Southwold were welcomed by sunshine in North Walsham on Saturday as the Women of the Wold took on UEA Valkyries in an entertaining double header, with Southwold Men’s 1XV also facing the hosts. Coming off a strong run of results—but with a long Christmas break (and a few extra pigs in blankets) behind them—Southwold were keen to start 2026 positively, despite travelling with a depleted squad.

The opening 20 minutes were fiercely contested and scoreless, with both sides trading possession and testing each other’s resolve. North Walsham showed clear improvement from their visit to the Common earlier in the season, putting Southwold under pressure with quick, well-organised defence that forced a number of handling errors. A stop-start first half with plenty of scrums allowed Southwold’s pack to settle and gain a foothold in the contest.

In possession, Southwold looked dangerous throughout, with Poppy (available to sponsor) and Elyse (sponsored by Road Runners Taxi) combining confidently in the centres. Strong defensive work kept the hosts pinned inside their own 22, and following a turnover and attacking scrum, Southwold struck first. A dominant shove and slick hands out wide sent Charlotte (available to sponsor) over under the posts for her first try of the afternoon, converted by Elyse.

Southwold continued positively from the restart, with Charlotte again breaking down the wing before being halted just short. The forwards were quick to support, and it was Josie (sponsored by Bespoke Scaffolding) who powered over in the corner for Southwold’s second try. Unconverted, the score stood at 0–12. The game remained evenly balanced, and just before half-time North Walsham’s sustained pressure was rewarded as they crossed for their first score, heading into the break trailing 5–12.

The hosts came out strongly in the second half, retaining possession and working Southwold across the park before breaking through for a converted try under the posts to level the scores at 12–12. Southwold responded in determined fashion, forcing turnovers and penalties before the forwards made valuable ground. The backs then showed real flair, with Emma (sponsored by PVS Plumbing) linking superbly with Poppy, who crossed the line to restore Southwold’s lead. Elyse once again added the conversion to make it 12–19.

North Walsham, showing impressive structure and resilience, refused to relent. After drawing in the forwards through a series of scrums and lineouts, they found space out wide to score and level the match once more. Southwold dug deep, and from a scrum in their own half the backs broke free, with Charlotte racing from halfway, evading several tackles to claim her second try of the day. Elyse’s third conversion pushed Southwold ahead 19–26.

With injuries mounting and only one replacement available, the physical demands of the second half began to tell. North Walsham capitalised late on with a break from halfway, crossing under the posts and adding the conversion to bring the scores level once again. A final penalty gave Southwold a last opportunity to snatch the win, but it was not to be, and the match ended honours even—an outcome that fairly reflected a hard-fought contest against a much-improved North Walsham side.

Final score: North Walsham Valkyries 26 – 26 Southwold Women

Forward of the Match: Chelsea (available to sponsor) – carrying hard in attack and tackling bravely in defence. In her first ever season of rugby, she’s well and truly found her sport.


Back of the Match: Elyse (sponsored by Road Runners Taxi) – for her playmaking in the centres, tireless defensive work, and faultless accuracy from the tee.

A huge thank you to North Walsham for a competitive, sporting encounter played in the true spirit of the game. This was the second double-header between our clubs this season, and while the Men’s 1XV were edged out by the hosts on Saturday, both occasions have been positive celebrations of everything rugby should be about—competitive, inclusive, and community-focused.