Nov 05 - M2 Southwold 2 (A)
W 5 -18 report attached
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Making one of the longer journeys across and out of the County Wym 3’s arrived at “sunny” Southwold to take on the always competitive coastal’s 2nd team. On arrival Southwold explained they were struggling for a front row due to call ups & call off’s, a curse of teams plying trade in the Merit leagues. Credit to Jake & Sillet for putting hands in the air in the first half and Rob for 10minutes in the second half for helping Southwold out and ensuring a competitive match would still be played. I know I often give Marty a written pat on the back for working hard enough to guarantee the Wym 3’s don’t have these match day headaches, it’s when you see opposition skippers still with a mobile phone stuck the their ear at 2pm it really does bring it home, so once again, thanks Marty, never un-notice & always well appreciated
Onto the game Wym received the kick off and while conditions were not too conducive to an open game Wym were quite prepared to put width on the ball through the back and test the Southwold ¾ line early on, breaks by Yeates & Lee in the backs took us comfortably into the Southwold 22. Periods of pressure brought by aggressive pick and drives/crash balls by the forwards forced the Southwold forwards to infringe and Gav knowing the importance of early points pointed to the posts. Billy Duffin obliged. 3-0
From the re-start Wym kept to the same game plan, forwards crash up drawing in the Southwold cover defence before Billy at 10 whipped it wide for more significant gains running with ball in hand. This dominance was also being shown in the scrum where the Southwold 8 was having a torrid time trying to tidy ball off a scrum going backwards, the pressure from the Anema brothers on the flanks closed the pick and drive options and often resulted in turn over ball which the Wym pack were very keen to exploit. Chris Parker, Gav Ardrie & Matty Brighton all drove in and recycled quick ball allowing Billy to take flat and feed the centres running on at pace, Doc on the wing cut back in towards support and another fast ruck saw the ball be popped upto Brighton to crash over after a fantastic set of phases. Conversion missed 8-0
As yet Southwold hadn’t been able to launch their own sustained attack, they kicked the restart long, Wym knocked on and ‘Wold at last had a platform to launch something from. They went wide to test the resolve & shoulders of the Wym backs, a test passed as the tackles flew in and errors forced leading to a Wym counter attack. Back in the 22 and with pressure mounting ‘Wold went off their feet to slow the ball and a penalty was given, Billy shaped to kick for the lineout and as the ‘Wold players made their way over to the touchline he simply tapped and popped to A Anema who ran through the space left for an easy touchdown, try converted 15-0
At this point, about 30mins in, injuries to Southwold’s front row took their toll and the ref had to rule the rest of the match would goto uncontested scrums. This played into Southwold’s advantage as they would finally get some clean ball from this set piece, something they had struggled with. Beyond that, and anyone who plays will testify to this, going uncontested at scrums drops the intensity level of the players not only at the scrum but at the following initial break down. With more quality on the ball being supplied to him the ever green ‘Wold flyhalf grew into the game and started to put his mark on it pushing his side deep into Wym territory with the boot. From a scrum the 8 picked, dummied the unload leaving the covering tacklers flat footed before carry last ditch efforts over with him for the score, conversion missed, 15-5
With not long left in the half Wym rallied and forced further infringements allowing Billy to slot another 3 pointer before rolling his ankle and hobbling off the park to be replaced by the very capable Rod at 10. Half time 18-5. Gav rang other changes to the side at the half, Eric on for John, Armes on for MWJ
The second half played out without score and without major incident to be honest, the uncontested scrums allowed both sides to work from a clean phase of ball to launch attacks but the high competence of the tackling from both teams meant the try line was not crossed. The one area Wymondham will be looking to improve in at the next match will be the lineout where we need have more than one, albeit solid, option so we’re less predictable there.
Make friends with Chris Parker on Facebook to see victorious team post match
Final score: Southwold 2’s 5 – 18 Wymondham 3’s
