RAVENS MATCH REPORTS

BRAINTREE II 17 COLCHESTER RAVENS 20
Saturday 5 March

A strong Colchester second string team, including regular first team pair Roy Abrehart and Ed Merry both trying out their fitness after long-term injury, travelled to Braintree amidst the rain and snow expecting every phone call to be the one cancelling the match. 

Starting with the elements at their backs, the Ravens dominated the first half.  With their pack out-scrummaging the home side for almost the entire game, the Braintree fly-half was getting no quality ball and found catching any pass difficult, very few kicks found touch and Colchester never missed an opportunity to punish these mistakes by gaining territory at every turn.  Colchester’s continued pressure paid off after Braintree had managed to turn a scrum 5 metres from their own line.  However, it was one of very few scrums they won against the superior Colchester pack.  Winning the reset scrum against the head, the ball was gathered by Abrehart who dived over the line from close range. 

Colchester’s second try came from some excellent passing.  Moving the ball from left to right Braintree’s defence was stretched thin and when Colchester’s backs quickly recycled the ball, Chris Allen came from deep to crash into the remaining defenders.  The fitness of the Ravens pack showed as they were the first to the breakdown to drive Allan over the line.  A succession of penalties allowed Braintree to make their one and only foray into the Colchester half in the first period, but an attempted chip forward was gathered by Allan and cleared to safety.  A penalty from Allen right in front of the posts gave Colchester a 0-13 lead at half time, a score line that did not reflect the way they had outplayed the hosts. 

Braintree with the conditions now on their side started to mount some pressure in the second half.  A kick ahead from Colchester was gathered by the Braintree full-back, easily the home side's most threatening player, who split the Colchester defence apart.  Running half the length of the pitch and with only Allen to beat he released his wing to cross the line and score under the posts, the fly-half converting.  Braintree then reduced the arrears to 3 points soon after the restart.  A penalty allowed the fly-half to secure a line out 5 metres from the Ravens line.  Colchester’s forwards disrupted well but the loose ball was hacked on by Braintree.  Merry touched down over his own try line but was adjudged to have received the ball from a pass by scrum half John Jeffrey.  From the resulting 5 metre scrum the ball went wide to the right wing for his second try of the game. 

With the conditions against them, Colchester found it impossible to use their speedmen on either wing who either cleared up kicks from Braintree or chased kicks from Colchester.  It was, however, a speculative cross field kick from Allen that led to Colchester’s third try, gathered on the second attempt by left wing Matthew Francis who managed to work his way to within yards of the try line before being brought down.  The ball was kicked forward and both Jeffery and Merry dived onto it, Jeffery claiming the first touch and Allan converting.  It seemed this would wrap the game up but Braintree weren’t done yet.  A long clearance up field was gathered again by the Braintree full-back who’s mazy running was the only real problem for Colchester’s defence.  This time as he crossed the 22 he passed inside to the replacement centre who was caught and brought down by Merry yards from the line, but it wasn’t enough, passing well out of the tackle the supporting scrum half went over the line to once more make it a 3 point game. 

That was the last chance either team had to attack as Colchester drove the restart out of play for the referee to call time on what can only be described as a gritty performance in very difficult conditions.  Captain Steve Collins can be well pleased with the way his team took the game to the hosts and continued to battle the elements for the full 80 minutes. 

Colchester Ravens: Abrehart, Bradley, Brewster, Steward, Brown, Rule, Beales, Tanner, Jeffrey, Flanagan, Francis, J Sawtell, Collins, Merry, Allen.

Tries: Abrehart, Allan, Jeffrey
Cons: Allen 1 (from 3)
Pens: Allen 1 (from 1)

               
Photos by Tony Floyde

COLCHESTER RAVENS 19 ELY I 22
Saturday 15 January

Colchester's second string welcomed Ely's first team for a friendly.  Ely arrived a man short so they were leant Marcus Sherifi, and ironically he opened the scoring after 10 minutes to put Ely in the lead.  The Ravens hit back through Essex University captain Paul Partrick, and went into the lead after a powerful drive by prop Paul Strelitz saw him cross the line.  Just before half time a short range penalty was driven over by the Ely forwards to level the scores at 14-14 at the break.

Colchester regained the lead through hooker Stuart Bradley, playing his first game for the Ravens, but Ely again levelled the scores.  With the game seemingly destined for a draw, Ely won the game with a drop goal that turned out to be the last kick of the match.

Tries: Partrick, Strelitz, Bradley
Cons: Allen 3 

THAMES I 14 COLCHESTER RAVENS 29
Saturday 6 November

Despite having an unfamiliar line-up Colchester Ravens continued their good start to the season with a strong performance against Thames I, a team who play in the league below Colchester ’s first team.  Playing up the slope in the first half Colchester found themselves initially under intense pressure from a big Thames pack who kept the ball tight tried to exploit their superior scrummage.  

This pressure was rewarded by a pushover try followed by a further try only a few minutes later when some poor defence allowed the No8 for Thames to score an easy try. With both tries converted this left Colchester facing a 14-0 deficit after only 20 minutes.  

After this initial period Colchester began to work their way back into the game and a loose kick was run back by centre Tyrone De Silva after which the ball was switched to the opposite wing where Danny Johnston took the scoring pass to touch down under the posts. The conversion by Dan Howson to make the score 14-7 at half-time.  

After the break it became obvious that Thames big forwards were tiring rapidly and Colchester began to up the pace of the game. With Ian Flanagan using the boot to good effect to gain field position Colchester mounted a number of attacks only to see the final pass go astray. Eventually Colchester did score through a penalty from Howson however with 20 minutes to go they were still 4 points down.  

Finally, Colchester ’s endeavour paid off and after a number of rucks the ball was passed to De Silva who crossed for Colchester ’s second try which was again converted by Howson. Colchester had now assumed complete control and when a loose kick was run back by Howson to within a few yards of the line he found veteran Roy Abrehart in support who gave the scoring pass to Flanagan to for a try which, with the conversion added, made the game safe for the Ravens.  

The final score also went to Colchester when a driving maul was set up from a line-out and it was that man Flanagan who popped up in the middle to claim his second try.  

Overall this was a good team performance by the Ravens to maintain their record as the club’s most successful side this season and should stand them in good stead for their Essex 2^nd XV cup game at Wood ford next week.

Tries: Johnston, De Silva, Flanagan 2
Cons: Howson 3 
Pens: Howson 1 

COLCHESTER RAVENS 9 DISS II 20
Saturday 30 October

Penalty: Howson 3

COLCHESTER RAVENS 37 CAMBRIDGE II 17
Saturday 16 October

With Colchester having a week off, a number of second team players were being watched to assess their potential in this ECRU Merit Table game against Cambridge II.  Conditions were perfect with no wind and the ground soft.  Cambridge were first to score when a missed tackle allowed the centre to break through, the conversion missed.  A penalty from captain Dan Howson pulled back three points, but with 15 minutes gone the Cambridge backs again exposed the Ravens' defensive frailties with the full back taking a good line to score under the posts, and give his side a 12-3 lead.

Although Cambridge had the upper hand in the backs, the Colchester forwards were dominant in the scrum and the loose, with back rows Chris Daniels and Pat Duffy putting in very good performances.  The Ravens kept Cambridge pinned back in the 22 for much of the half, during which time Howson slotted over three more penalties to level the scores at 12-12 at the break.

A fifth penalty saw Colchester take the lead 10 minutes into the second half, but Cambridge fought back and started to win some good quality possession of their own.  The Ravens were under pressure in their 22, and a dropped pass was pounced upon by Cambridge to score a try and take a two point lead.  Cambridge continued to press forward, but desperate defence managed to keep them out and Colchester weathered the storm and cleared their lines.

Once again Colchester were on the attack, and after a series of drives had been repelled by Cambridge, No 8 Paul Norton forced himself over the line for Colchester's first try.  Howson's sixth penalty saw the lead extended to eight points before two late tries by substitute hooker Shane Manning and centre James Sawtell gave Colchester a 37-17 win that was an unfair reflection of the quality of Cambridge's play, but it gave Colchester two valuable Merit Table points, and Howson a personal tally of 22 points from the game.

Tries: Norton, Manning, J Sawtell
Cons: Howson 2 
Pens: Howson 6 

NORTH WALSHAM II 58 COLCHESTER RAVENS 8
Saturday 9 October

Try: Whalley
Penalty: Howson

COLCHESTER RAVENS 34 UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX 24
Wednesday 6 October

Colchester Ravens took on the University of Essex in the annual Town vs Gown fixture, and between them they produced a very entertaining game with 10 tries.  The University, who were using the game to try out players for their BUSA first team, started by winning their own kick-off, and after quick rucks the ball was swiftly passed to the left wing who touched down in the corner with barely a minute on the clock.

The Ravens were fielding a mixed team that included a couple of first teamers, a few thirds and three Veterans, and they had hardly composed themselves when the University struck again to score under the posts, the conversion giving them a 12-0 lead.  Colchester got a grip on themselves and won a lineout on the University's 22.  The ball was caught and a fast drive proved unstoppable with prop Pete Robertson claiming the try.

The Ravens had the better of the rest of the half, keeping the University at bay and scoring two more tries through scrum half Simon Lant and captain James Merry, who was guesting for the club having come over from New Zealand for a couple of weeks to visit his family.  

The second half started with Colchester 17-12 ahead, but the University were quickly on level terms after a try from a catch and drive.  Five minutes later the students went ahead after an interception saw a score under the posts, the conversion taking them to a 24-17 lead.  However, the more experienced club players began to get the upper hand, while the University struggled to find continuity with constant substitutions in a effort to give everyone a game.  Tries by Max Cochrane and Ed Merry took the Ravens three points ahead, then a break by fly-half Ian Flanagan created Ed Merry second and Colchester sixth try for a 34-24 victory.  

It was a very entertaining game played in good spirit, allowed to flow by referee Richard Campbell.  The University will now concentrate on their BUSA league programme, but there is the possibility of students turning out for the All Blacks on spare weekends, while Colchester members Jay Duder, Paddy Francis and Lawrence Tapper may well turn out in University colours when club commitments allow.

Tries: Robertson, Lant, J Merry, Cochrane, E Merry 2
Cons: Flanagan 2 (6)

ROCHFORD HUNDRED II 12 COLCHESTER RAVENS 25
Saturday 2 October

Tries: Francis 2, Daniels
Cons: Howson 2
Pens: Howson 2

COLCHESTER RAVENS 52 IPSWICH MAGPIES 7
Saturday 25 September

After the disappointment of calling off their game last weekend, Colchester Ravens put in a dominant performance to beat Ipswich Magpies 52-7 in the ECRU Merit Table.  James Nunn returning from injury showed that he was ready to be considered for a first team place, and centres Max Cochrane and Paddy Francis looked very confident in midfield, Cochrane scoring a hat trick as did wing Marcus Sherifi.  Dan Howson kicked 5 conversion and 4 penalties for 22 points.

ECRU Merit Table
Tries: Cochrane 3, Sherifi 3
Cons: Howson 5
Pens: Howson 4

COLCHESTER 27 ROCHFORD HUNDRED HARTS 17
Saturday 11 September

Essex 2nd XV Cup First Round
Tries: Francis 2, Cochrane, Jones, Cammock
Cons: Sawtell 1

IPSWICH YM 0 COLCHESTER RAVENS 34
Saturday 4 September

Colchester Ravens had their first game of the season on Saturday, travelling to Ipswich YM to play their first team as part of YM President Sandy Sanders' 80th birthday celebrations.  A powerful display saw them win 34-0, with all the tries coming from the backs.  Fly half Mark Sawtell had a personal tally of 21 points with 2 tries, 4 conversions and a penalty, full back Paddy Francis scored a try and a drop goal, and the fourth try came from Max Cochrane who joined Colchester from Clacton over the summer.

Correction: Kier Blacker scored a try and not Paddy Francis

Tries: Sawtell 2, Blacker, Cochrane
Cons: Sawtell 4
Pens: Sawtell 1
DGs: Francis 1

Copyright © 2005 Colchester RFC.
Last updated 06 March 2005