On Saturday 13th October, Southwold travelled down the A12 to Essex to face Maldon in the first round of the Vase. With several calls offs and people being unavailable to play it looked like a very different team to the one that faced Wynmondham the week before. So of course the organisation was not as well as it could be but still we believed that it was a good team that could beat Maldon. As the game began Maldon started off the better team and had most of the possession and began to make chances. Before we knew we were 10-0 and we were barely into the game. Strong words were said from Ali Butler and the team began to play some good rugby which Southwold are well capable off. From a penalty given away from the Maldon team, Piers Currie elected to kick for touch where Southwold had a lineout. From the lineout Maldon gave away a penalty close to their line and quick thinking from Charlie Dell and Southwold were able to score their first try to make the game 10-5.
As the first half went on Southwold began to build more chances but were unable to score and as this went on Maldon began to gain confidence and were able to score several more , Half Time score 27-5.

The chat at half time was very brutal and honest, Southwold were causing trouble for Maldon, there was not really any difference around the rucks and basically the whole team were not working hard enough.

As the second half got underway Maldon again had the upper hand and were able to score severely more tries during the half to make the final 56-12, but Southwold were able to grab a consolation try scored by Tom Crick off a tap and go from a penalty.

All in all it was a disappointing game and the end of cup for Southwold for another year, but I must credit everyone who played in that team who travelled down to Essex to play. I also myself want to say how well Charlie Dell played at Scrum half and how well he did in creating chances for Southwold. I was also impressed with Jack Bartlett’s first game for the first, had a great game!!

Southwold are on the road again this weekend as we travel to play Mersey Island in the League.

Team that faced Maldon:
1. Adam Smith
2. Rob Scarle
3. Jamie Tonks
4. Callum Ball
5. Stuart Butler
6. Sam Webb (C)
7. Day Harvey
8. Alex Rookyard
9. Charlie Dell
10. Piers Currie
11. Jack Barlett
12. Tom Crick
13. Cameroon Bonner
14. Clacky
15. Darren Fisher

Replacements
16. Bruce Coleman
17. Joe Block

Written by Anthony Bohncke