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SWAFFHAM 1st XV
SPONSORED BY
THURLOW NUNN
email to : kingslynn@thurlownunn.co.uk
14/04/07
Lakenham Hewett 0 Swaffham 78
Swaffham demolished their hosts in the last league match of the season by 12 tries to nil to give a more respectable look to their league status. It hides the fact that all but one of their league victories have come since the new year, and the team are showing that with regular commitment, and a settled side, they have a lot to offer for the future. Within minutes of the start Gladman opened the scoring when he touched down from the flank after a strong drive at the first scrummage of the match. Soon after, and with the crowd still applying the sun tan lotion, Stuart Smith broke through some poor tackling in the Lakenham three-quarters and raced away to score under the posts for Murray to convert. Lakenham tried to keep the ball moving but Swaffhams defence remained solid, as it has been for most of the season, and whenever they got into the Swaffham half, strong tackling denied them the score. After some excellent handling by the forwards, Chamberlain was given his chance from 5 yards out and manfully strode over the line to give Murray another easy conversion attempt. Some crisp handling and effective rucking meant that Lakenham hardly had any possession as Swaffham ran in four more converted tries from Gunnell(2), Sparks(2) and ended the half with a 47-0 lead.
The home sides half time talk must have had the desired effect and it was a totally different Lakenham side that started the second 40 minutes. The match became very much a stop start affair, resulting in little in the way of flowing rugby, but eventually it was Lines who stepped up to entertain the crowd with his exaggerated side step and crossed the line to once again open the flood gates. Impey had been brought on to add some youth, and rewarded his skipper with a clean PBW to score easily in the corner. After slotting nicely into position after a reshuffle and as gaping holes opened up innocently in front of him, Thurlow Nunn’s Man of the Match Stuart Smith completed his hat trick with two more tries after some tantalising touches and showing sleight of hand beyond his years. The whole match was rounded off nicely with a try and conversion from Murray in the last few minutes to give Swaffham their biggest league win since promotion to Division 2 and a fitting end to Ryan Gladmans two years of captaincy..
31/03/07
Swaffham 17 Southwold 3
Swaffham maintained their unbeaten home record for 2007 with a three try to nil defeat of their coastal visitors in perfect rugby conditions in front of a small but cheerful crowd following the Vice presidents lunch. Some crisp handling and effective rucking meant that Southwold hardly had any possession in the opening minutes as Swaffham pressed for the early score. Southwolds defence held firm and after a long kick down field, Swaffham were caught offside and, against the run of play, the visitors took the lead with a penalty. The forwards were providing their three-quarters with plenty of opportunities to attack and it seemed a formality when Pearce was given the space to run in near the corner. Gunnell converted to make it 7-3 and although Swaffhams dominance gave them plenty of territory, Southwold held firm until half time.
Southwold tried to kick their way into attacking positions using their slight wind advantage but Chamberlain and Taylor regularly cleaned up in the line out and Swaffham used their superior pick and drive techniques to work their way forwards.
The visitors began to get frustrated and eventually the referee had no hesitation in sending Southwolds second row to the sin bin for dangerous play. With their forwards a man down, Morrissey kicked deep into the corner from a penalty, and from the ensuing lineout Swaffham drove over for Gunnell to score. Having fought hard to stay in the game this score seemed to break the Southwold resolve and they started to give away frequent penalties allowing the home side to spend long periods in attack. Swaffham were unable to break through the Southwold back line so reverted to the forwards for their reward. Once again, a well taken line out was driven 10 yards to the visitors line for the Captain, and Thurlow Nunn Man of the Match Gladman to ground for the final try. Swaffham have now beaten all but the top four sides this season and with a settled side, are beginning to show their true potential. Unfortunately, with only one more league match before the end of the season, they have left it too late this year to alter their lowly league position but must look forward to next year with more confidence.
03/03/07
Swaffham 24 Haverhill 0
Swaffham put in another excellent performance, to register their fourth league win out of five with an excellent victory over sixth placed Haverhill in bright but difficult conditions. The visitors pack were bigger but were unable to cope with the home sides speed and tenacity at the breakdown, and Swaffham spent most of the first half in attack. Full of the confidence to carry the ball, a smoothly executed miss move in the centres made the space out wide for Pearce to take the ball under the posts. Reed converted and Swaffham looked comfortable in all areas of the game. With fifteen minutes of the half to go Haverhill were reduced to fourteen men after a yellow card for continual backchat and Swaffham took full advantage to add 10 more points during the sin bin. The first of these points came from Thurlow Nunn’s Man of the Match, Mark Lines, who was in control throughout and will be sorely missed should he retire at the end of the season. From a scrum five metres out the ball was moved out to Lines who drew his man before sweetly stepping inside to score beneath the posts. Reed again converted and when Haverhill infringed at a ruck, he stepped froward to slot the penalty and give Swaffham a 17 –0 lead at half time. Swaffham pack decided to put their skills on show in the second period and drove the Haverhill scrum back on several occasions. In the loose play and after a series of quick rucks and strong drives from Murray and Callaby, Mark Lines scored his second try of the match, to touch down under the posts. Reed converted to put the game out of reach of the visitors and the Swaffham forwards then put together some of their best support play of the season. At times the Haverhill defence was left in tatters, struggling to keep the hosts at bay, but as Swaffham tired the scoring chances deserted them. With Swaffham home and dry, Haverhill fought hard for the elusive score and made their hosts defend right to the final whistle. This was an impressive victory which takes them well away from the bottom and with sights on a possible mid table finish, but that will depend on other results.
03/02/07
Norwich Union 10 Swaffham 31
Swaffham claimed a comprehensive victory over Norwich Union on Saturday and any third party watching from the touchline would have to agree that it was an exceptional performance. Swaffham took the lead early on after a well worked line out using the newly devised “engine” call. Centre Stuart Smith, who was later named as Thurlow Nunn’s Man of the Match sliced through Norwich Unions poor cover to score, and Reed added the extra points from the touchline. As Swaffham grew in confidence the play got better and midway through the half, Impey extended the lead when Clarke offloaded in the tackle and he sliced through to score under the posts. Reed again converted, and Union were on the back foot. After a minor dispute Swaffham were reduced to fourteen as James took a compulsory ten minute break, and Union took full advantage of the extra man to score. Half time saw Swaffham holding a 14-5 lead and looking the better side. After the break, Swaffham continued to cause the home side problems and in defence Matt Taylor was outstanding. Chamberlain strode in from 20 metres, and Clarke scored from the base of a ruck. Both tries were converted and all Union could muster was a solitary try in the corner. Reed was solid with all the conversions and added a penalty near the end to ensure an impressive day with the boot. Captain Ryan Gladman was full of praise for his improving side, saying “This was probably our best performance in the league this season and on that you can quote me”. Happy with the outcome against a side in fourth place and who beat Swaffham earlier in the season, this result shows that the youth policy is on schedule it now puts a premium on results during the final part of the league campaign.
13/01/07
Swaffham 22 Harwich & Dovercourt 0
Swaffhams poor season has begun to turn the corner and continued with an excellent victory over Harwich in damp slippery conditions. The visitors pack, as expected, were much bigger but were unable to cope with the home sides speed to the breakdown and Swaffham spent most of the first half in attack. Lacking in the confidence to carry the ball there was still too much kicking but after some good rucking, Pearce reached through the melee to touch down near the corner. The score stayed at 5-0 until half time and there was always a fear that Harwich would fight back and score, but after another cleanly won line out, early after the restart, Harris was driven over by his forwards to claim the try that ultimately broke the Harwich resolve.
With twenty minutes to go Harwich were reduced to fourteen men after a yellow card for continually slowing the ball down and Swaffham took full advantage to run in two more tries during the sin bin. The first came from a scrum five metres out and when the Swaffham pack exerted their control and drove the Harwich forwards back over their line, Clarke was on hand to touch down. The Swaffham pack began to dominate the loose play and after a series of quick rucks and crisp handling, Thurlow Nunn’s Man of the Match "Badger" Clarke scored the try of the match, when he slipped through from the base of a ruck in typical Matt Dawson style to sprint in unopposed from 20 yards to touch down under the posts. With confidence in their game Swaffham then started to put together some of their best moves of the season, as the Harwich defence was left in tatters and struggling to keep the score respectable.
Swaffham were home and dry, but Harwich fought hard in the final few minutes and made their hosts defend right to the final whistle for an impressive victory which takes them away from the bottom of the table - and beginning to believe that there is the nucleus of a very good side just waiting to blossom.
16/12/06
Swaffham 0 Thetford 10
Swaffham were hoping that they could reverse their earlier away defeat by Thetford but although the team has improved there are still areas where the players confidence to attack the opposition is lacking. Swaffham started well enough and spent the first ten minutes deep in the visitors half but were unable to break through. Thetford scored first with a penalty after using their powerful forwards to good effect, but Swaffham rallied and , after a series of driving rucks forced the Thetford defence to stray offside. This was the first of several instances when the visitors were caught but although Swaffham used three different kickers, none of them were able to convert and this is one aspect of the game which is costing Swaffham dearly in these close games. Thetford made the most of this and once again scored after strong forward play ended with a try near the posts as the back row strolled through a seemingly impossible gap to open up a 10-0 lead at half time. Swaffham raised their game in the second half and started to show some resilience, but a minor tantrum between Chamberlain and a Thetford player , resulted in a sin binning for both sides. Thetford began to struggle to get deep into Swaffham territory but, as they have all season, Swaffham defended well and gave few scoring opportunities. The last twenty minutes saw the home side in full flow and they began to show some of their real potential as the Thetford defence were continually penalised for offside. Thurlow Nunn's Man of the Match Tom Murray was excellent at the base of the scrum, where Thetford applied pressure at every opportunity without success. Swaffham were unfortunate not to score after some excellent rucking, and quick hands enabled them to put together several phases and make good ground deep into the Thetford half. The team are starting to gel together and once they secure a much needed victory, the rest of the season will undoubtedly improve. 2006 has been a rebuilding year but with a squad of players mainly drawn from the Clubs junior section over the last two seasons the future looks very good.
25/11/06
Swaffham 13 Lakenham Hewett 34
Swaffhams return to league action on Saturday failed to produce the victory they had hoped against a resurgent Lakenham team, but once again they showed glimpses of what the team is capable of . In what was a very physical and bad tempered game, Clarke gave Lakenham an early lead with two penalties and Squires scored after a good handling move in the threequarters.
Impey, making his first start at fly-half slotted a penalty before half time to give Swaffham some reward for their efforts and finished the half 3-13 behind. The home team began the second period strongly and took the game to the opposition, causing them to play a much tighter and physical game against Swaffhams lighter forwards. The back row continued to harry the Lakenham threequarters into mistakes and by forcing the loose passes, Swaffham were able to make good ground and counter attacked to good effect. The pressure produced results and Swaffham pulled the score back to 13-13, after two fine tries by Thurlow Nunns Man of the Match James Taylor, came from hard tackles and some smooth interpassing. The physicality of the match eventually seemed to tire Swaffham, and Lakenham put together a purple patch late in the half when both Edwards and Scott scored in quick succession to open up a 27-13 lead. Swaffham tried hard to get back into the match but seemed to have lost their early impetus and it was Lakenhams skipper Wells who crashed over to score in the dying minutes. Clarke kept up his 100% strike rate with the conversions to give the visitors the victory by a somewhat flattering scoreline.
04/11/06
Swaffham 0 Ipswich YM 28
Swaffham were defeated by four tries to nil at home, but the score perhaps flattered the opposition with two gifted tries coming against the run of play. Ipswich arrived in confident mood, but Swaffham began well and attacked the Ipswich line with purpose. After ten minutes they were still on the attack and the Ipswich defence was being tested to its limits but Swaffhams inability to retain possession at crucial times ended with them conceding a penalty and allowing Ipswich to clear their line. Swaffham took heart from their successful driving play and looked the more likely to score, but after an Ipswich attack was repelled, a mistimed clearance kick went straight to the left wing who coasted in to score a converted try near the corner. Swaffham were certainly not playing the part of the underdogs, and showing good skills around the line out, the pack were taking the game to the opposition at every opportunity. Unfortunately after 20 minutes, Harris, who was having a big influence on the Swaffham performance, had to leave the field through injury, and soon after Swaffham were forced to make a second replacement when Lines also went off injured. Ipswich took advantage of the situation and while the defence was reorganising a well worked chip from the fly half allowed the right wing to win the race and touch down for a 14-0 half time lead. Soon after the restart, Swaffham had to use their last replacement for Summers and were struggling to keep some form of pattern to their game to penetrate the well organised defence in front of them. The home sides young and energetic pack had worked well, led by Thurlow Nunn Man of The Match John Chamberlain and Swaffham were starting to get back into the game when another stroke of luck gifted Ipswich a try. Having kicked aimlessly ahead, Ipswich followed up, and as Swaffhams replacement full back was tackled the ball was dislodged straight into the arms of the Ipswich winger to run in unopposed under the posts. With no luck going their way, Swaffhams final blow came when Smith, one of the best tacklers on the day, had to be carried off with a leg injury and forcing the home team to play the last 15 minutes with only 14 men.With the back line now totally disorganised it was a struggle for Swaffham to force any form of crack in the visitors defence and while trying to get some points on the board a wayward pass was collected in the centre for Ipswichs fourth try, giving the visitors a slightly flattering final score, but on balance a deserved victory.
30/09/06
Broadland 3 Swaffham 17
Swaffhams improving form continued when they recorded their first league victory of the campaign with an excellent away win. After the long journey it would have been understandable had Swaffham began slowly, but that was not the case, and Broadland were put under pressure from the opening whistle. Swaffham’s pack were lighter and less experienced than their opponents but were able to supply the backs with enough ball to gain plenty of territory. The rush defence forced Broadland to panic and when the ball was passed out wildly, Smith pounced to intercept and gallop over for a try, converted by Morrissey. Broadland struggled to get deep into Swaffham territory and were only able to reply with a hastily struck drop goal late into the half which ended with Swaffham 7-3 to the good. Broadland started the second period full of resolve and were soon attacking the visitors line, but, as they have all season, Swaffham defended well and gave few scoring opportunities. From then on the supporters of the home side had little to cheer as crisp handling and effective rucking meant that Broadland hardly had any possession as Swaffham continued to attack the home teams line. Thurlow Nunns Man of Match was Louis Gunnell for some fine work in the tight and some explosive runs, but there were other excellent displays by Smith, Impey and Clarke, whose game is improving each week. Pearce was eventually put free to score after a bulldozing run from the base of the scrum, Morrissey added the conversion, and then continued his contribution with a penalty. Swaffham’s hard work done on the training pitch during the summer months began to bear fruit in the last quarter as the home team began to tire, but although they were now dominant, some desperate defence kept the Broadland line intact.
07/10/06
Swaffham 13 Norwich Union 15
Having narrowly lost by a point to Union at the end of last season the home side were confident in their outlook, but the team that faced Swaffham on Saturday were a different prospect having made a good start to their league campaign. The sun shone for the pre match photograph with new Club sponsors Thurlow Nunn, and a light breeze made playing conditions ideal for an open game. Union took advantage of them first, keeping the ball close in the forwards with short punches upfield and releasing their backs from short range. From a break inside the Swaffham 22 the centres worked an overlap for the winger to score in the corner and five minutes later the visitors extended their lead with another try as the forwards drove Swaffham back from a maul. Swaffhams only reply at this point was a penalty from Morrissey but they hadn't looked like breaking down the visitors solid defence. With their backs to the wall and not playing well, Swaffham struggled to make territory, but one quick ruck and a sweetly judged dummy saw Lines score near the corner. After more sustained pressure Union scored again through their backs as Swaffham continued to give the centres room to run and ended the half 15-8 behind. One of the positives of this Swaffham side is that they have the ability and belief to come back from these setbacks, and in the second half looked the team most likely to score.
Swaffhams defence began to stifle the Union backs and as the forwards became more confident, the game began to flow as the rucks were cleared to give quicker ball for the backs to make ground. After a crunching tackle in the centre dislodged the ball from a Union player, Swaffham put together the best passage of play involving some surging forward drives. The backs handling was impressive and ended with Thurlow Nunn's Man of the Match Si Reed finding the space out wide to cruise in at the corner. With the score at 13-15 the conversion was missed and it looked like it may be too late for Swaffham to rescue the match, but Union started to panic and gave away penalties at almost every breakdown. Swaffham were well on top and had one final chance to take the points from a penalty in front of the posts 30 meters out. Unfortunately the kick drifted wide and although there were still a few minutes left, the chance had gone and although they worked hard for the score, everyone knew that Swaffhams final effort would be in vain.
09/09/06
Swaffham 5 Ely 12
Swaffham have good reason to feel disappointed after coming close to defeating a side they have failed to beat for several years. Ely began stronger, and made good use of their heavier and more experienced pack, but good defensive work kept the scoreline blank for the first twenty minutes. Eventually Ely broke through from deep in their own half, and a couple of weak tackles allowed them to score under the posts for a seven point lead. Rather than dejected, Swaffham seemed to be lifted by this setback and started to play good rugby, culminating in a well worked move in the backs which gave Pearce the space to score in the corner. The conversion was missed and Swaffham went into the break 5-7 down but still looking capable of winning this evenly balanced encounter.
Swaffham were still having their break when Ely scored within seconds of the restart to take a 12-5 lead, but with a full 40 minutes to go the second half still had plenty to offer. Ely were able to put sustained pressure on the Swaffham forwards in the scrum but they showed great character and determination and replied by winning clean line out ball and disrupting Ely’s at every opportunity. Gradually, Swaffham began to work their way back into the game and in the final quarter started to challenge for the lead. A missed penalty in front of the posts from 25 meters out made their task more difficult but within minutes Pearce came close to scoring again in the corner. Ely repelled the attack and almost stole a breakaway try but some last ditch tackles kept them out, and Swaffham returned to the offensive. Ely were on the back feet and frantic defence was forcing them to concede penalties on a regular basis. Swaffham made a last ditch attempt but were bundled into touch with the line beckoning as the referee called no side to end a game which could, and perhaps should, have been drawn.
23/09/06
Swaffham 17 Norwich 2nds 15
Three first half tries from Swaffham put the game out of reach for Norwich who made a stirring comeback deep into the second half, but too late to deny Swaffham a well deserved and confident victory. The team are beginning to play with more fluency, and the forwards rucking game produced a lot more possession for the backs to express themselves. Swaffham went ahead after just five minutes when a driving maul pushed Norwich 15 meters backwards to their own line, and Harris peeled off at the last minute to drop over the line 10 meters from touch. Norwich were obviously stunned by Swaffham’s forwards but were unable to do much about their superior play in the loose, and after a series of quick rucks, Clarke supplied their strong running support players with good ball for Chamberlain to score near the posts. The conversion was suprisingly missed, but Swaffham continued to dominate play and were never threatened until late in the half when Norwich took an unsuccessful attempt at goal to put points on the board. Swaffham finished the half strongly and after some good handling by the backs, Reed cruised through the defence to score near the corner. A change of kicker saw Morrissey successful with the extra points and Swaffham ended the half 17-0 ahead.
The second half was less one sided as Swaffham tired. Injuries forced several changes, which seemed to result in a spate of penalties against the home side from which Norwich finally got onto the score sheet. Slack tackling gave them more incentive and they finally managed to make some space for their pacey wingers to score under the posts. With the successful conversion there was now only seven points between the teams, but Swaffham still looked favourites for the victory. The loss of Thurlow Nunns Man of the Match Sam Allott through injury, weakened the Swaffham defence and then started to give away even more penalties while in attack. They did manage to put together some good moves but a slight panic in defence, late in the game, allowed Norwich to score wide out for an unconverted try. Norwich were sensing victory and pushed hard for the winning try but with Buckenham solid at the back Swaffham held firm for their first win of the season and something to build on.
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