Woodbridge Warriors stand up to superior Ipswich side in pre-season friendly
Woodbridge Warriors 21 vs Ipswich 63
Ipswich arrived at this pre-season friendly with a simple game plan; use two main runners, their 8 and 13 (20 shirt) to crash it up against the Warriors 10/12 and 12/13 channels. Woodbridge, playing a side two leagues ahead of them, relished the challenge. Despite being out-pushed and out-jumped for most of the game the hosts delighted their noisy fans by improving steadily throughout the three 30 minute periods. Tries in the first period all went to Ipswich with their big No 8, Blom, scoring twice, Uzokwe and James exploiting quick ball from contact where they had the strength to stay on their feet and offload to two, usually unmarked, options coming from deep and with pace.
Woodbridge was clearly playing a stronger, faster and better drilled side and appeared too respectful of this to start with. They were vocal at times but often quiet during play. After an early Ipswich try from Uzokwe the second period saw an improvement in Woodbridge possession, tackling and teamwork, Ipswich clearly substituted to run in some new players and Woodbridge exploited this for Garnham to drive over and score a converted try. Ipswich rallied quickly however continuing to draw too many Warriors into defending rucks and then using their width to run around the wings, Phelps joining the try scorers as well as the Ipswich hooker.
The final 30 minutes saw fewer penalties and two further tries from Woodbridge by Johnstone and Taylor, both also converted. Ipswich bought back a number of players from the bench and increased their try tally to eleven. Woodbridge will have taken away valuable lessons from this good natured pre-season skirmish and will benefit from the superior opposition.
Woodbridge Warriors 21: Ipswich 63
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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.
