Report by Jon Hood - Wymondham RFC

Facing off in the league for the first time since 2019 Wymondham claimed the local bragging rights in this hotly contested local derby, played between two sides of predominantly home grown talent.

Before kick off the packed balcony observed a minute’s silence for David Everitt, Norwich stalwart and friend of Norfolk rugby, who sadly passed away recently.

The game started at a decent lick, with big tackles coming in as both sides tested their opponents mettle. Wymondham dominated the early territory and on 10 minutes young number 8 George Wadham picked up from the base of a scruffy wheeling scrum and burst over from 10 meters out, Charlie Delaney converting.

Wymondham continued to press, working the phases but meeting resolute Norwich defence however on 20 minutes a series of muscular forward drives to the line made room for fullback Elliot Foley to crash over for Wymondham’s second, Delaney’s conversion attempt hitting the post.

The visitors reply came straight from the kick off when the home three quarters strayed offside and fly half Jake Christian-Goss kicked an excellent long range penalty. The remainder of the half, played in worsening wet and blustery conditions, saw play seesaw between the 22’s with neither side able to break through and both struggling to stay on the right side of the referee’s whistle. 12 - 3 at the break meant it was all still to play for.

With their coach’s words ringing in their ears Norwich made a lively start to the second half, attempting to run the ball despite the even heavier rain but unable to decisively break the gain line. By contrast Wymondham were proving lethal in the red zone and when prop Boggan half charged down an attempted clearance kick it was fielded by Foley, who set Shawn Blyth away on a 40 meter arcing run to score in the corner with Delaney’s conversion attempt again hitting the post.

Norwich applied pressure from the restart, forcing the home side into a period of scrambling goal line defence however Delaney was able to break the siege with a clever kick to set winger Jordan Mustard away on a run to the corner. Two quick rucks later and Boggan was unstoppable from 2 meters for the bonus point try, Delaney adding the extras.

Wymondham’s fifth came when Wadham took a quick tapped penalty, pinballing his way through a retreating defence to bag his second. Norwich’s most potent attacking option was their driving line out and in the final play of the match they finally secured one 5 meters out allowing second row Mike Batty to bundle over.       

The relative reactions of the two teams at the final whistle told their own story, with Wymondham securing their first win over their visitors since 2012.