The last Saturday of the month was another sunny affair as Woking RFC were to travel to New Malden for a tough rivalry match in the Surrey 4 RFU League against Wandsworthians nicknamed "The Dubs".
In past meetings this test has always been a bruising encounter between the teams. Woking were missing key players as Injured scrum half James Bannister was replaced with Matt Borman who has been shuffled around in several positions this season but mainly playing fly half of late and then the 10 jersey being filled by Paddy Goodburn on this occasion rather than 12 which left Kevin Turner to step up to the plate to tackle the inside centre roll coming in from Woking's 2nd XV.
Kick off came at 15:00 with Woking playing into the wind which expectedly favoring the boot of "The Dubs" no. 10. This said it was Woking who immediately got down to business crossing the line on their first attack of the game. The try came from good a good platform set by the Woking pack and good hands through the back line with Dan Edwards adding the points. The conversion was unsuccessful. This powerful start was how the hungry Woking boys were to continue for the next 30 minutes. Unbelievable scrummaging and rucking out of the ball giving the backs good ball consistently. An unfortunate event occured during the first quarter as new arrival at the club Dan Hills taking a heavy injury to his shoulder resulting in his substitution. Phil Robertson was to replace him and step up to the mark. The Woking team kept applying pressure and caused frustration in "The Dubs" camp resulting in penalties going Woking's way. Stand in Captain for the day Paddy Goodburn was keen to go for the Jugular today and insisted on going for goal, however the wind was causing Dan Edwards terrible trouble with the boot. This didn't stop the charge as more tries were to come. The second came in similar fashion to the first but this time Evan Marchant scoring the try converted by Dan Edwards. The third try of the first half would come from forward Joe Bennett, the relentless pressure and strength of the pack were damaging "The Dubs" where they thought they would be the stronger team. The conversion was missed. Wandsworthians had to change their style if they were going to get back in this game, which they attempted at the end of the first half but Woking's aggressive defence and first up tackles kept them at bay. The score at the half time whistle was Woking 17 Wandworthians 0.
At half time Paddy Goodburn gave a powerful team talk as he felt it was time to up the tempo and turn the screw! This speech really fired up the boys and were ready for the restart, knowing that "The Dubs" were going to come out strong they would have to keep maintaining the pressure of that in the first half.
The second half started as expected. Wandsworthians started attacking strong and gaining momentum. Woking held their own with some big tackles going in from Adam Smith, Steve Rhodes and Joe Bennett in the forwards . Territory was maintained by Wandsworth but a turnover in midfield and Woking were back to where they wanted to be. The scrums were one way traffic where Woking took everything off "The Dubs" which brought on a fast break in which Chris Wallis on the wing completed. Another conversion missed due to the difficult wind conditions... Wandsworth still had plenty of heart although the score was getting worse for them. They gained territory from the boot and won their own lineout in the Woking half and slowly but surely points would come. Unfortunately penalty kicks were the only points that they would score as the Woking defence never looked like conceding a try. The score now at 22-6 in favor of the visitors. Woking upheld a bout of pressure and eventually winning the ball back and ran in the fifth and final try which Thomas Pedrona was the successor from a team effort where forwards rumbled up the field and again good back play. The final score was Woking RFC 29 - 6 Wandworthians. The Woking team were evidently thrilled with their performance. Woking lineup; Pearce, Hamilton-Wilkes, Crossan, Hills, Lovell, Smith, Rhodes, Bennett, Borman, Goodburn (c), Turner, Edwards, Wallis, Marchant and Pedrona. Subs; Robertson, Stedman and Raife.
Player coach Martin Crossan said after the game that this was the best Woking Team performance he had witnessed during his time at the club and that every player should be proud of this effort. Also stating that if the team were to keep playing this standard of rugby that we could well be in with a chance of promotion, but the key to this is full attendance at training to consolidate. Goodburn and usual 1st team captain also congratulated the team and encouraged a continued effort throughout the season. Following the good food put on at the Wandsworthians clubhouse most the Woking players along with wives and girfriends were to enjoy a fancy dress Halloween Party back at the Camphill Club where live entertainment was at hand along with fine ale!
