Southwold were missing nine players, six of them injured, but great recent work in building the squad meant that we still put out a full side against a strong, well-drilled Crusaders team from Norwich. Several players were out of position for a game that was much tougher test than our recent opponents. In testing conditions, the wind had the posts swaying and spectators struggling to stay upright.
Crusaders opened with a breakaway try shortly after kick off, but Southwold hit back quickly when Cooper finished off several phases of great work from the forwards. Crusaders were good at recycling the ball throughout the game and after a period of good play pulled ahead to 1-4. It was then Southwold’s turn to have a strong game, started when Patrick scored a length-of-the-field try from his own kick, with Taigh chasing hard to force a defensive handling error. Cooper went over wide out after a strong spell of running and recycling to make it 3-4.
Theo put in some big tackles on Crusaders’ powerful runners, Rueben made good ground and a vital last-ditch tackle on their biggest carrier and Taigh broke away twice to keep Southwold within one try at 5-6. As legs tired, Crusaders’ width and strong carrying told, and they pulled away to 5-10. Patrick replied with a break from the base of the scrum, but Crusaders struck straight back from the kick-off. After Brad was stopped just short after a great run, player of the match Charlie Aldous finished from the scrum that followed to make the final score 7-11
There was plenty to be proud of. We attacked the ball well, offloaded off the floor brilliantly, tackled sharply as individuals and arguably had the upper hand at scrum time. To work on: confidence and urgency in the tackle, and contesting the rucks harder. Doing that would have made this a very different game.
A huge well done to everyone, especially those who played out of position. Every player had a crucial role today.