Ford keeps winning in the family at St Edmunds
After his Bury St Edmunds side secured back-to-back victories to kickstart their National Two East season, Jacob Ford watched his older brother George guide England to a World Cup victory over Argentina.
Ford's Bury defeated North Walsham last weekend 50-17 courtesy of tries by William Atfield, William Christie, Ruaraidh Williams, Brayden Porteous, Harry Simpson, Archie Bourne, Lewis Jeffery and George Grigg-Pettitt in a ruthless eighttry display with eight different try scorers.
That followed a narrow 21-20 victory over Old Albanians on the opening day with full back Kodie Drury-Hawkins slotting the match winning penalty.
While director of rugby Ford recognises there are stiffer contests to come, he is pleased with how his side are performing.
“It's great to get two wins on the board to start our season and the performances have been encouraging,” said Ford.
“We'll definitely have tougher games in the coming weeks but it's good to see the boys performing after a long, tough preseason.”
In the past two campaigns Bury have been slow starters and have been forced to make up ground in the second half of the season and despite finishing fifth last season, Ford knows it's vital they put together a strong opening this time around.
He added: “We have started poorly in previous seasons and a lot of that's down to our squad depth and players nursing injuries early on. We've added in key areas and now have healthy competition for places. It's frustrating starting slow because as we've shown in the second half of the season, we know the quality is there and our clear potential.”
Following his post match duties, 25-yearold Ford rushed to Ipswich to find a pub to watch his brother in action.
George Ford was player of the match as he scored all of England's points in their 27-10 victory over Argentina, kicking three drop goals and six penalties.
Jacob, the youngest of three brothers, remembers his brother kicking drop goals in the garden when they were playing together as kids and was immensely proud of the England fly-halves monumental performance in a crucial win in Marseille.
He said: “I was proud, proud of George's performance and the England team as well. I thought it was a big step up from the performance over the summer. There was clear intensity with it being a World Cup game and it was a nice feeling watching him shine out there.
“It's definitely got to be up there as one of George's best ever performances. I'm sure he'll say he wants to work hard and improve in each game but a great performance and looking forward to seeing him against Japan.
“Every time I speak to George or players in and around the England camp they always say what a tight knit group they are and they want to play for each other and for England. They really do believe in what they play and you put the element of it being a World Cup game then it's easier to perform.”
