Woodford earn win in mud bath

Tuesday, 18 December 2012

CHALLENGE: William Tindall and Rhys Phillips.

DIVE: Haaris Sohoye scores.

CHARGE: Mick Chamberlain and James Wallace.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Will Carey.

CATCH ME: Jed West leading the chase.

WOODFORD Under 14s braved a mud bath to win 27-17 at Finchley.
It was the hosts who started well, with their pack working the ball through several phases. Woodford were slow to recover and reform and Finchley drove over from short range to open the scoring at 5-0.
Woodford responded well and took the game into the Finchley half, working the ball from one side of the pitch to the other before Euan Fay took the direct route, but knocked on in the tackle just short of the line.
Jed West soon took the initiative and with a straight drive opened up the space to feed Henry Sharland for Woodford’s first score to loevel 5-5.
Both sides ran well with the ball and a Finchley attack was only halted by a well timed tackle from Haaris Sohoye.
Woodford were giving away too many penalties allowing Finchley possession and territory. Woodford’s defence held out for a long period until Finchley spread the ball wide of the cover and scored a converted try, 12-5.
It was a good response from Woodford with passing between Will Carey and Jamie Ali opening the game up and taking in to the Finchley 22 metre area.
Quick ball was recycled through several hands before Fay drove over to bring Woodford to within two points at 12-10.
Woodford had brought their whole squad so many changes were made to give everyone time on the pitch.
George Langley immediately made an impact at hooker, taking a scrum against the head from which Alex Marks attacked but was tackled before West continued the move and scored with Marks converting for 12-17.
Finchley were still dangerous on the break with Sohoye and Dan Farrelly pulling off a couple of try saving tackles for Woodford.
The pitch was getting muddier as the game stayed in the middle of the pitch with both sides finding it difficult to make an impression.
Woodford’s tight play improved and with a short passing game a final pass went to hand as West broke through to feed Sohoye who scored for 12-22.
Changes in personnel failed to lose Woodford shape as Robert Yiannakou took a catch and started a swift move that saw Ali racing for the corner only to be stopped just short by Finchley.
Even with a muddy slippery ball Woodford were playing with confidence and Michael Batt took a ball on the burst, fed Ali who was driven in to touch.
From the lineout Mick Chamberlain and Curness combined to provide ball before Batt, West, Yiannakou and James Wallace all linked to bring play to the Finchley try line.
From the ruck Woodford did not keep the ball in hand and kicked a speculative ball which Finchley quickly spread wide and the winger raced the length of the field to score against the run of play, 17-22.
Woodford were not going to let the game slip away and with Taylor Wilkins causing havoc in the scrums the Woodford backs linked up, Tom Mead took a pass from Batt, jinked round one player, got tackled but popped the ball up to Batt who rounded off the move with a try in the corner, 17-27.
Coach Charles Wallace said: “This was a great team display. All the boys got a game but did not let the changes affect their play. They coped very well with difficult conditions.”

Man of the match – Will Carey
Squad: Chamberlain, Cannon, Yiannakou, Fay, Weldon, West, Phillips, Tindall, Mead, Sharland, Ali, Sohoye, Carey, Charles, Batt, Murray, Langley, Wilkins, Venditti, Whiting, Curness, Vaid, Wallace, Marks, Dyson, Fitzpatrick, Farrelly.

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