by David Dutch

Following on from wrapping up League Division One League last week, Woodford smashed their way past Braintree to reach the final of the Essex Cup for the second year running.

Woodford started the match at a high tempo and following a break up the blind-side by Scrum Half Cameron Dutch, he fed Second Row Dan Matautia who crashed over to open the scoring.

Dutch then scored in the corner himself following a great off-load from number eight Ashley Somers. Woodford kept the presure up and were awarded a penalty in the Braintree 22 metre area. From the penalty Brad Burrell broke throught the Braintree defence to pop the ball to Ashley Somers to score under the posts. Ryan Davis added the conversion, giving Woodford a 17 point lead at half-time.

In the second half, the Woodford forwards totally dominated the match and took control of the match. Somers scored his second try shortly after the break and Matt Grogan then crashed over following a great drive from the forwards. A great opportunist try then came when Wing James Piras ran three quarters of the length of the pitch to score a fine individual try.

In the final quarter of the match, Prop Brad Burell finished Braintree off with two excellent tries. The first of these when he ran through most of the Braintree forwards. The second came when he was driven over the Braintree line by the strong Woodford pack. Davis converted the second of these tries.

An excellent team effort by all involved. Woodford will now play either Westcliff or Brentwood in the Final on 25th April.

Meanwhile, the club were crowned Essex League Division One champions after a 40–5 win over Chelmsford.

Promoted at the end of last season having won Division Two, Woodford Under 15s went one better and wrapped up the Essex League Division One title last Sunday.

Woodford went into this final league match facing a Chelmsford team fielding five Essex players. Woodford attacked from the start with Alistair Nicholls twice coming close to opening the scoring.

Matt Grogan then opened the scoring crashing over after a great break from scrum-half Cameron Dutch.

The next try has to be the try of the season, with every member of the front row and second row inter-passing down the right wing, ending up with prop Ian Bukenya sprinting round to touch down under the posts. Ryan Davis converted to give Woodford a 12–0 lead. Woodford, now had the bit between the teeth and tries followed from centre Liam Sanderson who dummied his way through the Chelmsford defence to score a great individual try. Davis again converted.

Not to be outdone, top try scorer James Piras then picked the ball up in his own 22 metre area and sprinted nearly the length of the pitch handing off several Chelmsford defenders to score another superb try.

Matt Grogan then scored his second try after a sustained amount of pressure in the Chelmsford 22.

The second half saw Woodford take their foot off the gas and allow Chelmsford to score a consolation try, but centre Alex Stroud scored a superb solo try under the posts to cement victory for the Woodford boys.

Woodford now play Braintree next Sunday in the semi-final of the Essex Cup to hopefully get a spot in the Final of the Essex Cup. If things go well, the Woodford boys could be looking at a league and cup double.

Under 15 League Division Three
Woodford B Team 39–0 Chelmsford B Team

Not to be outdone by the A Team, the Woodford B Team recorded an excellent victory over Chelmsford Bs. In what was a great team effort, the Bs played with superb teamwork and great attitude. The Bs currently sit in second place in League Three.