Match Report

FRIENDLY – 3^rd November 07 

May and Baker 5 .v. 25 Woodford

May & Baker had a high volume of players this week which allowed first team call ups and late cry offs and still left M & B with 20 players. Due to the importance of next weeks cup game, Captain Andy Yarrow rested some of the more familiar names and opted for a young less experienced side.

Sadly, during the warm up Ricky Hine was injured and was rushed to hospital by ambulance. Our thoughts and best wishes are with him!!!!! HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON MATE!!!! 

As the game began both sets of backs were in great competition with each other each trying to get the upper hand. But after twenty minutes it was the Baker’s pack that struck the first blow. Woodford infringed at the M & B line out which gave May & Baker a penalty. Captain Andy Yarrow reacted quickest and took a quick tap penalty to bulldoze over from 5 meters out. The number 8 scored this for the forwards who have worked hard in recent weeks to earn ball for the backs to show their talent and it was nice to have a forward get on the score sheet!  

It was expected that a younger less experienced side would struggle at set plays and before half time it had cost M & B two unconverted scores as experience showed. The first from a driving maul and the second from a scrum. 

It was a mixed half for May & Baker around the pitch young boys were doing well but lost old to wiser heads at set plays. This continued into the second half as youngsters Tommy Capper and Josh Procter made good breaks. But due to poor field position and lazy tackling Woodford soon found themselves scoring again. 

M & B were rattled and good counter running earned Woodford a forth try on the hour mark. May & Baker could have been back in the game when Darren Robinson made a good break to feed prop Harry Lisbon who steamed for the line to be tackled just short. 

Robinson was himself next to try and breach the Woodford line this time to be pushed in to touch meters from the line, when Woodford turned over they found themselves kicking deep to avoid Baker’s runs towards the line. This nearly cost them as Josh Procter counter attacked and made a great offload to Andy Yarrow who did not have the legs to run in from 40 yards.

After soaking up some good pressure Woodford went on the attack. As they broke through it took two late ditch tackles one from Tommy Capper & the other from Harry Lisbon to halt Woodford. After quick recycled ball Ross Williams & Chris Young were forced into a try saving tackle. However, quickly recycled ball gave Woodford their 5^th and final try just before full time. 

This loss rattled May & Baker who were hoping to build up a head of steam heading into their cup match next week. A big thank to all supporters, as bad weather begins to come in I hope we still see you!! We could do with you as next week we face a tough cup tie against Witham Away. Hope to see lots of you there making some noise for the boys!!!

 MAN OF THE MATCH: Darren Robinson 

SQUAD: Harry Lisbon, Colon Comben, Shaun Knight, Keith Friend, Tommy Capper, Danny Green, Steve Capper, Andy Yarrow, Martin Lee, Darren Robinson, Josh Procter, Chris Young, Ross Williams, Steve Pollard, Paul Day, Mickey Engwell, Ricky Hine, and Dick Williams