COLCHESTER 38 TENDRING BARBARIANS 15
2 September 2003 

Colchester's annual game against the Tendring Barbarians produced nine tries in an entertaining season opener.  Tendring were led by Clacton's Lee Amman and his team was first on the score sheet after just 4 minutes when winger Dave West (Mersea) took advantage of an overlap to touch down in the left corner.  A James Gee penalty pulled back three points for Colchester before his captain Jay Duder picked up from a five metre scrum and scrambled over for a try, Gee's conversion extending the lead to 10-5.

Tendring fly-half Pete Le Marquand (Mersea) gave his side good territorial advantage with a series of probing kicks until the Barbarians were awarded a line out five metres from the Colchester line.  A catch and drive was set up and scrum half Jake Buxey (Clacton) sniped round the blind side for a try to level the scores.  Colchester hit back with two tries for wing Matt Harwood, the first created by quick hands and full back Darryl Worster coming into the line to create an overlap, and the second through scrum-half Simon Lant making a break, passing to flanker Neil Hamilton who drew his man before passing to Harwood in support on the inside.  

Turning around 20-10 down, Tendring started the second half well with the pack driving forward and the backs making good ground.  Both teams looked evenly matched until the deadlock was broken by Duder taking the ball from a close range penalty and scoring in the corner.  A Gee penalty on the hour saw Colchester go 29-10 ahead, but the final 20 minutes saw the game really open up as the players started to run the ball at every opportunity.  The enterprising Barbarians increased the pace of the game but could not quite find a way through the defence, and it was Colchester who scored next spreading the ball wide for right wing Ed Merry to touch down.  Soon after the very impressive Worster sped down the wing before passing inside to Dan Vipond to score, but the final word deservedly went to Tendring Barbarians when a flowing move upfield was finished of by man of the match Jake Buxey scoring his second try.

The game was an excellent showcase for local rugby which the good-sized crowd thoroughly enjoyed, and the clubs involved can now concentrate on the new season ahead.

Proceeds from games are donated to The Wooden Spoon Society