Jan 28 - M2 Lakenham Hewett (A)

L  44 - 10 Report & pictures attached

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Upbeat after a solid performance last week Wym 3’s travelled across to Swardeston to face a side not played for several seasons in Lakenham Hewitt, who the RFU in their wisdom had dropped to merit league 2 in the off season re-shuffles.   The weather was great for running rugby and that very much played into the hands of the home team who fielded a ¾ line full of pace and keen to show off what regular training week after week can do for you.

Game kicked off and within 5minutes the LH centres ran in a try under the posts, it would be the first of many in the afternoon with LH backs confident to run from deep to give themselves space to create angles & overlaps against the usually tight Wym ¾ line defence.   Frustrations within the Wym side grew and uncharacteristically fingers began being pointed at one another, and somewhat characteristically, verbal’s were directed towards the ref.   When you’re on the back foot already you don’t need to be gifting easy yards but for the opening 20minutes or so Wym allowed LH and easy ride and they were soon 2 tries and a penalty conversion to the good.  Injuries saw enforced changes to Wymondham and opportunity to take a few deep breaths and rally together as a team.  Taking the fight upfront it became clear that when not given time to organise the LH defence was actually very sloppy at breakdowns and series of pick and drives/quick feeds to crash runners in the tight channel saw the match tide turn and Wym enjoy a period in the LH half.  A sequence of scrums saw LH front row unable to take the pressure & pop up, on the 3^rd occasion the ref penalised the home side and as LH turned to walk back the Wym scrum half tapped and ghosted past them to touch down on the line for the red and blacks opening score. 

Hopeful now of making a contest of the match Wym were keen to retain control of the match tempo and stifle quality ball reaching the LH 10.  Of course the LH coach realized that upfront they were under the screw and dictated to his players to get the ball wide as quickly as possible.  As half time approached a loose kick and some frankly woeful attempts at tackling saw LH score the try which arguably killed off Wym fight back and the game in general.  LH didn’t really need further emphasis that keeping it open/loose was the way to take the spoils and Wym really need to have scored again to close the gap before half time.

The second half was close to a mirror image of the first, Wym when able to keep it tight and intense made good yards, when LH spun it open the mazy running of their ¾ line gained valuable ground and often threatened.   Again Wym scored after an period of hard phases, the ragged LH line had to infringe unable to deal with the intensity, Gav Ardrie was quick to react with a tap and go driving through the retreating defenders for a classic forwards try, it was however no more than a consolation score.   The sole issue with effective rugby Wym needed to employ to make a game of it was an intense/physical game is very draining and lads that don’t train end up needing a breather, especially if inbetween good passages they are chasing fleet of foot opposition.   The extra conditioning for the First team saw LH keep a grasp on the game and in the closing moments run in 3 tries (2 under the posts) to massage their score up with the ref recording the final score 44-10 (however I do think he missed a converted try from their tally)

Wymondham travel to Thetford next week and cannot afford to take the bad aspects from this week into that game. There no need for a huge autopsy I feel, we all know where we went wrong individually and as a collective, proof of character will be putting git behind us and getting back to doing things

Right.

Next match: Thetford (a)

Pictures by Kerry on Facebook CLICK HERE

Reply to John as soon as you can please gentlemen, injuries (couple long term ones) going to make his job even harder incoming weeks