Sunday 24 April
Colchester
travelled to Northampton on Sunday missing a few key players, but looking
for a win in their final game of the season. On a warm but otherwise perfect
day for rugby the U13s started brightly but it was soon clear that this
would not be an easy game.
Without Daniel Clark's calming influence at fly half (we also missed the
hair gel and lipstick Clarky) the Colchester backs looked disorganised and
ragged, but after 5 minutes Charlie Sadler spotted a gap and raced through
for the first try of the game under the posts, Matt Barnes converting. ON's
then suddenly woke up and put Colchester on the rack for the next 20 minutes
with some superb driving forward play, dominating the lineout with their
tall second row and quick back play, although very poor tackling contributed
to their two tries before half time. For the first time this season
Colchester turned around at half time trailing their opponents with the
score at 7 -12.
Changes at half time included "Pumping" Dan Manley coming on in the front
row and Tom Robertson playing on the flank (for the first time ever, as
opposed to his normal position at No.8). With the wind and the slope behind
them, and Tom now dominating the ONs second row in the lineout, ONs
struggled to contain a rampant Colchester pack, with Joe, Oli, and Tom
making big yardage from their close support play - if only the ball had
stuck to their hands a few more times we could have scored a couple more
tries ! As for Lennox - he just tackled anything that moved, stole ball from
under the oppositions nose and finished the season as he started it -
EXCELLENCE COMES AS STANDARD.
With the forwards dominating Madman Mikey was free to experiment at fly half
and produced probably the worst up and under of the season! However, some
determined chasing by Charlie put the ONs full back under pressure who
fumbled, Charlie collected the ball and passed to Matt to score again under
the posts. With Matt Smith proving a constant menace more pressure and good
phase play produced a try for the Madman right in the left hand corner - no
way was that one going to get converted we thought - up stepped Matt and
coolly slotted the ball between the posts. By now, ONs were having trouble
getting out of their own half, and the Madman scored the softest of tries
close to a scrum just before the final whistle went.
All in all, a good game to finish the season against some strong opposition.
When ONs come down to Colchester next season we know that they will receive
a warm welcome and home support that appreciates good rugby regardless of
which side is playing it.
WEYBRIDGE VANDALS 7s
Sunday 17 April
Colchester U13s added yet another trophy to their collection this season, this time in the 7-a-side version of the game at the Weybridge Vandals tournament.
In the opening game Colchester
brushed aside Aylesford scoring six tries before coming up against a strong
team from Old Elthamians. A tough game brought a two try win, and the U13s
went on to beat Sutton & Epsom and Weybridge to reach the semi finals, where
Sevenoaks offered little resistance against the dominant All Blacks.
So Colchester progressed to the final for a rematch against Old Elthamians
who had beaten Farnham in the other semi final.
Colchester immediately went ahead with two tries from the prolific Charlie
Sadler, but Old Elthamians hit back after half time with try of their own.
Colchester sealed the win with Matt Barnes scoring under the posts after a
superb blind side move. Final score Colchester 21 Old Elthamians 7.
A great days rugby and a superb effort from all ten players who worked
selflessly for each other. A special mention for Michael Haywood who had one
of his best days, controlling the play and creating countless opportunities
with his high work rate and enthusiasm.
Results
Pool Stage
34-0 v Aylesford
12-0 v Old Elthamians
24-5 v Sutton & Epson
24-7 v Weybridge Vandals
Semi Final
24-0 v Sevenoaks
Final
21-7 v Old Elthamians
ESSEX U13 FESTIVAL
Sunday 3 April
Colchester U13s
travelled to Barking to participate for the first time in the Essex U13
Festival and returned victorious beating Westcliff in the final 21-12.
Joe Horsfall opened the scoring after just 18 seconds, catching the ball
from the kick-off and running the length of the pitch to score under the
posts. After good work by the forwards, where Lennox Pierre and Michael
Hayward were as instrumental as ever in their tackle rate and ability to
steal ball, Charlie Sadler scored two further tries to make it 21-0.
However, Westcliffe pulled a try back just before half-time and pressurized
Colchester for most of the second half with the wind pinning Colchester in
their own 22. Fortunately, they were only able to add an unconverted try to
their score.
Earlier in the day, Colchester beat South Woodham Ferrers 19-0, Rochford
20-0, Braintree 19-0 and Brentwood 19-0 (Brentwood went on to lose to
Westcliff in the other semi-final). Colchester were drawn against a
disappointing Chelmsford side in the semi-final, who were comprehensively
despatched 29-0.
Although James Hindle and Ryan Hazel retired hurt, this was very much a
squad effort, with nine individuals scoring tries (Charlie Sadler (8), Matt
Smith (4) and two a piece for William Hogarth-Jones and Lennox Pierre.
Across the whole day Colchester scored an amazing 127 points and only
conceded 12.
A big thank you and congratulations to the whole squad who all played their
part in the Festival - without their contribution we would not have been
able to rotate players throughout the tournament and maintain the levels of
fitness and commitment that the team showed on the day.
Results
Pool Stage
19-0 v South Woodham Ferrers
20-0 v Rochford Hundred
19-0 v Braintree
19-0 v Brentwood
Semi Final
29-0 v Chelmsford
Final
21-12 v Westcliff
SUFFOLK CUP FINAL
SOUTHWOLD U13S 0 COLCHESTER U13s 67
Sunday 6 February
A super-human performance from the Colchester forward pack laid the foundations for a stunning 11 try victory at Southwold and the U13s second trophy of the season.
