Final Eastern Counties Cup:
Latest Match Report: Colchester 8 Shelford 5
As most people know, Cup Finals, whatever the sport, be they quarter, semi or the final, are a different thing all together. This team has certainly learnt that lesson this season and with 15 of the Cup 22 and several others in the squad who will be still Colts age next year, it should be a lesson well learnt.
Despite beating Shelford quite easily in both a friendly and a qualifying cup match earlier in the season, Colchester knew that this would be a completely different ball game. Shelford's first team is in the top 3 of London 1 so any notion that their Colts would ever be easy was readily dismissed. The biggest problem for Colchester in the lead up to this match was not being able to get teams to play us. Since our National Cup win over Rosslyn Park some 9 weeks ago, the full Cup team has only been able to play 2 fixtures. Colchester had not had a match in 3 weeks leading up to this match with the last 2 weeks seeing opponents cry off at the last moment. We were rusty and lacking hard match fitness and to some extent it showed.
The first half saw Colchester with a strong wind at their backs, but like Shelford late in the second half, did not really use it to good effect. Colchester did all the attacking early on but the support play was not up to the usual standard. Shelford's defence, however, was excellent and they repelled all our early raids. With about 10minutes to go in the half Shelford’s centre stepped through our defence to score out wide, the conversion missed. Colchester again attacked and strangely turned down a penalty shot directly in front on the 22 and tapped the ball only to be turned over. Half time and Shelford led 5-0 and Colchester well and truly knew they were in a final now.
The second half into a fierce wind began badly in many ways. A high ball was fumbled (a scene to be repeated far too many times) and in the scramble to clear, winger Kyle Hutchins was tackled and fell awkwardly whilst kicking the ball. Thankfully a serious injury was averted but the match had to be transferred to an adjacent pitch whilst treatment was sought. For the next 10 to 15 minutes Shelford intelligently kicked for territory at every opportunity, using the wind and aided by our poor handling we were unable to mount any real challenge. In this time Shelford missed two shots at goal, one hitting the post. Shelford were slowing the ball at every opportunity and for the most part of the match were allowed to get away with it, this meant we really didn’t get quick quality phase ball when needed. The last 20 minutes was a different story, pretty much all Colchester attacking and Shelford desperately defending. Eventually after multiple penalties, the referee clamped down on Shelford slowing the ball and one of their players was sin-binned. Colchester had already turned down several goal attempts to attack for a try and this time James Mitchell’s deft offload saw Ben Jones go over in the corner with 15 minutes to go. The conversion just missed and the score was 5-5.
Colchester continued to attack into the wind and several promising raids came to end with nothing to show. Centre Toby Shadarevian twice cut through the opposition, as did fly half Chris withers only for the movement to break down or the pass go astray. With 3 minutes to go further Shelford indiscipline was punished with a player sin-binned just as the other went back on. With time up and Colchester on the attack, Shelford gave away another penalty about 35m out to the right of the posts and into the wind. Calmly centre David Higgins stepped up and ignoring the enormity of the situation, slotted the ball between the posts to give Colchester an historic first ever win in the Eastern Counties Cup.
Perhaps in this game a draw may have been a fair result but at the end of the day Colchester came from behind, into the wind and showed true guts and character to get up and win the game. Without doubt Colchester have been the best team in the Cup all season and this was a thoroughly deserved and fitting win. It was an excellent match; Shelford well and truly played their part in that, between two of the best teams in the country let alone the region. Shelford making the top 16 in the National Cup and Colchester the top 8 speaks volumes about the two teams.
After an incredible season of 20 wins from 21 matches, averaging 34 points for to 6 against, this team deserves all the accolades thrown at them. To all the boys in the squad not just the cup team, congratulations on a fantastic season. The support by those not selected and the positive attitude of those bench players each week made this a truly great team. To those coming back to us next year, we can’t wait to see what the season holds. To those moving on to senior ranks or University we wish you all the best in your chosen endeavours and hope to see you as frequently as possible.
Well-done guys!
Semi-Final Eastern Counties Cup:
Match Report: Colchester 60 Bury St Edmunds 6
For Colchester, this Semi-final of the Eastern Counties Cup, was all about moving on from the "Disaster at Dudley" and getting back to doing what the team had been doing all year. From the outset Colchester stamped their authority on the match with flanker Dan Whiteman scoring the first of his hat-trick after only 2 minutes. With the wind behind them, Colchester were able to play territory and put Bury under intense pressure. Bury were playing a blitz defence in an attempt to nullify the brilliance of the Colchester backline, so Colchester adjusted and kept the ball close to the forwards. The forwards responded magnificently by dominatng set pieces and breakdowns. Scrum half Kyle Hutchins was able to dart over for Colchester's second try and when Bury resorted to kicking at every opportunity, winger Jon Vine came into his own. Vine counterattacked brilliantly, scoring two tries of his own down the left wing and setting up Ollie White for another. Dan Whiteman was on the end of another Vine rampage to burrow over in the corner on the stoke of half time, 36-6 the score and the full bench were put on. Bury with the wind at their backs had all the territory for the first 15 minutes of the second half as Colchester struggled for rhythm with all the changes. The defence, however, was first class and held firm. Colchester's outside backs finally got some ball and Withers, Shadaravien and Higgins cut the opposition to shreds leading to tries to centre Shadaravien, winger Connorton, fullback Foster and one more to flanker Whiteman.
The entire 22 and indeed the whole squad are to be congratulated on playing so positively after such disappointment. It would be remiss not to mention the excellent officiating, with the referee taking a backseat and allowing the players to play open entertaining rugby, such a welcome sight. Credit also to Bury who never stopped trying and fought to the final whistle.
Good luck to Sam Foster who heads to Australia tomorrow to play some rugby over there. Sam has been a huge influence on the team (mostly good!) and we wish him well on his trip. Next week we are on the exchange hoping to get a match in before the final of the Eastern Counties Cup which will be at Home on Sunday 20th April against Shelford.
