Hadleigh have had many recent challenges in recruiting new players and have had to play games with players out of position and a minimal bench. The tides, however, are starting to turn in the club's favour and this means they are now competing on a more level playing field with other clubs in EC1 South.

After the narrow loss of an earlier miserable away game at Felixstowe during Biblical rain and wind storms, Hadleigh Rams dug deep to take this game 14-7 at Layham Road.

With the Rams scoring in the first seven minutes through No.10, Redmore and the conversion from Manthorpe, you would think a win is a given. Not so here.

The beauty of this game was the herculean defence from both sides throughout the whole 80 minutes. It was to be a strategic game of chess and on the hour Felixstowe fought back with a try and conversion of their own.

The Rams had quite a few chances with break-aways down the blind side but the off-loads never quite made it.

Every small battle was being fought ferociously at the rucks and mauls with Hadleigh No.7 Zac Kerr always in the middle digging away and backed up by some sturdy partnerships with the likes of Long, Cobb, Scarfe and Lloyd on hand.

The Hadleigh backs were being ably fed by No.9 Jamieson who was always quick to spot a gap for the backs and centre Clemence, Full back, Manthorpe, and wing Moore were always keen to exploit them.

The tension was palpable from the roar and sigh of the good home crowd at Layham Road, never more so than when Clemence broke through the solid Felixstowe defense in the last few minutes to score the winning try for the Rams.

After the cheers subsided, Manthorpe added the points for the final 14 -7 win.

Next week Hadleigh Rams travel to Thurston in a bid to securing a creditable top half finish to their season.