WOODBRIDGE 37

CLACTON 12

Suffolk Cup semi-final

CLACTON'S hopes of making their first-ever appearance in the final of the Suffolk Cup were thwarted when they came up against a useful Woodbridge side.

Trailing by three tries to one at half-time, the Seasiders pulled one back in the second half before a two-try salvo in the closing stages finally sealed matters for the home side.

Things were always going to be difficult for the visitors when they found themselves without the experience of Tyler Fitzpatrick, Lee Amman, Lee Turner and Tom Cox.

Woodbridge made a dream start, capitalising on some defensive dithering to go under the posts within two minutes.

However, their jubilation was tarnished when Jon Vine slipped one tackle and then outpaced their defence three minutes later.

Elliott Shuttleworth's conversion meant the teams were level and the scores stayed that way until halfway through the first half.

The home side were awarded a penalty on the 22-metre line and they accepted the three points on offer.

After one or two feisty exchanges, both sides were reduced to 14 men leading up to half-time and it worked to the home side's advantage.

A try in the left corner stretched their lead by five points and another one four minutes later made the score 20-7 at the change round.

Ten minutes after the restart, Clacton's Shane Jerram bundled his way over the Woodbridge try-line to reduce the deficit, but the home side were on top territorially.

Clacton were penalised for offside on their own 22-metre line on 67 minutes and the successful conversion made the score 23-12.

With five minutes to go, another penalty opportunity was missed but the home side then wrapped things up with two converted tries, the last one proving to be the final play of the day.

Woodbridge now move on to play Southwold in the final on March 18.

For Clacton, it is a return to league action this coming Saturday when Millwall make the trip to Vista Road. Kick-off is at 3pm.

Clacton's Kestrels return to action as well after a week's break and they have a trip to Ipswich for a friendly. They also kick-off at 3pm.