Woodbridge Warriors smash Thurston Rangers to secure first win of the season
Match Report: Eastern Counties 1 league match - Saturday 29 September 2012
Thurston Rangers 8 v Woodbridge Warriors 39
Woodbridge, looking for their first win this season, started under pressure from Thurston’s fast chasing pack. Allen missed a penalty and play stayed in the visitors end until the Warriors started to gain traction and, marshalled by Bruce at scrum half, won forward possession for backs Sanday, Yorke and Biu to run the ball. Thurston were forced to kick away possession and, although neither side dominated any area of the game, they kept up the majority of the attacks especially through Scott at centre who had several piercing sprints into the Warrior’s defence. Tempers frayed as both side were frustrated until, against the run of play, Woodbridge broke from a scrum and passed quickly through their three-quarters for Bruce to score. The aerial battle continued and Thurston started to use their signature maul, gaining 10m a time with Proctor pumping hard and, from a ruck, their back row turned ball over well, popped the ball quickly to Mould who scored. 8-7 at half time.
Woodbridge started the second half on fire, within four minutes Smith had stopped another Scott charge, Biu had fumbled a try in the goal area and Garnham scored wide on the left for Smith to convert. The Warriors fought for territory, running harder, defending reliably, hitting rucks and mauls with calculated purpose to end up camping on the Thurston 22 and winning a penalty for Smith to kick three points. Thurston reacted with a raised work-rate but Garnham lead another drive on the left and although he was stopped short Cope drove over to score. The floodgate stayed open and, with the wind behind them, Woodbridge kicked to good effect, often holding possession on the charge and harvesting counter kicks to good effect. Stealing the ball from another Thurston maul, Hannon started a move which Bruce developed to get his pack behind Cope who scored again, this time under the posts. Yorke restarted hard combining with his fellow backs to feed Biu who wriggled through some weak tackles to score and give Smith his sixth successful kick of seven. Thurston attacked in the closing minutes but Woodbridge resisted to gain a convincing first win of the season.
Thurston Rangers 8 Woodbridge Warriors 39
Media contacts
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Woodbridge Rugby Union Football Club, Hatchley Barn, Orford Road, Bromeswell, Suffolk, IP12 2PP.
