Aldeburgh v Woodbridge II
25th January King’s Field
Result: Aldeburgh 7 – Woodbridge 88
Great commitment in a challenging season
There is no getting away from the fact that this is a tough season for Aldeburgh. After a close game away to Harwich the previous week, hopes were high for the home game with Woodbridge, but the opposition were far too strong. Despite that, the commitment of the Aldeburgh players right to the final whistle showed their character and team spirit which will carry them through.
It was clear from the start that this would be a difficult game. Woodbridge had powerful, strong-running forwards who even had the upper hand in the set scrums which has been Aldeburgh’s strength this season. In their No 12, Woodbridge had a player of high quality whose speed, strength and mazy running enabled him to score several tries and set up others.
Throughout the match there were periods when Aldeburgh held their own. At the end of the first half, they set up a series of drives with such speed that they gained a penalty for offside which they took quickly, drove on and finally bundled over the line. It was to be the highlight of Aldeburgh’s match.
Every Aldeburgh player kept going to the end so it is invidious to pick out anyone. Nevertheless, mention must be made of the performance of Rupert Clogg at full back. At least four times a powerful Woodbridge runner only had Rupert to beat before he flattened them. His tackling was brave, technically superb and brutal. He turned defence into attack when, picking up a long kick into the corner on his own try line, he broke to the half way line before he was brought down. He kicked the conversion too.