Sudbury Defence hold firm.

Sometimes a low scoring match can be just as exciting as a high scoring game and so it proved this Saturday, but unfortunately Walden come out on the wrong side of a match with only 13 points scored.
On a damp afternoon it was always going to be difficult for both sides despite their attacking intent but it was defence that won the day.
Walden started off brightly and soon were deep into the Sudbury half. After several phases working the ball from left to right and back again a good break by No8 Brad Baker saw him get behind the Sudbury defence, quick ball off the base of the ruck saw flanker Matt Holden dive over the line for the first try. 0 - 5 after 7 mins.
For the next 10 mins the game was played in the centre of the field with no side able to break through.
Then on the 20 min mark Walden gave away couple of penalties allowing the home team to kick towards the corner and set up a driving maul which Walden initially did well to defend. However the referee deemed a Walden player offside and gave a penalty 5 metres out, some quick thinking by Sudbury caught Walden out and they dived over the line to level the scores at 5 each.
Despite a couple of good breaks by centre Adam Miles and fullback Tom Price Walden could not really get close to the Sudbury line and the half time whistle went with both sides still level.
For almost 15 minutes at the start of the second half Walden continually attacked deep into the Sudbury half and on a couple of occasions almost got the ball over the try line, even turning down a penalty in front of the posts to go for a try. Sudbury during this phase of the game were having difficulty in clearing their lines but to their immense credit they showed why they have the meanest defence in the league.
Gradually Walden became more desperate and when finally Sudbury were able to kick long followed by a good kick chase they put pressure on the Walden back three to finally get into the Walden half.
When Walden conceded a penalty with 15 minutes to go Sudbury took their chance to take the lead at 8- 5 which they were able to defend until the end of the game. Rightly jubilant it shows just how much effort they had to put in beat a determined Walden side.
Walden were down hearted that they were unable to prize open the Sudbury defence but a losing bonus point might just be critical at the end of the season.
As Diss lost at Norwich, Walden are still 8 points clear of Sudbury and 9 clear of Diss with 5 more games to play.
Next league action is a home game versus Norwich on the 5th March where the team need all the support they can get for a 3pm kick off.