Under 14s Record Hard Earned Victory at Woodford

It was a game of two halves as Enfield overcame a spirited fight back from Woodford to record a hard-earned victory on Remembrance Sunday. Parents enjoyed the lofty heights of Woodford’s clubhouse balcony to enjoy some premium rugby and whilst there was a chill in the air, there was some heat on the pitch. Enfield were delighted to welcome two debutants for the team in Liam D and David (affectionately known to his teammates as ‘Tank’),

The game started as the coaches had planned. From the kick off Enfield moved the ball up the field and eventually the pressure told when Woodford conceded a penalty. This was well kicked to touch by George and from the resulting lineout the ball went through the hands of before David lived up to his nickname and ran straight and strong beating a number of defenders to score the games first try. The conversion was well slotted over by Patrick.

Following the restart Enfield were under a bit of pressure for the first time in the game. The defence was able to withstand this and when Woodford tried a kick over the top, Patrick was on hand to secure the ball which was quickly offloaded to Ollie G in Enfield’s 22. With several defenders to beat Ollie G set off down the right and left them in his trail as he ran in Enfield’s second try under the posts, which was also converted by Patrick to make it 14-0.

The mid-point of the first half was more even but Enfield were gradually pushing Woodford back every time they had the ball. This resulted in a turnover and following a good one two between Patrick and Isaac, Patrick ran down the left to score Enfield’s third try under the posts, which was not converted, with the ball dipping under the bar.

Enfield’s pressure continued and it was not long before they scored a fourth try. Woodford conceded a penalty and from the resulting tap and go there were several good surges from the Enfield forwards and David was on hand to cross the try line for his second score. Despite the conversion going wide it was 24-0 which remained the score at half time.

During half-time, the team and coaches took time out to join the rest of Woodford’s age groups to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday. This was a fitting tribute and demonstrates the values of rugby coming through for all the children.

If Enfield thought the game was won during the first half, they were in for a shock as following some changes in the Woodford team the tables were turned on Enfield. The big Woodford scrum was proving increasingly dominant against an inexperienced Enfield front-five and it was ball from the back of the retreating Enfield scrum that was moved well by Woodford who ran in their first try on their left, the try was not converted. A second try soon followed in the same corner as Woodford were enjoying territory and points on the board. The scoreboard was still comfortable in favour of Enfield at 24-10, but was very challenging now on the pitch.

At the mid-point of the second half the game was starting to get a bit more physical as Woodford were eyeing a comeback victory as the home supporters’ voices could be heard. The tensions simmered in the middle of the pitch before boiling over in front of the clubhouse as opposing views on how to tackle were hotly debated following which it was an Enfield player that drew the attention of the referee who requested that the ‘offending’ player should be temporarily replaced following a no-arms tackle. From the resulting penalty, Woodford got on the front foot again and whilst there was good defending, Enfield’s try line was breached for a third time. The conversion was missed but Enfield could feel the pressure with the score now at 24-15.

Enfield remained on the back foot and in their 22 as the clocked ticked down, but with some brave tackling and strong runs from Adam and Berkay they managed to keep Woodford at bay and with the aid of the impressive new scoreboard and game clock they knew victory was all but confirmed, but Woodford’s determination to add another score was matched by Enfield’s dogged defence and when the final furious exchanges resulted in a face and head injury to two of Enfield’s players, and with the game effectively over as a contest, the referee wisely decided to call time on this full-blooded encounter.

Enfield were given a fright in the second half by Woodford but the deserved winners were Enfield with free flowing rugby in the first half backed up with grit and determination in the second with a the final score of 24-15. The coaches will be dissecting this game over a beverage and planning how to get the boys to be stronger in the tackle and to improve their scrummaging technique, something very much close to both their hearts. They will be delighted with the two debutants on the field, including a man of the match display by David, and that the boys showed courage in the second half to see out the game.

So as the coaches mopped up the gravy of their Sunday dinner with their last yorkshire pudding they were already planning tactics for the visit of Datchworth next Sunday.