks tackle to then power through some somewhat sloppy defending to score a converted try and see the half time score at 17-12.

Second half saw Mark coming on for Blondie on the right wing and the boys using the wind to their advantage both with possession and field position. The forwards were again solid in the scrum, and quick in the loose to secure the ball. Michiel made a fine charge down the pitch, with nice off loads to Jacob B and Jake in the process. Callum’s choice of when and where to kick was first class, but the kick is only as good as the chase. The next score typified this as Callum used the wind at his back to fire the ball downfield. Darius and Connor chased well and the Holt player could only touch down for a 22. Their fly half went for the quick kick but only found his kick hitting the well positioned Darius to go out for a line out. Jens then stole this line out and with Chris again spinning the ball out to Callum, Wold had pace to use. Connor then arched his run and went round the covering players to score in the corner. Another fine all round team try.

Kick of the match then occurred when a penalty just outside the Wold 22 was taken by Chris. He must have thought the wind had died down as he connected, with the ball seeming to ahead towards the town centre!! Result: attacking scrum where he kicked it.

As the game reached a stalemate in the middle of the park, neither team looked likely to score or concede. Both teams were battling well with some strong tackling from Jake, Jacob E, Zak and Kieran. Then Southwold’s 5th try came after more good work from the forwards to secure possession and allow the backs to use the ball. Connor’s lovely kick downfield was chased well by both himself and Darius, but it was the latter that dived on the ball to score with Chris again converting from the tight angle. Blondie returned to the wing and Southwold battled out the final minutes to secure a win against a fine Holt team.

As has been said time and time again, it is the forwards that win the game but it is the backs that determine by how many points. The U15’s are blessed with some quality and gifted players. The backs with pace, flair and ability to score when given the opportunity. That is not to say the forwards are not as important: they are. Their ability to create turnover ball, clean possession and hit their tackles is what allows those ‘fancy boys’ in the backs to play their game. Without you, they don’t get the chances. But if they are not given the ball, then we all know what will happen. It is a team game, and it must be remembered by you all that this is what wins games.

Man of Match : Connor
Iron Man : Jacob Brooks
Idiot of Day : Chris Jackson