850 pages

South Woodham Focus
A tale of six halves: Wanderers’ busy
weekend of win, lose and draw
This was to be the most challenging weekend of the season for South
Woodham Ferrers United under 13 Wanderers: three games against two
key contenders for the league title. Two back to back games against
Benfleet Youth Blues looked a tall order as the Blues are through to two
cup finals but the first game opened brightly with shots from both sides.
With a damp pitch making passing difficult there was nothing between
the teams in the initial quarter: Jacob delivered a penetrating corner but
Wanderers’ lack of height relative to their loftier opponents snuffed out
the chance, while Luke was alert to snatch away the ball in the box from
a marauding forward. The second quarter looked more promising as
Will’s dynamic free kick on the edge of the box whipped in with a faint
touch from Freddie to put Wanderers ahead. Blues pushed hard
throughout the quarter but although they tested the keeper he was
equal to anything they tried and Wanderers were jubilant to complete
the first game with a deserved if unlikely-looking win.
Game two opened with even more promise as occasional forward Harry
converted Jacob’s slick pass to put Wanderers in front from the outset.
Blues dug deep and went for an all-out attack, quickly drawing level as
the powerful striker muscled his way through, but energy and good
footwork from Matthew prevented further dramas. However holding on
to the game for a fourth quarter proved too much for the boys in red as
Blues capitalised on carefully-worked passing to skid the ball into the
back of the net off the greasy surface. Harry and Freddie had chances to
steal the game but Blues continued to pile on the pressure. Conscientious
Will could have scored from a free kick which was headed off the line,
then finished by powering back to clear a dangerous ball from the box.
Four halves down: a win and a loss looked like an illustrious result, but
would the boys have enough energy against table-topping opponents
24 hours later?
Ominously, it appeared not as Leigh Ramblers Youth Blacks were one up
from the first attack of the game. The potent number 9 should have put
them further ahead, but regular stand in keeper Charlie R saved with his
feet, followed by a repeat performance from a free kick. For much of
the first half Wanderers had little time on the ball, with Ramblers
demonstrating why they are flying high with effective organisation and
pinpoint passing. However Wanderers’ defenders relished the workout:
Matthew, Daniel and Luke had plenty of chance to rehearse their
blocking moves and in midfield, Tom H, Tom F, Alfie, Will, Freddie and
Charlie W needed to draw on their reserves of energy to help out at the
back and attempt to move the ball forwards. Jacob’s thoughtful pass
gave Matthew a chance while Daniel delivered several promising balls
forwards. When Will’s free kick skimmed the bar, it was Wanderers’
opening shot for half an hour, but this chance seemed to invigorate the
boys in red: from Tom H’s resulting corner, diminutive Tom F popped up
amongst a crowd of giant defenders to head the ball home for
Wanderers’ equaliser. Revitalised, an amazing team passing sequence
culminated in Luke converting another zipping Tom H corner to put the
reds ahead at half time.
The final half of an industrious weekend saw Tom H’s free kick headed
over the bar before Freddie put on an exhibition of dribbling to gift
Jacob Wanderers’ third goal. It seemed almost too good to be true, as
indeed it was: Ramblers stormed straight off to score from the restart.
Could Wanderers hold on for an historic win? Would Daniel scupper their
chances with another own goal? Would the referee award a penalty
after Tom F appeared to have been taken down by the keeper when he
looked certain to score? After a long period of relentless Wanderers’
possession and further pressure, their weekend’s footballing exploits
proved five minutes too long as Ramblers finally broke through the
previously fortress-like defence to equalise. Will’s injury time free kick
forced a corner, but in the last-gasp scramble, there was no red foot
strategically placed to sneak the ball over the line. All in all, a much
better outcome than looked likely at the start of the weekend, with
Wanderers’ determination and splendid team spirit shining through to
test the teams at the top to their limit.
Weekend participants: Alfie, Charlie R, Charlie W, Daniel, Freddie, Harry,
Jacob, Luke, Mack, Matthew, Sam, Tom F, Tom H, Will
Roundup from SWF RUFC
This week’s match report from
the last game of the season.
SWF U14’s 36 v 7 Ongar U14’s
This week the U14’s hosted Ongar for their last league game of the
season and the last game of the season at Saltcoats Park. The weather
was a far cry from the summer like temperatures of last weekend. The
visitors arrived with 14 players, and Woodham loaned them a forward
for both halves to make up the numbers.
Woodham won the toss and elected to receive the kick off. Both teams
started well, but Woodham seemed to unnerve the visitors with some
quick intensive attack, locking them down whenever they had the ball.
Woodham were also quick off the mark from the breakdown stopping
the visitors shipping the ball out wide to try and come round the outside
of the Woodham defensive line.
Woodham scrum was also firing well again this week following some
warm up on the sledge ahead of the game. Woodham were putting
together some nice phases of play and after 9 minutes opened the
scoring through Gerrard who drove his way over the visitor’s line. The
conversion good Woodham had started well 7 – 0.
Ongar kicked off and were quickly up on the home side and applying
pressure. Woodham pushed the visitors back before having the ball
turned over. Ongar attacked again, but struggled with the line speed
from Woodham. They broke free for what looked like a decisive attack
but Ox read the play well to intercept a pass out to the wing to run
through and drag 2 Ongar tacklers over the line with him on 15 minutes.
Again the Try was good and Woodham were taking a commanding lead
14 – 0.
Play continued with the visitors being pinged for offside at the break
down. Ox attempted a Penalty Goal but came up short. Play continued,
however neither side were able to push through the opposition defence
to secure further points, until Harrison drove through the centre of the
Ongar defence to drive over for Woodham’s 3rd of the half. The
conversion this time not made, Woodham were 19 – 0 up with 2 minutes
to go. No further points were to come at half time.
Woodham kicked off the 2nd half and applied more pressure to the
Ongar defence. Bullet, back from injury after 7 weeks, received the ball
out on the wing and drop home to score after 28 minutes, shaking off
the covering tackle. The angle beating Ox this time on the conversion
the score now 24 -0.
Ongar started to push back at the Woodham defence, probing for a way
through. And after several phases of play from one side of the pitch to
the other they managed to break the Woodham defence and cross for
their first try of the game. With the conversion the score was now 24 –
7 after 32 minutes.
Woodham restarted and applied the pressure again. The pack still
working well and the line speed still interfering with the Ongar attack
more points came from Gerrard and again from Bullet, both securing
their brace in the game. Only 1 conversion made the final score was 36
– 7 to Woodham.
A great morning of rugby and great to finish the season with a win, all
the boys played their hearts out and gave everything. It’s great to see
how far the boys have come this season and stepped up their game after
going up a league. Presentation event is currently being planned, then
a break for 6 weeks at which point we will start up touch rugby again
before looking to formal preseason training ready for September.
If your currently in year 9 moving to year 10 in September and want to
give rugby a try, then get in contact with Head Coach Paul Neal on 01245
226787 or visit our website
http://www.southwoodhamferrersrugby.co.uk/ for more details.
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SOUTH WOODHAM
FOCUS
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