WOODFORD-19 v ETON MANOR-7

A very hard fought and scrappy game against our local rivals the Manor, which eventually saw the Woods triumph to continue our undefeated start in the league campaign this season.

It all started very brightly for our opponents as they ran a lovely sweeping try in from wide flank, eventually depositing the ball under the posts, the try was duely converted and we looked worrying at a 7-0 reverse scoreline.

The lads responded almost immediately with a try of their own as Zion Roache powered down the wing, breaking many a tackle on the way, however with the ball placed in the corner Lewis had his work cut out to convert and indeed it did prove too much of an ask.

The game continued in it's scrappy and flustered manner as the Woods gave away countless penalties, as well as turning over possession time and time again due to handling errors, very uncharacteristic for the boys this season, however due to a continued bout of pressure on the EM try line we eventually broke through again with Rory Chick doubling our try score, this time grounding the ball in a more kickable position for Lewis who calmly took the opportunity to take the score to 12-7 at half time.

Second half pretty much continued in the same vain as the first, we had lots of ball in this half and for the first 15 mins put Eton Manor under lots of pressure but they held resolute and in fact came right back into the game and turned it completely on it's head, they were suddenly the team piling on the pressure. Woodford spent long periods guarding our line as Manor looked to score over and over, again many more penalties and handling errors from the boys as panic seemed to be setting in and instead of playing the calm game we have been used to recently we started to rush all our moves.

However unlike past times when we would have conceeded in these moments of pressure this time the boys dug deep, they rebuffed all the mounting attacks and indeed turned the game once more, as we then camped in the Eton Manor 5 meter line, forcing 5 scrums, three held up calls from the ref as we tried to break their try line. Eventually after totally changing our tactics the ball went out wide, there were two dummy runners which left Lewis Walcott free to run the ball in under the posts to score, a try which he got up from to also convert.

19-7, and only 3 minutes left, Eton Manor tried to get the ball moving again but it was too late and the boys held on to take the victory.

A really hard fought victory against the best opponents we have faced this year, a tough game both physically and mentally between the two set of lads, we weren't at our best but that is not to take anything away from the Manor who are a class side, but even with a below par performance from our lads we held out for the victory and apart from conceeding after 3 minutes we did not allow our opponents any more points, a pretty good stat to end with I feel.

So the end of 2018 sees us unbeaten in the League and also in the Essex Cup (drew with Brentwood!), as well as being winners of the Jack Conn Cup at Chingford, we still have a long way to go and cannot afford to be complacent, we have a Cup game against the once mighty Southend in January, as well as League games against Billericay & Harlow who will be tough opponents, so I would like to hope that we get as many boys to training as possible in the New Year.

I know the lads are currently going through their Mock exams, etc but I think it is no coincidence that their were lots of dropped passes, knock-ons, and general handling errors yesterday as many of the lads have missed training due to the exams, without training we will have these issues, we just want the boys to play to their best ability and to have some success as they thoroughly deserve it this year, so we would ask that if possible can they please all attend training wherever possible, it is a hard call I know but a couple of hours on a Tuesday might actually do them good to get away from the books.

Anyway last words, wishing you all a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS & A MERRY NEW YEAR from all the coaches, lets keep it going for 2019.

UP THE WOODS!!!!