Match Report: Southwold 39 – 12 Saffron Walden

Southwold signed off their league campaign in style with a deserved 39–12 victory over Saffron Walden on The Common, completing nine wins from their final nine league games and securing a highly creditable 4th place finish in Counties 1.

Playing into a strong breeze in the first half, Wold had to weather early pressure from a determined Saffron Walden side, but once settled they began to impose themselves.

After a series of well-controlled phases, Adam Smith moved the ball sharply from the ruck and Charles Buckley cut through the defence to open the scoring at 5–0. Southwold built momentum and extended their lead through sustained forward pressure, with Harvey Fuller finishing from close range after a series of pick-and-go drives to make it 12–0.

To their credit, Saffron Walden responded well, using a lineout maul to create space on the wing and reduce the deficit to 12–5.

Southwold answered before the break with a superb piece of skill from fullback Mike Barron, who grubbered ahead, won the race to the bouncing ball and finished brilliantly in the corner to send Wold into half-time 17–5 ahead.

With the wind now at their backs, Southwold’s set-piece began to dominate. Scrum pressure laid the platform for Barron to strike again early in the second half, cutting through to score in the corner and extend the lead to 22–5.

One of the tries of the afternoon followed soon after, as a flowing move down the left involving excellent interplay between Barron and Callum Hurn ended with the scoring pass sending top try scorer Tom Keeble over in the corner for 29–5.

Wold continued to attack with ambition and another midfield break from Buckley created the next score. Linking with Ed Fuller before supporting the return pass, Buckley followed play superbly to claim his second try and take the score to 36–5.

With injuries mounting late in the game and time winding down, Southwold took the points from a penalty in front of the posts, Buckley adding the kick to make it 39–5.

Saffron Walden had the final word, their player-coach producing a fine individual break to score under the posts, but it did little to take away from a polished Southwold performance and a fitting way to end the league season.

To close the campaign with nine straight wins is a tremendous achievement and a reflection of the character, development and togetherness in this squad.

Credit to Saffron Walden for a competitive and spirited contest played in excellent fashion.

Arn the Wold!