Woodbridge 10 Aldeburgh 7
Rugby for the sake of it
A fixture hastily arranged when both teams’ league opponents cried off. As it was an away friendly rather than a home league fixture, some players chose to nurse injuries (or relationships) rather than play so it was something of a scratch team with visitors from Colchester and Ipswich YM plus various mates who were roped in.
What emerged was a game of rugby played by a bunch of people who simply wanted a game. It proved that there is no such thing as a friendly when two sides want to win. There was guts and commitment galore.
Sadly, the game began with an injury to a Woodbridge player from the kick off which appeared to be a broken ankle. A high price to pay for your Saturday afternoon’s entertainment. Both sides wish the injured player well.
Overall the game was rather scrappy. Woodbridge looked much bigger than the Aldeburgh players but were unable to string any passes together. Aldeburgh had Freddie Burgess at fly half. Having played hooker, prop, second row and No 8 in recent times, this was a new departure. It has to be said that Freddie is not a fly half but his readiness to put his hand up to take on roles that the team needs is outstanding.
Although Woodbridge managed to get an unconverted try, Aldeburgh, despite the mix of players in their team, maintained the pressure for most of the first half resulting in a try by Lewis Wardell Bird which he nonchalantly followed up by drop kicking the conversion.
Just before half time, James Ledger led the way by turning over a ball at a ruck then driving straight ahead gaining twenty metres. Unfortunately, he took a bang on the head in doing so, causing him to have to retire injured.
As a result, Aldeburgh played the whole of the second half a player short. Their commitment and tackling was magnificent. Woodbridge did throw away many positions by indiscipline and back chat to the referee which resulted in penalties and in ten metre advances. In a league fixture we would have seen a yellow card.
There was only one occasion when Woodbridge managed to get their act together, giving their big No 10 the opportunity to barge his way over.
Coach Paddy Allen was proud of the team which had given its all.
Having taken the points from Mistley’s cancellation, Aldeburgh consolidated its well-deserved third place in the league and has a strong points difference.