Jan 22 - Cup QF N Walsham (A)

W 52 - 0 Report Attached

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Match Report - North Walsham v Wymondham               Final Score  0 - 52

On a blustery, showery, but warm day in January that felt more like a day in March,  Wymondham made the short journey to North Walsham for the Quarter Final of the Norfolk Cup. Having played North Walsham earlier in the season, we were expecting an easy match, bu Cup matches can change oppositions, and this was the case today.

From the first kick, the Walsham pack were fired up and were winning ruck after ruck, pushing us off not only the ball they were taking in, but also the ball we were taking in. Walsham were slowly making their way into our 22, just as we thought our worst fears were coming to fruition, the Wymondham pack won a ruck ball. Will Findlay set loose the backs and with some good ball handling, a hand off, and some strong running, Owen Sharpe went over for the first try.

From the kick off, the Walsham pack were back, pressuring the Wymondham pack slowly back towards their own line, getting over at 1 point but being held up. The Wymondham pack again won the ball and set the backs off again, this time allowing Dom Smith to score.

The next tries were more of the same, scored through good hands and support play, putting Lewis Jennings over for the next 2 tries.    

The Wymondham pack were starting to show some spirit at this point and were starting to win some ruck ball, 1 of which from a good take at the kick off by Dan Bainbridge saw a ruck win and then the ball fed through the back line to again put Lewis Jennings over for a third try, for which he still needs to buy a jug!

The 6th try saw Joe Milligan breaking through the Walsham line to score under the posts.

By this time the Wymondham backs were beginning to experiment and during one such moment, Joe Milligan put though a high ball just in front of the Walsham posts, their full back fumbled, allowing Owen Sharpe following through to pick up and dive over for the last try of the half.

It was at this point that the Walsham pack put the most pressure on the Wymondham line, Wymondham were camped on their own line for 5 minutes, their pack tackling and holding the ball up like men possessed, Walsham crossed the line on 2 occasions only to have the try disallowed as being held up, the first half ended before they could score.

The half time briefing was about experimenting, but not scoring, with the score at 47-0, we had been told the match would end if we scored again.

The intent was good, but could not be sustained and the final score came from a good cross field kick by Joe Milligan that allowed Casey Hawes to pick up and score in the corner.

A solid defensive performance, and 1 that showed the abilities of our backs to pass and get us out of trouble, and the ability of the pack to defend in numbers.

The learning point has to be solid offensive rucking going low to high, binding and driving together, leaning on just not being enough.

Tries

Casey Hawes              1

Lewis Jennings            3

Joe Milligan                  1

Dominic Smith             1

Owen Sharpe               2

Conversions

Joe Milligan                6

Man of the Match - Lewis Jennings