Woodford 29 Letchworth 11 Letchworth were beaten again to remain in the bottom half of the London Two North. They looked to have buried their demons with a bright opening quarter, but were exposed as the Woodford pack imposed themselves, marshalled by the

Woodford 29 Letchworth 11

Letchworth were beaten again to remain in the bottom half of the London Two North.

They looked to have buried their demons with a bright opening quarter, but were exposed as the Woodford pack imposed themselves, marshalled by their number eight, back at the club after two seasons of National League.

An early Letchworth penalty to the corner created pressure.

Woodford committed further offences as they tried to stem the tide but the advantage was played for Gavin Donald to score the opening try with a break blind and dummy.

Letchworth pressed from the restart, stringing together good continuity. Woodford continued to infringe and Donald stepped up to punish them with another penalty goal.

Woodford fired back, making their first foray into Letchworth territory.

A lineout 15m out became a maul which crept inexorably closer to Letchworth's line.

Resistance crumbled to allow an untypical pushover score.

Letchworth needed to gather and fight back and their cause was dented by a sin binning for Simon Hill as he exchanged pleasantries with his opposite number.

Woodford's nine followed Hill to the bin shortly after, for an equally innocuous offence but Letchworth missed the Kiwi's power as they failed with two attempts to drive over lineouts themselves.

Donald kicked a third attempt to extend the lead. This was shortlived as Woodford pulled back three points of their own.

Half time came with Letchworth holding a slender one-point lead which was not enough reward for the possession and territory.

The home side came out of the blocks quicker and gave an object lesson in finishing with their first sustained attack.

Their right winger had space to fend off the tackle and go in for the try. The conversion crept over to add an extra two points.

Changes were made, with youngster Scott Quarmby entering the fray. His first contribution was to become a nightmare.

Under little pressure, he stubbed his clearance kick along the ground to the opposition winger, injuring himself in the process.

The scrambling defence never got back to make amends and bodies were left scattered on the ground as Woodford's centre crossed under the posts.

Letchworth never recovered from this blow, remaining under pressure for the rest of the match. They were lucky to concede only one further score as dusk descended.

With no scheduled first team match this weekend, Letchworth's second string will be entertaining Poblenou Enginyers from Barcelona in Greene King League action.