Eastern Counties Cup - round 3

Match report by John Lawrence – Sunday 24th January 2016

Wymondham v Braintree Academy (away) – Won 0-34

Braintree made the long journey into Norfolk to play Wymondham in the next game in the Eastern Counties cup competition. As their main pitch was unplayable the match was switched to one of Wymondham’s secondary pitches at Ayton Road. On an overcast day with little wind and difficult conditions underfoot, Wymondham kicked off, Will Turner secured possession and Jamie Martin cleared. Wymondham won their first scrum but were unable to get out of their half. From the first line-out on the Wymondham 22 Jack Edwards made a fine steal. Several scrums followed, setting the theme for the day where scrummaging was going to be difficult for both sides with the slippery conditions, leading to a penalty to Braintree which was run, Josh Wadforth moved blind to link with Max Power who ran hard for the first try out on the right hand touchline. Josh made a magnificent conversion from out of the mud for a 0-7 lead after 13 minutes.

Will Lawrence collected the kick-off, Josh cleared long. Braintree regained possession but were nearly undone throwing an interception, which Cameron Laudrum snuffed out with a fine tackle. Braintree lost a reset scrum but Max regathered, the ball was recycled quickly and Braintree were held up over the Wymondham line. After a series of scrums Alex Eveleigh made a good break to take Braintree back into the Wymondham half but Braintree then conceded a penalty for side entry. Jack stole the ball from the subsequent line-out, Max came hard blind to open, and after the ball went loose Keelan Joslin made a good break into the Wymondham 22, supported by Cameron Kerr who went over for a try to the right of the posts. Josh was unable to convert out of the mud for a 0-12 lead after 26 minutes.

Braintree won a penalty following a messy restart, Jack won the line-out and the forwards initiated a good driving maul. After some indifferent kicking by both sides Jamie stole the ball after a successful Wymondham scrum, and after several drives George Hume powered over close enough for Josh to convert for 0-19 which was followed shortly by the half-time whistle.

For the second half Michael Lawrence replaced Cameron Laudrum, Jarryd moving to the second row and Jack Edwards to blind side flanker, Rhys Bolton replaced Henry Irving and Dan Smith replaced Keelan. Braintree conceded a penalty for crossing in midfield but the kick did not find touch and Max, Tom Burdge, Jack and Will Turner were all prominent in the move leading to the ball being recycled and Rhys sprinting in for a try out on the far left touchline, making the kick difficult for a 0-24 lead after 2 minutes of the second half.

From the kick-off Tom led a good drive for Josh to kick into the Wymondham 22. Jack again stole their ball at the line-out and the ball was moved quickly down the line unfortunately resulting in a forward pass. Will Turner took the ball against the head at the scrum and as Braintree ran the Wymondham no 12 was hurt and had to leave the field; Wymondham had no replacements.

Jack won another Wymondham line-out, Will Turner made a good break in midfield, Jamie drove, the ball was recycled and came to Alex who went over for a try far out on the left. Josh was only just short with his conversion attempt for 0-29 after 8 minutes of the second half.

Another Wymondham player now departed injured which meant under the regulations Braintree had to withdraw a player, Max being chosen. Wymondham regathered from the kick-off but wasted a chance when their no. 11 kicked over the dead-ball line.

As the sun started to come out Braintree won a couple of scrums and attacked hard, Joe made a break which was recycled and Will Turner showed good strength to charge over from 20 metres out. As Josh had been hurt in the tackle by the no. 12 Cameron Kerr assumed kicking duties, unfortunately not being able to convert so the score was 0-34 after 15 minutes of the second half.

As Wymondham tired and Braintree continued to make replacements the game opened up and started to lose some shape. Cameron Laudrum, Henry, Keelan and Max all came on as Cameron Kerr, Tom, Jarryd and Josh all departed. Both sides now lost their own line-out ball and both sides were penalised for a high tackle. Braintree were keeping Wymondham pinned in their half but relieving the pressure by conceding careless penalties. Despite their position Wymondham never gave up and continued to strive hard. Wymondham won a line-out and Braintree were penalised for offside. The match ended with Wymondham attacking hard in the Braintree 22, a credit to their spirit in adversity (‘cedere nescio’).

Squad: George Hume, Will Turner, Jarryd Fouche, Will Lawrence, Jack Edwards, Cameron Laudrum, Tom Burdge, Cameron Kerr, Jamie Martin, Josh Wadforth (c), Henry Irving, Alex Eveleigh, Joe Meade, Max Power, Keelan Joslin, Michael Lawrence, Rhys Bolton, Dan Smith.

Tea report by Will Lawrence: only a few hardy souls returned to the Wymondham clubhouse for a feast of sausage roll, beans and chips. Jack was disappointed that the various items were not segregated on the plate (fusspot) and Max ‘the connoisseur’ Power was convinced the beans were not from Heinz. As I was able to indulge in seconds and thirds these trivialities do not prevent an award of a very commendable 3 stars.