South Woodham 1s host Old Habersashers

and make club history

Coach Tony Woods and captain Warren Duggan were delighted yesterday as Woodham were rewarded with a gutsy win in London 1 North; beating Old Haberdashers 21 to 11. The result makes club history as the first win, at the highest level that any of the clubs teams have ever played at and will no doubt become a legend in the years to come.

The game started brightly for the home side with plenty of early pressure rewarded with two difficult penalties which were sadly missed. Indeed it was the Old Haberdashers who opened the scoring with a penalty in front of the posts as they began to get into the game. Further pressure from the away team led to a try which they failed to convert. So despite seemingly being in the ascendancy Woodham found themselves 8 nil down.

Woodham hit back with some more dominant play from the forwards and Tani Loka pounded over the whitewash for the homes sides opening score. On a strangely poor day for the kickers on both sides, the conversion was missed. Half time came with the scoreboard looking tight at 5 - 8 but with the home side frustrated that they couldn’t convert their ever increasing dominance into more points.

Some strong words from Coach Woods at halftime seemed to have the right effect on the lads who came out with much more intensity in the second half. Almost immediately from the kick off Woodham were deep in the Haberdashers half, winning a penalty to bring the scores level.
Haberdashers countered with some neat play of their own but the Woodham defence held strong. Some ill discipline at the breakdown led to a penalty for the away team but they failed to convert.

Woodham finally drew clear as the self belief that carried them through last season seemed to return with some fine attacking play from forwards and back. First a penalty from Jamie Cox and then a converted try from Liam Searles were the justified reward for a period of Woodham dominance. The Haberdashers defence and some missed opportunities pegged back the scoring but for the supporters it seemed like the game was in the bag.

The sides traded penalties in the closing minutes of the game to bring the score to 21 – 11 at full time.
A strong performance all round for the home side with a special mention for debutant Sevi Hurrell and stand in fly half Jamie Cox who both gave a good account of themselves. No doubt the celebrations went long into the night but it was a well deserved win and one that will give them confidence for the journey to Letchworth next week.

David Baker