Jan 21 - M2 Norwich 3 (H)
W 48-0 Report & pictures attached
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More pictures CLICK HERE and also CLICK HERE for even more
Wymondham 3rds first home game of 2012 was against the often “bogey” team of Norwich, always a competitive match the side from across the other side of the City mixes up a blend of youth and wise old ‘uns to good effect season after season. Both teams had depth/strength on the bench and mutually agreed to allow for full use so players would all get a fair amount of time on the park. With the wind whipping across the field, from left to right with the club house at your back, conditions were not favourable for an open/flowing game.
Following on from last week the Wym players were keen to put right the 2 facets of the game that had majorly contributed to the defeat, cheap penalties/back chat to the ref and lack of communication between one another. As the game evolved it was clear the pre-match instructions had been adsorbed as Norwich were awarded only 2 or 3 what I would say were “silly” penalties, meaning they had to work hard for any yards they gained. The increased talk among Wym team mates allowed for a fluid performance as the ball was kept alive and well supported. The fast flowing rugby was also aided by the flexible nature of the ¾ line, throughout the 80 minutes with Billy, Midgley, Yeates, Rod, Rupert and Lee being comfortable enough interchange positions and be first receiver from a breakdown Wymondham could split the open & blind and carry credible threats both sides. Norwich found this hard to counter, credit to them for their tackle count in the game, but when Wym continually changed the point of attack cracks were inevitable and the scoreboard kept ticking over. Ultimately Wymondham went onto score 8 tries all told, 4 conversions, the backs taking the lion share bagging 5 touchdowns. Quick description of each score as follows;
John Lake crowned a difficult week with the opening score, Wym caught and drove a lineout on their left, worked 2 tight phases before releasing quick ball moving forward to the back. The centres unselfishly let the ball go through the hands to leave John with a 1 on 1, a quick dip of the shoulder and a turn on of pace and Mr Lake was grounding the ball after 5minutes of play
Still on the front foot following a strong carry by Matty Brighton from the kick off (who I think I am right to say fielded all but 1 re-start and carried them all to good gains & clean 1st phase) The Wym forwards marched the ball into the Norwich 22 before forcing them to infringe. The dominance at the scrums lead to Wym taking a scrum option, from this platform the stage was set for Jez to take the ball on and over the line for the second score of the match
Injury to Morfoot’s shoulder saw the more than capable Liam take the field and he was soon into the action chasing down a loose tap from a Norwich lineout and harrying the scrumhalf into a rushed/poor pass. The pressure rippled down the Norwich ¾ line and Wym forced Norwich to drop the ball and Midgely hacked through, Eric at outside centre read the bounce of the ball best as it bobbled over the line and gounded the ball before Norwich could react
Final score of the first half again came from a solid scrum, phases were worked and Norwich’s line was stretched to allow for Dave Sillet to bullock over from 5 yards out. It was a deserved try by one of the tight 5 all of who had done the basics very well in the opening 40minutes and anyone who know’s rugby will tell you a solid tight 5 is the basis of good rugby (especially props, hookers & 2nd rowers)
The second half saw Norwich rally, the score line belied the effort they had put in, Wym solid tackling had denied them scoring but they were making it a contest and from the restart they had a sustained period of pressure in Wym half. Unfortunately for Norwich Rich Divey forced a turnover from some great counter rucking, the ball was well cleared down field and Wym were again on the attack. With the try line beckoning Wym forwards rolled a maul over the line but were held up by stout Norwich tacklers. Still pumped up the Wym pack attacked the 5 metre scrum and it looked likely Jez would have the simple job of touching down over the line but the backs were screaming for the ball and so it was released, Yeates ran straight to draw two tacklers before unloading to Lee who stepped his man and drew in the winger before releasing a perfectly timed pass to Rod running into the line from fullback to canter in behind the post unopposed for arguably the try of the day.
Wym would then score 2 tries in quick succession, again Norwich were on the attack but the rush defense by Rupert Wilson saw his opposite number drop the ball, using his football skills on the sticky pitch Wilson dribbled the ball on for a good 60metres before winning the race to the line and the touch down. The re-start was taken back into Norwich territory, with young Conner Ardrie showing his dad what pace really is, he kept the ball alive, Lee having a storming match in the centres was on hand again to be the link that drew tacklers and put the try scorer, Gus Frarey, into open space and a 20yard run across the line.
With the game coming to a close the forwards were keen to get one more score, following another period of stout goal line defending Wym Chris Parker was on the shoulder of his fellow prop Dave Sillet to take the short pass and carry the last ditch tackler over the line with him for the score
Wymondham need to take not just the rugby performance but the discipline into the next match, Lakenham (A)
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