U15s Suffolk Cup Final 2009
Colchester U15s showed grit and quality by coming from behind against Sudbury to win the Suffolk Cup by 40 points to 22 at Mill Lane on Sunday 22 March. Sudbury played their part in a tough but fair contest played in beautiful sunshine on a hard, fast pitch that rewarded flowing, running rugby by both teams.
In the first half, Sudbury got off to a great start. With the wind behind them, they put Colchester under pressure from the word go and were soon 3-0 up from a well taken penalty goal. Colchester could not respond and two tries followed, one of which was converted, to leave Sudbury 15-0 ahead on merit.
Late in the half, after sustained pressure, Colchester scored their first points as centre Dan Withers went over from short range for a try converted by Sam Edwards to leave the half-time score at 15-7 to Sudbury.
Coach Rod Craig gave the boys a lift at half time with some well chosen words and in the second half Colchester came out with renewed confidence. Their forwards began to take control and it was difficult for Sudbury to keep the pressure on. With a steady supply of good possession, Colchester’s backs showed their flair and left wing Ryan Barnes put Colchester within 3 points with a try in the corner – a difficult kick and the only one Sam Edwards missed all afternoon. Colchester went ahead as they scored almost from the restart through a try from open-side Charles Hayes-Burt and for a while they looked as though they would run away with the game. Three more tries – all converted by Sam Edwards – followed from Charles again, Sam James on the right wing, and finally Dan Withers who capped a fine display by intercepting near halfway and racing to the posts to score. The score was now 40-15 to Colchester, and with the disappointment of conceding an interception try from an attacking position, it would have been easy for Sudbury to crumble. However they showed real pride and spirit in the last few minutes and scored the final points of the game with another try under the posts, which was converted to make the final score 40-22.
The day belonged to Colchester. Having started the season by winning the Suffolk Sevens at RHS, the team have showed that they can achieve the same level of success as their older and younger counterparts at the club.
Colchester
Euan Arnold, Will Johnson (c), Dan Glozier; Adam Smith, Dylan Caleno, Alex Nicolic, Jack Dufficy, Charles Hayes-Burt.
Jack Martin, Joe Tarrant, Sam Edwards, Dan Withers, Julian Chamberlain, Ryan Barnes, Alex Hindle.
Replacements: Sam Ackerman, Thomas Bailey, Jack Edwards, Sam James, Jack Walsh, James West, George Buckland.
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