Exciting victory for Woodbridge Warriors against Ely
Match Report: Eastern Counties 1 league match, Saturday 27 October 2012
Woodbridge Warriors 28 v Ely 13
Woodbridge started the match looking sharp, fresh from their victory at W Norfolk last week. They attacked top-of-the-table Ely on the wing Jones running before Cooke recycled and Barton scored.
Ely reacted strongly, occupying the Warrior’s 22 and forcing some hard defensive rucking from Hannon, Digweed and Cope who forced a penalty and clearance. From the line out Woodbridge had two try attempts held up and a penalty for Smith to take 3 points. Straight back to the Ely 22, the Woodbridge forwards drove with real commitment and Cooke burst over to put the home team 13 points up.
Ely threatened with some great moves from set pieces, their big scrum-half, Benzie, providing some clean ball for Coupland and Dibb to run some creative lines, their left wing often splitting their 9 and 10. Woodbridge’s centres especially Yorke covered tirelessly in response. The game stayed fairly central with both sides struggling for scrum and line-out consistency before Woodbridge re-occupied the Ely try line but were held out again with Coulson defending vigourously. Ely then attacked on the right with first a kick to dead ball and then moving the ball fast from side to side for Coulson to score wide before half time.
Woodbridge conceded a penalty for Benzie to kick 3 points only to turn the tables with a good run from Biu who won a penalty for Smith to take the points back. Woodbridge forwards then gained the upper hand, Cooke charging from a scrum to halfway and Bruce kicking for more territory and despite pressure from Benzie and the Ely backs, Biu charged (again) centrally, kicked left for Lloyd who was bundled out. The ball was stolen from the poor Ely lineout, passed quickly wide for Smith to score.
Woodbridge attacked again, their forwards securing more ball for their runners who ignored a sudden hail storm to cause their visitors to defend deep, kick to clear and slowly regain territory before a loose ball was taken by Bruce in space who ran through a confused defence, waiting for a whistle, to score unchallenged.
A frustrated Ely snapped back on the left wing which, despite some hard tackling, was rewarded with a try from Cornwall but too late to challenge the 15 point gap in this exciting and, for Woodbridge, encouraging match.
Woodbridge Warriors 28 v Ely 13
Media contacts
For further information please WRUFC contacts; Simon Ballard on 07766 136554,pressofficer@woodbridgerugby.net
Woodbridge Rugby Union Football Club, Hatchley Barn, Orford Road, Bromeswell, Suffolk, IP12 2PP.
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