Early promise proves short-lived for rugby club
By Jim Morgan at Castle Playing Fields on Monday, 10th January 2011.
With training having been impossible for four weeks due to the weather, Haverhill ran out onto a very cold and wet Castle Field that ensured ball handling for both teams would be tough.
Haverhill started very well, dominating the scrum, but with the skills of Carl Anderson missing in the front of the line out, West Norfolk were able to boss the line for most of the game, which was to prove crucial.
Within five minutes of the start, Haverhill won a penalty that was kicked to five metres out. Brodie Patrick took a great catch at the front of the line and Haverhill drove towards the line.
Martin Ransome broke from the back, driving towards the posts and won a penalty. The ever-thinking Paul Bergin spotted the slack defence of West Norfolk and quickly tapped and crashed over the line for a try under the posts, converted by Kieran Ewens for 7-0.
Within two minutes, Haverhill were attacking again, winning a free kick which was picked up by Joe Brown, who made good yards, only to spill the ball in the tackle.
Chris Boyle, Brad Gibson and Patrick were seen putting in some huge tackles to stop an undisciplined West Norfolk side from breaking through.
A huge kick into the Haverhill 22-metre line was skilfully cleared by Ewens to the ten-metre line. West Norfolk won the line ball and moves it wide. Haverhill defended well, but after sustained pressure five metres out, West Norfolk finally crossed the line on 25 minutes to make the scores level.
With Haverhill dominating the scrum, West Norfolk decided not to use the scrum option when the line-out ball was deemed foul. This gave the home supporters some heart, but it was short-lived.
A great catch and drive by the Norfolk side saw the Haverhill line again under pressure. The ball was opened wide and Patrick almost made the crash tackle, but the player got through and under the posts on 30 minutes, 7-14.
With a minute to go to half-time, another catch and drive line-out saw West Norfolk cross the line to make the score 7-21 at the whistle.
With skipper Gavin Hope leaving the field at the break and the Haverhill lack of match fitness showing, the second half was never going to be easy, but the home side continued to play rugby. On 50 minutes, West Norfolk crossed the line after a quick move from the dominant line out.
West Norfolk scored twice on 55 and 60 minutes, taking the score to 7–42 and the Haverhill injury list higher, with Lester, Gibson and Boyle (replaced by Nigel Richards) all suffering.
Haverhill attacked and won three penalties five metres out, causing interest as to why there was not a sin bin for the guilty Norfolk player and a penalty try.
The third penalty resulted in Haverhill spinning the ball wide and on the final pass for the try, it was intercepted by a West Norfolk winger who, after a 90-metre run, placed the ball under the Haverhill post on 65 minutes.
Two further tries, the last not being converted brought the score to 7–61 and a welcome final whistle.
With the side travelling to darkest Norfolk next week to play Holt, the injury list is of concern.
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