Firstly, I must apologise, I have been slacking in my duties as 3rd team scribe. Unfortunately, the pressures of the festive spirit and work have distracted me from the important things in life.

So, to make amends, herewith match reports for the 3rds last 3 outings.

On Saturday 28th November, West entertained Wymondham 3rds in a battle between the 2nd and 3rd place teams. As one could expect it was a keenly contested match with no quarter being asked or expected. Wymondham arrived with a gnarly pack that echoed West’s early season forwards. West experimented with a new look 8, including Paul Bridges, Alex Turner and Phil Packwood. Second row saw Simon Stephenson joined by Dan Hobbs, with James Brady making his first appearance for West, along with Steven Bird and Andy Frost in the back row.

Early exchanges saw West take the lead with a piece of individual skill by Steven Bird diving on a loose pass back from the base of a Wymondham scrum on their 5 metre line. Quickest to react he was able to touch the ball down to give West the lead.

Tom Fincham was excellent at scrum half, coordinating well with the ever youthful Darren Clarke who guested at 10. Youth and Experience combined well with Tom steering the pack forwards, setting frost free on a number of occasions for bullocking runs around the fringes. Brady and Bird used their youth and fitness to excellent effect giving vital support early securing ball until the older players caught up. Clarke, on the other hand, was marshalling the backs to perfection, allowing Tom Bankart and Phill Hinds to make several slashing breaks through the Wymondham defence, ably assisted by the pace of young Adam and James Noble on the wings. Al Beard, at full back cleared loose ball and ran it back with gusto. Whilst Wymondham’s tackling may have been somewhat weak, West were crunching players at every opportunity. Noble, Bankart and Brady all put in some corkers.

However, Wymondham got themselves on the scoreboard with a penalty following some alleged infringement by West at the breakdown.

The half time score was 5 – 3 in West’s favour.

The second half started with West on the attack. Good running from the backs set up an easy try for the debutant Brady as he picked up from 2 yards and dobbed it down. Bird converted

Wymondham responded strongly with a period of pressure that saw their winger score in the corner. The conversion went over.

Further pressure followed as Wymondham turned the screw. West conceded a penalty and Wymondham converted to take a 12 – 13 lead.

West then bought on Goldie for an injured Noble. Wymondham continued to press, pushing West back in to their own 22. With 5 minutes left West had a scrum deep inside their 22, they secured ball and then drove it forwards, keeping it tight with all players, backs and forwards, combining to move the ball relentlessly forwards. With 30 yards to go Wymondham were deemed to have infringed at the break down. West were awarded a penalty, and, in complete silence, Steven Bird stepped up and slotted it cleanly through the uprights to give West a 15 – 13 win.

A well deserved win for West who fought all the way and showed true spirit from a rejigged pack.

Thanks to Hodgy and Ian Hollands who benched but did not get on.

Funniest moment of the game was the sight of the captain puking his heart out all the way back to the Clubhouse. (I am told it was funny…. I couldn’t seem to raise a smile….)

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The next week, West travelled to Beccles in a top of the league clash. It’s a reflection of the depth within the Club and the sprit within the team that West actually sent a team. It is the first time since I have been Captain that we have been able to fulfil the away fixture.

It is to my chagrin that I was unable to travel. I had to redress my work/life balance! Thanks to Alex Turner for stepping in to the breech and leading the team.

The result, which was a 60 point to 5 victory for Beccles would suggest that West were outclassed. That was not the case. We arrived with 13 players and were given a Beccles man to make up the numbers. Beccles score 90% of their points in the first 30 minutes with their ultra quick winger taking advantage of the overlap and players playing out of place.

Young Josh made his debut in the second row and gave a good account of himself. Nic Bull played well at 8 and Dan Hobbs went from the second row to 10!

Thanks to Goldie who left work early and made the journey, arriving half an hour in to the game. He completed West’s 15 and the flow of points slowed dramatically.

The reports I have received all say the same. West played with great spirit and fought to the end. It was not a slaughter and the game at West will be an interesting one with us having a good chance of reversing the scores.


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Which brings me up to date with this weekend…

On Saturday 12th December 2009, West 3rds met Broadland Tigers at Gatehouse Lane. The game was anticipated as being a closely fought affair, bearing in mind last season’s fixtures.

West turned out a completely different team to previous weeks, and the Club should be pleased that it has the depth to keep fulfilling fixtures despite injuries and unavailability. It was noticeable that the 3rds average age this week was well below 25, which will probably cause a number of stalwarts to shift uneasily in their armchairs. Thanks go to those players who turned up at the eleventh hour and offered their services. West needed subs and those that came on later did not disappoint.

The pack consisted of Pete Clift (junior), Ben Frusher and Johnny Williams making up the front row. The second row was Simon Stephenson and young Josh Rowlands and the back row was Lawrence Daniels, Steven Bird and Nic Bull.

West dominated from the outset with the youthful back row driving the ball forward. Tom Fincham had another good game at scrum half and linked nicely with Al Beard playing at 10.

The centre combination of Tom Bankart and Ian Hollands coordinated well, freeing up the speedy Adam and James Noble to make good yards on the wings. Goldie was as solid as always at full back.

Once West got their hands on the ball it became apparent that they were going to be unstoppable. A convincing 80 minute display ensued, seeing West run in 12 tries, with 9 conversions and 1 penalty. Hollands’ kicking was awesome.

Try scorers included Bull with 3, Williams and Rowlands bagging a pair, and Fincham, Noble and Bankart contributing on behalf of the backs.

Phil Packwood took the field and marked his entrance with 2 crunching tackles, turning the player on both occasions. Stefan Jackson came on in place of the aged Stephenson and was solid in the tight 5. Lawrence Daniels swapped places with his younger (can they get much younger?) brother Alex, who played very well on the flank in his first senior game.

The game was physical with some niggle creeping in as the game wore on. Broadland were frustrated by some of the refereeing decisions, but everyone must remember that the refs give up their time so 30 other people can have an enjoyable run out. The referee accepted the game at very short notice that very morning so he should be applauded. Both West and Broadland lost players to yellow cards, with young Adam earning himself the accolade for throwing a ball at his opposite number.

The final score was West 69 Broadland 0

Nic Bull was deservedly awarded the Man of the Match. His direct, strong running earned him his tries and defensively, he was a thorn in Broadland’s side.

As a post script, I was approached after the game by an RFU official who was due to appraise the original referee. He remarked on how well the West team played as a whole, and how it was a credit to the Club and the players themselves the excellent team spirit that they displayed during the game.

Well, done one and all. See you on Saturday for the players Christmas bash. Starts after the game, finishes late.. Oh .. And don’t forget the St Trinians’ theme.

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