Woodford vs St Albans

Woodford Turn up the Volume at the Highams

With the self confessed quiet man Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith present at Woodford, the Highams men turned up the volume with a 200 decibel performance to give them more hope in their battle against relegation.

Having lost up at St Albans earlier in the season, Woodford knew only their best would be good enough to defeat the Hertfordshire outfit. St Albans were certainly out of the blocks faster than the Highams men and a craftily taken quick tap penalty saw their number 9 score out wide. Woodford struck back immediately and following a lightning break by wing Duffy, prop Wyre-Roberts was on hand to finish a well crafted move. St Albans were next on the board but were lucky that a deliberate knock down from their winger was not spotted by the referee. Woodford though regrouped and began a blitz of tries that St Albans were unable to compete with. First up, Jamie Phillipson casually placed the ball down following a lineout catch and drive then winger Jolly pounced on a St Albans error to score under the posts and Woodford found themselves 31-12 up at half time. The scoring continued in the second half and as St Albans grew tired, Woodford turned the screw to score 6 second half tries.

Ronnie Cobble was again at the heart of Woodford’s best play – much like his look-a-like Dave Strettle, he has the ability to beat players with ease and has certainly galvanised the team since his return from Barking. Woodford have been criticised for their backs play this season but against the Saints, the back three of Duffy, Jolly and Luggeri contributed four of the scores whilst fly half Huw Levis produced a masterful display of kicking, running and passing.

Stand in skipper Stephan Eleftheriou said “It was a very pleasing performance. Although St Albans heads did go down, we stuck to the task well and it was only in the closing stages of the game when Woodford were a man short that we allowed St Albans to score two soft tries that gave the score line a bit of respectability. We are by no means out of the danger yet, but if we continue this vain of form, I have every confidence that we will still be in London 2 next season”.

Woodford from 1 to 15

Eleftheriou (C) (replaced by Kaiser 60), Froud, Wyre-Roberts, Williams, Gooday, Phillipson, Green (Flack 60), Cobble, Williams (Bevan 55), Levis, Jolly, Moody, Morley, Duffy, Luggeri