South Woodham Ferrers 27 - Upminster 24
NOV
On a bright, but bitterly cold day, Woodham's 1st XV travelled to
Upminster for an Essex cup game. SWF started the brighter and
opened the scoring by winger Duggan after 6mins. Upminster came
straight back and playing up the slope and into the biting wind made
good ground. Upminster levelled the score by their strong centre who
crashed through the middle with some meek tackling. Brown regained
the lead from a penalty which was short lived as the home team converted
two long range penalties. SWF "lack-luster" performance was further compounded
when the home team's powerfull no8 bulldozed his way over for a try. 8-16.
Promising young prop Neil Gittos was replaced due to a back problem by stalwart
Marc Jiggins. With the absence of captain Mclellan and some other regulars,
the veteran prop took control. From a good platform in midfield Brown's kick
found Lee Guess who gathered the bouncing ball to score. The conversion
was just short. On the stroke of half time Upminster converted another penalty
to make the half time score 13 - 19. Playing into the elements, SWF began the
second half with more purpose. Scrum half Murray organised his forwards and
with good direction got them driving forward making inroads up the slope into
the home team's 22. A good recycled ball found Marc Jiggins 5 metres out and his
long arm managed to touch down for a try. Brown converted 20 -19. Woodham
had to reshuffle their pack with the loss of flanker Marshall. Eighteen year old
Murphy went to hooker and looked every bit the part. From a solid midfield
scrum Woodham executed a good move where no8 Bull passed wide to Brown
he in turn found Williams inside who then linked with Dave Bull to score. Brown
converted 27-19. Upminster rallied and from a quick tap penalty in their own
half moved the ball excellently through their back line to score out wide. The
conversion was missed. Final score 27-24.
Although the score suggests that this was a good game, it was evident that
both team's lacked any zeal or desire. SWF need to return to the intensity they had
the previous week for the league game away at Beccles.
