By Mark Elliot

Stevenage proved too strong for Welwyn in this local league derby on Saturday. During a one-sided first half, Welwyn persisted in kicking the ball to Stevenage in open play whose dangerous backs took full advantage, running in tries form deep positions through a combination of excellent support and good finishing. County winger Ian Crompton and veteran Samoan hooker Tavita Famaousili helped themselves to a hat-trick of tries each and the game was effectively over as a contest long before half time.

Playing down the slope in the first half, Stevenage took an early lead with a converted try only for James Littlejohn to keep Welwyn in the hunt minutes later with a straightforward penalty goal. Welwyn's kicking tactics and ineffective tackling presented Stevenage with three virtually identical tries within the space of fifteen minutes and Welwyn faced an uphill struggle, trailing by 24-3. Youngsters Dave Wells and James Littlejohn had some good moments for Welwyn during a difficult first half and the rejuvenated and Andy Hawkins coped well with some difficult ball at the base of the Welwyn scrum. Andy Smith coped well with his speedy opposite number Michael Wilson, but it was Ian Crompton on the right wing who caused Welwyn most of their problems. A quick and deceptively strong winger, Crompton proved very difficult to bring down time after time.
Just before half time James Littlejohn converted another penalty to bring the score to 29-6 at the interval.

William Freeston replaced Ed Whittam at half time and with the benefit of the considerable slope, Welwyn proved more competitive in the second period. Backs coach Phil Waters then shuffled the backs around with Peter Elliott moving into the centre, Littlejohn moving to fly-half and Yourgos Alexander completing the game at full back. The change did not seem to help Welwyn's defence with Crompton scoring twice more early in the half breaking through a number of tackles. Head coach Andy Riley then brought Rob James into the back row in place of Andy Hawkins and Alan Crawley replaced Barry Crowe on the left wing. Showing a determined spirit and good fitness, Welwyn dominated the last 15 minutes of the game and scored two forwards' tries through William Freeston and Richard Stokes, with Littlejohn adding a conversion. Other Welwyn highlights in this period include a fine break by centre Danny Creak and a crunching tackle by Stokes on his opposite number Barry Cook.

Welwyn face a tough game next Saturday at home to joint leaders Chingford - kick off at 2.30.

Close match report.

By Peter Bladd

For the second consecutive week Welwyn scored 4 excellent tries, only their efforts on this occasion brought no points reward.

On a pleasant autumn afternoon Welwyn visited new comers to the league Brentwood at their sloping King George Playing Fields home, the host side having to borrow a local sides shirts just before kick off to implement a speedy change in strip required by the referee.

Pre kick off drama over, Brentwood attacked from the start and pinned Welwyn deep into their half, with only excellent Welwyn tackling and the occasional handling error by the home side preventing an opening score. With only 11 minutes on the clock a 5 metre scrum near the Welwyn line and subsequent loose ball resulted in the visitors conceding a penalty and back row man Hawkins provided a 10 minute rest by the referee for killing the ball. Brentwood promptly opened their account.
Despite a man disadvantage Welwyn made much effort to get a foothold into the game, with full back Peter Elliott making an incisive break from his own 22 metre area and combined backs and forwards taking play into the Brentwood 22 for the first time. When play broke down the speedy Brentwood backs punished Welwyn's loose handling and broke down the middle of the pitch with quick interchange passing to score under the Welwyn posts to increase their lead to 10 - 0. With 20 minutes played Bentwood sought to really press their advantage, their backs looking dangerous with ball in hand and only committed Welwyn tackling keeping them from scoring. Even when Welwyn returned to full strength with the return of Hawkins, Brentwood again found space down the middle of the pitch, recycled the ball, eventually spinning it to their right winger who only had to fall over the line to score out wide, the extras being missed on this occasion. Welwyn replied from the kick off and their forwards drove into the Brentwood 22 metre area. After several attacks, Hawkins picked the ball up from the back of a ruck and broke 2 tackles to open Welwyn's account for the afternoon, the following conversion missed to bring the score to 15 - 5. After 32 minutes Brentwood needed to substitute their flanker and continued their efforts to attack deep in the Welwyn half. Continually recycling the ball and having drawn the visiting defence to the right, Brentwood cleverly switched play by passing through the hands to the left allowing their speedy winger to score their 4th try of the afternoon in the corner and too wide to allow the conversion to count. So at half time the score was 20 - 5 to the home side.
Welwyn changes at half time brought Simon Banks on as hooker, but from the restart Brentwood secured possession deep in the Welwyn half and again demonstrated their handling ability swinging the ball first left then right across combined backs and forwards, their right winger scoring to the right of Welwyn's posts to give Brentwood a converted try. From the restart Welwyn built possession on the left and some good drives by locks Picken and Rapley took play within 10 metres of the Brentwood line. Good recycled ball found the Welwyn backs attacking across the pitch and Danny Creak produced excellent footwork to beat 2 Brentwood defenders and send winger Crawley over the score line for an excellent unconverted try. With the score at 27 - 10 Welwyn seemed to gain more determination from this latest effort and again attacked Brentwood. Their reward was firstly a penalty around 25 metres out the kick going marginally wide, followed by a line out catch and drive close to the Brentwood try line resulting in the forwards getting on the score sheet with another Welwyn try, this time the conversion being excellently slotted from out wide to close the score to 27 - 17. With little more than 20 minutes of the game remaining the sides then swopped scores with the Brentwood full back going over for a converted try after some good handling in the backs, closely followed by Welwyn stealing a Brentwood lineout ball in the hosts half and equally good handling produced a try for the left winger Barry Crow, the excellent kick to convert again being made by back row man Wells. So with the score line at 32 - 24 and with Welwyn in the ascendancy as Brentwood forwards appeared to tire the visitors mounted a massive effort to change the outcome of this game. Welwyn had the upper hand and when a Brentwood player was shown yellow for not releasing they redoubled their efforts to win the game. However Brentwood defended stoutly and despite Welwyn's best efforts the visitors were unable to change the final outcome of the competition. Final score 32 - 24 to Brentwood.
Another improved performance from Welwyn who visit local rivals Stevenage next Saturday in the usual hard fought local derby.

Close match report.

By Gary Peterkin

Round 7 of London 1 North campaign saw Welwyn travel to Eton Manor for what promised to be an edgy encounter, given that the 2 sides were in the bottom 2 slots in the League Table at the start of play. And so it proved for much of the game with neither side able to establish any ascendancy. Both sides played some nervy rugby, with aimless kicking exchanges between the 22M areas, and any enterprise generally thwarted by poor handling. Welwyn conceded a penalty on the edge of their 22 to give the hosts an early 3 point lead, but thereafter there was a passage of fairly shapeless play which Welwyn just about dominated without any return, until about 20 minutes in when a ball put deep into Manor's 22 was charged down by Peter Elliott, exerting pressure on the home team's defence from which they concede a penalty for off-side, which Inside Centre James Littlejohn converted to bring the scores level at 3-3.

However, immediately from the restart, some poor handling puts Welwyn back under pressure, and they in turn conceded a soft penalty to allow Manor to regain the lead.

Welwyn performed well in the set piece and Skipper Simon Banks was able to take several Manor scrums against the head. However, on 30 minutes from a Welwyn scrum secured easily enough, No 8 Owen Hopley picked up at the base but was isolated and conceded a penalty. Manor kicked to touch inside Welwyn's 22, and from the ensuing lineout, a simple move and some missed tackles allowed the Manor fly half to score in the right hand corner, taking the score to 11-3. At the same time, the referee, losing patience with Welwyn's persistent infringements at the breakdown, decided to gibe Flanker Andy Hawkins a 10 minute rest, with 5 minutes to go to the interval.

Further opportunities on both side went begging, but Welwyn had the final say of the half when Manor were penalised 30 metres out from their posts, and Littlejohn made no mistake with the kick, to bring Welwyn back to 11-6 at half-time.

Welwyn withstood some concerted pressure early in the second half, but a combination of some resolute defence and some squandered opportunities meant no further points were conceded before Hawkins re-entered the fray to return Welwyn to full strength. However, this changed all too soon when the Hobbs Way side were put under pressure for the first time on their own scrum, Hopley managed to clean up a scrum in Welwyn's 22, but the clearance went only as far as the Manor 7, who was lively all afternoon. Welwyn failed to neutralise this threat, and after 2 additional phases, Manor's big No 4 was able to crash over for a try, duly converted by the fly half to take the score to 18-6, 10 minutes into the second half.

Welwyn responded strongly and pushed deep into Manor territory, the impressive Littlejohn constantly asking questions of Manor's defence and on 20 minutes a clever chip kick yields another penalty inside Manors 22 to give the Welwyn 12 a simple opportunity to add to his tally and take the score to 18-9.

Once again, however, no sooner had Welwyn scored than Manor hit straight back with the simplest of tries from a scrum, straightforward switch move and a try under the posts, to move the score on to 25-9.

The final score of the match came again from the restart. Manor knocked on to give Welwyn put in to a scrum
30 metres out from their posts, the ball popped out of the scrum, Welwyn's No 8 regathered but was penalised for not releasing. Manor's 10 converted the penalty to take the score to 28-9.

Although Welwyn continued to show plenty of endeavour and enjoy their share of possession and territory, the story of their afternoon was too many basic mistakes as successive opportunities broke down due to handling errors.

Nevertheless, in light of their difficult start to the season, and the manner of recent performances, Welwyn will take much heart from a markedly improved team performance, and the prospect of brighter days ahead as they continue through what will continue to be a difficult season.

Next Saturday Welwyn entertain League 1 newcomers Rochford 100 at Hobbs Way.

Close match report.

By Brian Williams

The playing record of a rugby club over the seasons will consist of a series of peaks and troughs. At present Welwyn are in a trough - and, prior to this fixture, conceding points at an average of 63 a game, the trough is a deep one. Two seasons ago Welwyn beat Woodford both home and away but in this game the score was a true reflection of the gap between the sides.

Despite playing with the advantage of a slight slope and a strong breeze, Welwyn were immediately inside their own 22 with Woodford demonstrating the standard qualities for a successful team at this level - namely a big, technically competent forward pack and half backs with the skill to use possession effectively.

Welwyn defended well. Owen Hopley jumped effectively in the line out, enabling his forwards to drive the ball upfield. But this pressure could not be sustained, and Woodford were soon back on the attack. Playing simple, error free rugby, they were soon camped well inside the Welwyn half. Instead of opting to kick an easy penalty from 25 metres, they kicked for touch and from the line out they moved the ball across the field to the right wing who went over in the corner for a try.

From the restart, Welwyn failed to gather a high kick ahead and were penalized in their desperation to regain possession. Woodford kicked the penalty to move 0-8 ahead. Minutes later Peter Elliott was yellow carded for an illegal tackle. Welwyn were now a man down for 10 minutes, but showed plenty of spirit in defending grimly and breaking out for the occasional attack. But it was from one of these that the difference between the two teams was highlighted. From the halfway line, Welwyn kicked ahead and chased the ball deep into their opponents 22. Instead of a safety first kick to touch, Woodford chose to pass the ball as the Welwyn chasers were not there in sufficient numbers. Excellent inter-passing ended with a try under the posts, the move having started from Woodford's own try line. The successful conversion put the visitors 0-15 ahead.

Welwyn were not giving up though, despite having hooker Joel Curry sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. Richard Rapley and Rob Picken ran powerfully, ball in hand, and all the forwards competed ferociously in the all-important break down area. Woodford was penalized and James Turnbull kicked the penalty from 30 metres.

From the restart this good work was undermined when Welwyn failed to catch cleanly. The spilled ball was simply picked and run over for the softest of tries which was converted to make the score 3-22.

Welwyn came back again using their most efficient weapon- the line out take by Owen Hopley followed by a drive. From such a move Rob Picken scored a try with James Turnbull converting. The score now stood at 10-22.

But Welwyn were unable to sustain this short period of dominance. Poor midfield defence let in Woodford's outside half for an easy try to put his side 10- 29 at half-time.

The pattern of the second half replicated the first. Welwyn's forwards were making their taller, heavier opponents work hard at the rucks and mauls - the crucial areas in the modern game. But Woodford's possession was often secured when they were moving forward. This gave their outside half time to move the ball on accurately to his three-quarters. They scored two more tries in the second half, both coming from good handling movements.

In contrast, Welwyn's possession tended to come slowly from a static or retreating position. This makes it extremely difficult to be effective when attempting to open up the game.

Veterans Andy Hawkins and Frankie Sutherland put themselves about in the tackle area. Richard Stokes, a young prop, was a rugged ball carrier and wing Jamie Humphreys showed good pace and determination from limited opportunities. As ever, Owen Hopley was outstanding, playing his all-round game of line out jumper and ball carrier.

When a team has been conceding 63 points a game, it is encouraging to restrict a decent side such as Woodford to 43 points.

Welwyn will play Eaton Manor away on Saturday next.

Close match report.

Westcliff was the only team that Welwyn beat last season, doing so both home and away. They have started the present season very strongly and went into this game with a 100% winning record so Welwyn were under no illusions about the task they faced.

The Welwyn team was;
1)Stokes; 2) Banks; 3) Curry (replaced by Whittam); 4) Rapley; 5) Webb; 6) James; 7) Picken; 8) Hopley (replaced by Page); 9) Harcourt; 10) Alexander; 11) Elliott; 12) Taylor (replaced by Humphries): 13)Creak; 14) Smith; 15) Turnbull.

Westcliff kicked off with a very strong wind blowing down an iron-hard pitch into the face of the Welwyn players. Welwyn replied by driving the ball forward almost up to the 22 but then lost possession with the home side eventually knocking on. From the first scrum it was obvious that the visitors's lighter pack was being pushed backwards and it is a tribute to the front row of Stokes, Banks and Curry, who was replaced in the second half by Whittam, that they never lost possession from their own put in and were unfortunate not to win at least one ball against the head.

After a few minutes play the Westcliff backs made a decisive break to their right but the try was avoided by some excellent defence in front of the posts causing Westcliff to knock on. From the resulting scrum Welwyn tried a clearance kick that came back in the wind and was taken by centre Nick Taylor who was able to take the ball up to half way. The visitors subsequently gained a penalty taking the ball into touch on the 10 m line. The strength of the wind became even more obvious because the ball was not thrown in straight and from the resulting scrum Westcliff cleared up to the Welwyn 22 on their left. Westcliff were penalised from the lineout but the ball could only be cleared into touch gaining only a couple of yards. The visitors were penalised from the restart but the attempted goal kick missed. Westcliff gained possession from the resulting drop out but their cross-field kick was carried directly into touch. The home side regained possession from the lineout and put in a long kick into their right corner where the ball was fielded. by Elliott who sidestepped one opponent before putting in a good clearing kick. From the lineout Westcliff worked the ball along their line to their right with the winger with the winger scoring in the corner. The outside half put over an excellent conversion giving the home team a 7 - 0 advantage after 18 minutes play.

From the ensuing drop out Westcliff gained possession but a promising move to their right was interrupted by an interception by Elliott. After some scrappy play Westcliff took the ball into touch on their left. Again the wind prevented a straight throw in but Westcliff gained possession but their attack to the left was stopped by a knock on. After a Welwyn knock on the home side moved the ball to their right scoring another try in the corner that was again converted giving them a 14 - 0 lead after 24 minutes.

The home team again attacked down their right from the restart but one of the Welwyn defenders was penalised for a high tackle and the resulting kick was successful increasing the lead to 17 - 0. Welwyn then launched a strong attack gaining a penalty that took the ball up to the Westcliff 22. The home team regained the ball and a long clearance took the ball up to the Welwyn 22. It was unfortunate that Welwyn were gaining the majority of throw-ins but the strong wind made it almost impossible to throw the ball in straight although Rapley was working wonders at the front of the line out. The home team often either gained possession from the loose all or was awarded a scrum for the throw in fault. Welwyn regained the ball from one such home team drive but the clearance failed to find touch and the speedy Westcliff backs quickly moved the ball to their left scoring in the corner after 35 minutes play. On this occasion the kick was missed but the lead was increased to 22 -0. From the restart Westcliff collected the ball and one of their second row burst through the Welwyn defence and a try was only averted because he did not pass the ball to a colleague and was tackled knocking the ball on in the process. A little later Westcliff drove towards the try line but were penalised for handling and then taken back 10m for talking. Welwyn took a tap penalty and moved the ball to the right taking it up to the Westcliff 10m line. The promising move was snuffed out when the same second row player again intercepted a pass and ran unchallenged to score at the posts. The easy conversion took the score up to 29 - 0 at half time.

It was hoped that, with the wind behind them, Welwyn would be able to put the home team under the same pressure that they had been under in the first half but this was soon shown not to be the case. After just 3 minutes play a Welwyn throw was not straight but Westcliff gained possession and drove through the defence to score on the left. The kick was not converted but the home side lead increased to 34 - 0.

The restart was a long kick down field that the wind took over the dead ball line. There was some scrappy play from the resulting scrum on the half way but after 47 minutes of the match Westcliff took a quick tap penalty and moved the ball to the left before straightening and scoring under the posts, the conversion taking the score to 41 - 0. The Westcliff backs became more and more aggressive in their running and possession despite good defensive work by the Welwyn side with Danny Creak and James Turnbull outstanding. The Welwyn forwards started to tire and after 60 minutes play a drive resulted in a try under the posts that was duly converted increasing the lead to 48 - 0. Soon after the restart centre Nick Taylor who had made some excellent breaks from defensive positions had to leave the field with a damaged right ankle and was replaces by Jamie Humphries. At the same time Ed Whittam replaced Joel Curry in the front row. . Soon afterwards a Westcliff break on the left resulted in a try near the corner that was not converted but gave the home side a 53 - 0 lead. Immediately after the restart Westcliff moved the ball to their right to score in the corner. The try was again unconverted but the lead was increased to 58 - 0. Rory Page then replaced Owen Hopley who had a damaged ankle. There was no more scoring in the game but Westcliff continued to dominate possession and position. Right at the end Welwyn launched an attack from their 22 but this was halted by a tackle on Rory Page that left him with a broken right fibula.

Although well beaten in both the backs and forwards the entire team played their hearts out and their determination and effort cannot be faulted.

Next Saturday Welwyn are at home to Woodford

Close match report.

It could have been such a good day. The sun was shining and warm for the first Welwyn home match of the season and preceded by an excellent Vice President buffet lunch before kick off which was well attended. However, on the pitch Welwyn struggled to play to anything like the quality of their visitors, and were always going to be the losers in this encounter.

The early encounters provided Welwyn with hope they would be able to compete against a Ruislip side who's record against the Handside Lane team has previously been impressive. But when the visitors right winger burst through the home defence after only 3 minutes to score just right of the posts, the writing was on the wall. A converted try gave the visitors an early lead and from the restart Ruislip's continued drives into the Welwyn defence kept the home side under pressure and scrambling for any scraps of possession. A series of poor handling infringements by Ruislip allowed Welwyn to gain a little momentum, only for the quick Ruislip backs to pounce on a loose ball, spin it wide, recycle the ball with their own free running forwards and score their second try of the afternoon which was converted to give the visitors a 0 - 14 advantage.

Welwyn then attempted to mount their first real attack of the afternoon and drove midfield towards the Ruislip 22 metre line before technical infringements and bad handling halted their efforts. It was at one of these handling errors that Ruislip gained possession, attacked from deep and sliced their way through a rapidly retreating Welwyn defence to score their 3rd converted try of the afternoon. Welwyn, appearing outplayed and outpowered, continued to try hard to compete and showed some flashes of quality both in backs and forwards. Danny Creak at scrum half played particularly with skill and endeavour under extremely difficult circumstances and behind a pack that was under continuous pressure. But Welwyn conceded another 2 trys before half time to finish 0 - 31 down at the break.

With new resolve the home side started the second half clearly wanting to be considered as worthy competitors. The pack operated cohesively and a period of play in the midfield showed that Welwyn could on occasions properly compete with Ruislip. But it appeared that as soon as the ball was lost, Ruislip had the ability to spin it left and right and set up their speedy backs who drove at the heart of the Welwyn defence and who supported each other and recycled the ball as the Welwyn defence tackles were made. This kept the home defence under pressure throughout the second half and time and again they were penetrated first right, then left and had little answer to the Ruislip ability to keep the score board ticking over at pace. Welwyn substitutes were made in an effort to find a solution to the dilemma, but with little effect and Ruislip ran in 6 unanswered tries in the second half to beat a Welwyn side who have much endeavour, flashes of excellence but who for this game in any event were outplayed by a stronger side.

Close match report.

Close match report.