Match Report: Stowmarket 30 – 15 Southwold

Stowmarket RFC | Saturday | Pouring Rain

Southwold travelled to Stowmarket with a much-changed side to face a big, physical home team in conditions that grew worse as the afternoon wore on. With relentless rain turning the pitch into a heavy, slippery surface, this was never going to be a day for expansive rugby — instead it became a test of control, discipline, and resilience.

Stowmarket struck first through a scrum penalty to take a 3–0 lead, before adding a second penalty to move ahead 6–0. Wold responded well, applying pressure through a series of controlled phases that earned Luke Wade the chance to narrow the gap with a well-struck penalty, making it 6–3.

But the hosts capitalised on the conditions, counter-rucking strongly at the breakdown before scooping up loose ball and scoring from short range, extending their lead to 11–3. Shortly after, Wold were building pressure in the Stowmarket 22 when the ball went loose; two kicks ahead from the home side saw them win the footrace to touch down next to the posts for an 18–3 advantage.

Just before the break, Wold hit back with excellent quick thinking from Charles Buckley, who tapped instantly from a penalty. One sharp phase later, Tom Keeble was over to make it 18–8 at halftime.

The second half saw Stowmarket continue to lean on their size and structure, driving over from a lineout close to the posts for 25–8. But Southwold’s pack found their own dominance at scrum time — earning a penalty scrum five metres out and powering the home side backwards for Jeremy Aitken to dot down from No. 8, bringing the score to 25–15.

Stowmarket added one more try from a scrum, attacking the blindside effectively to finish in the corner and close out the match 30–15.

Despite the loss, this was a committed performance from an injury-affected Wold side who showed real heart in punishing conditions. The travelling support, soaked to the skin but loyal as ever, once again embodied the spirit of our club.

We regroup, recover, and go again together.

?? **Arn the Wold!**