Written by David Vaughan.
When London 2 NE League fixtures were announced for the new season it was inevitable, having battled for promotion against each other all last season, and both been successful in gaining promotion, that these two Clubs would meet at some point during the season but it was quite ironic that they met on the opening day
Before the game it was like a meeting of old friends but that friendship soon turned in to the fierce rivalry of old when the game commenced
Just prior to the game, both teams had shown respect by holding a minutes silence for Philip Hayes the Southwold Club Secretary who sadly had unexpectedly passed away the day before at his home in Wangford,
It was also great to see the teams then run on to the pitch via a guard of honour provided by a fully kitted out group of Wold mini rugby players
The game itself started with Stow putting on all the pressure as Wold battled for twenty minutes or so to get out of their own half but they did so twice and were awarded two penalties which Wade duly slotted over and Stow replied with one of their own to make it 6 - 3 to Wold approaching the half hour mark
Wold then grew in to the game and pinned Stow in their 22 for two or three minutes before before Utting went over in the corner for the first try and Wade slotted the extra two points from the touchline for a ten point lead
As half time approached Stow were awarded a penalty in Wolds 22 and caught Wold napping with a quickly taken move to score in the corner and another great kick from wide reduced Wolds lead again to 13 - 10
Wade then slotted a drop goal on the stroke of half time to make it 16 - 10 at the break after a breathtaking first half
The second half was to be a completely different affair and Wold simply blew away the opposition as the pack dominated and the backs took full advantage of the increased possession in what was a truly blistering display of organised rugby
Three minutes in Duruk went over for a great try under the posts and ten minutes later Wallis jinked his way through the Stow defence and over for another great try.
Wade converted both and the score moved to 30 - 10 as the game entered the last quarter and Stow resistance began to falter
Stow had no answer to Wold's total rugby and more trys followed. Smith bullied his way over after a series of forward drives and then Duruk got his second after following up his own grubber kick and gathering the ball up again to score just to the right of the posts. Wade added both conversions and the game was realistically won seven minutes from time at 44 - 10
Wold still were not finished as they continued to move the ball well and their last try with a couple of minutes to go was one of their best and ended in Starks backing up and sprinting fully 40 metres in support of a great move to score just to the left of the posts. Wade capped a faultless display with the extra two points and the score at full time was 51 - 10 win to a deserving Wold after a great all round team effort
MOM Milo Cawkwell with a great display in his new No 8 role but a mention must also be given to Josh Wallis who was also faultless at full back
Next Saturday sees Wold travel to Norwich which will be a huge test and a true reflection of how good this impressive young Wold side are
Arn the Wold !!!