Witham Rugby came out 22-14 victors over local rivals Kelvedon and Feering at the end of a match featuring an excellent rugby performance from Witham but marred by a number of injuries, incidents.

The visitors came with an obvious degree of confidence from a bulky forward pack, which together with the wind running down the pitch, largely determined the nature of both teams’ tactics and the way the game played out, with Kelvedon and Feering focusing mainly on getting first phase ball, then trying to batter through Witham’s defence.

However, Witham were able to challenge a good share of scrums and line-outs, and their superior team-wide breakdown and phase game contained Kelvedon & Feering. This gave them increasing ball for their superior backs and open field play as the game progressed. After a first quarter in which both teams crossed the line and swapped the lead, Witham went on to establish a strong lead with two further converted tries and a penalty from positive, fifteen-man running rugby. Kelvedon and Feering clawed back a late converted try.

Witham Coach Drew Noble commented: “We won this by training and playing together as a full squad, playing good rugby”.
Chairman Lee Bywater added: “Awesome!!”.

Before the match, mascots from Witham’s Minis and Youth sections joined the senior teams for a respectful minute’s silence in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s passing.

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Photo Credit: Gideon Tozer