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The size of their task was made clear very early on when the rapid Woodbridge centres simply ran round the Swallows defence to take an early lead. Southwold dug in with their pack doing the donkey work into a stiff breeze and having gone through the phases to march 50 metres up the pitch, Michaela Scarle took a quick penalty and casually strolled over from 30 metres out. Amy Gregory added the trappy conversion to give the home side a 7-5 advantage. Southwold’s pack was superb all afternoon with the front row of Sarah Doddington, Elissa Cox and Sharon Larter ably supported by Mandy Easter and Michaela Scarle with No.8 debutante Bev Whyte showing a real flair for that position. They won most of the close exchanges and were on top of the set pieces. However whenever Woodbridge released their jet powered centres despite the valiant efforts of the black and gold backs it resulted in breakaway tries and Woodbridge built up a 32-7 lead when Southwold were dealt a crushing blow when the cornerstone of Southwold’s pack, Sarah Doddington had to leave the pitch with an accidental eye injury. Luckily the Swallows had a spare prop in Laura Utting lurking on the wing but they would have to play the rest of the match a player short. Southwold demonstrated their intent when Amy Gregory chased her own deft chip and the forwards were rapidly on hand to recycle twice before the diminutive Elissa Cox summoned Herculean strength to carry four of the opposition over the line and score. Amy added a fantastic conversion from an impossible angle into the wind. The Swallows three quarters of Shelley Harlow, Amy, Nicky Wallace, Kim Shrubsall and Nina Roe worked overtime to shackle the Woodbridge sprinters and with Bev Whyte and Sharon Larter taking yards out of the visitors ball in hand Southwold scored an excellent try through Nicky Wallace and yet again Amy made it a 7 point score and the home side were starting to dream the impossible. Sadly Woodbridge escaped twice more but the Swallows had the final word when the forwards took the ball deep into Woodbridge territory and when released Amy set up Kim for her try and Amy made it four out of four with another excellent conversion. Special thanks to captain Mandy, Michaela and Sarah for organising this match at such short notice, Miles James for refereeing, the Wangford Angel for providing team teas and Prestige Nursing Norwich for the new team kit of shirts, shorts and socks. Prestige Player of the match: The whole damn team! |