by Tony Aldridge
| 2009/10/10 | Welwyn 2009/2010 | 10 | Woodford | 43 |
By Brian Williams
The playing record of a rugby club over the seasons will consist of a series of peaks and troughs. At present Welwyn are in a trough - and, prior to this fixture, conceding points at an average of 63 a game, the trough is a deep one. Two seasons ago Welwyn beat Woodford both home and away but in this game the score was a true reflection of the gap between the sides.
Despite playing with the advantage of a slight slope and a strong breeze, Welwyn were immediately inside their own 22 with Woodford demonstrating the standard qualities for a successful team at this level - namely a big, technically competent forward pack and half backs with the skill to use possession effectively.
Welwyn defended well. Owen Hopley jumped effectively in the line out, enabling his forwards to drive the ball upfield. But this pressure could not be sustained, and Woodford were soon back on the attack. Playing simple, error free rugby, they were soon camped well inside the Welwyn half. Instead of opting to kick an easy penalty from 25 metres, they kicked for touch and from the line out they moved the ball across the field to the right wing who went over in the corner for a try.
From the restart, Welwyn failed to gather a high kick ahead and were penalized in their desperation to regain possession. Woodford kicked the penalty to move 0-8 ahead. Minutes later Peter Elliott was yellow carded for an illegal tackle. Welwyn were now a man down for 10 minutes, but showed plenty of spirit in defending grimly and breaking out for the occasional attack. But it was from one of these that the difference between the two teams was highlighted. From the halfway line, Welwyn kicked ahead and chased the ball deep into their opponents 22. Instead of a safety first kick to touch, Woodford chose to pass the ball as the Welwyn chasers were not there in sufficient numbers. Excellent inter-passing ended with a try under the posts, the move having started from Woodford's own try line. The successful conversion put the visitors 0-15 ahead.
Welwyn were not giving up though, despite having hooker Joel Curry sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. Richard Rapley and Rob Picken ran powerfully, ball in hand, and all the forwards competed ferociously in the all-important break down area. Woodford was penalized and James Turnbull kicked the penalty from 30 metres.
From the restart this good work was undermined when Welwyn failed to catch cleanly. The spilled ball was simply picked and run over for the softest of tries which was converted to make the score 3-22.
Welwyn came back again using their most efficient weapon- the line out take by Owen Hopley followed by a drive. From such a move Rob Picken scored a try with James Turnbull converting. The score now stood at 10-22.
But Welwyn were unable to sustain this short period of dominance. Poor midfield defence let in Woodford's outside half for an easy try to put his side 10- 29 at half-time.
The pattern of the second half replicated the first. Welwyn's forwards were making their taller, heavier opponents work hard at the rucks and mauls - the crucial areas in the modern game. But Woodford's possession was often secured when they were moving forward. This gave their outside half time to move the ball on accurately to his three-quarters. They scored two more tries in the second half, both coming from good handling movements.
In contrast, Welwyn's possession tended to come slowly from a static or retreating position. This makes it extremely difficult to be effective when attempting to open up the game.
Veterans Andy Hawkins and Frankie Sutherland put themselves about in the tackle area. Richard Stokes, a young prop, was a rugged ball carrier and wing Jamie Humphreys showed good pace and determination from limited opportunities. As ever, Owen Hopley was outstanding, playing his all-round game of line out jumper and ball carrier.
When a team has been conceding 63 points a game, it is encouraging to restrict a decent side such as Woodford to 43 points.
Welwyn will play Eaton Manor away on Saturday next.