COLCHESTER U17s 48 – SHELFORD U17s 0
FINAL - EASTERN COUNTIES UNDER 17 CUP
Colchester celebrated winning their first cup of the season on Sunday, with their Under 17s collecting the Eastern Counties Cup with a comfortable 48-0 victory over a game Shelford squad.
The forward pack, with James Gallagher dominating the line-outs, and with Jake Wilson, Lennox Pierre and Joe Horsfall to the fore at the break-downs, laid the foundations with good early ball, and the crowd at Mill Road were treated to an outstanding display of back play.
Colchester started quietly with Shelford offering plenty of resistance, but went ahead after 12 minutes, when fly half Damien Brambley latched on to recycled ball to touch down on the left. Bramley featured in the second when he made a scintillating break, and in his trade mark style, drew a defender to open a gap to put full back, Chris Ketley clear on the right. Centre, Drew Groves added the third with a burst through the middle, and a superb three quarter move put fellow centre, Matt Barnes clear to touch down on the right. Drew Groves scored the fifth when he followed up his own kick ahead to score under the posts. Barnes added the conversion to give a half-time lead of 27-0.
Shelford started the second half with some spirit, and with more possession but their pick and drive moves were well marshalled by the Colchester defence; they were able to put their full back into space, but a splendid last ditch tackle from winger, James Hindle prevented a certain try. Colchester went back on the attack with scrum-half, Gregor Irvine breaking through the middle, before making a deft off-load to his right into the hands of Damien Brambley, who ghosted through the defence for his second try. Barnes converted. The pace slowed as coaches Bob Barnes and Russell Sheldon introduced their replacement players off the bench. But, Chris Ketley added his second with a break through on the left, and finally flanker, Lennox Pierre ran straight through the middle. Barnes converted the last 2 tries to give a final score of 48-0.
In summary, this was a great team performance with all players working off each other. Whilst the moves in attack were of the highest quality, the defence was also quietly impressive.
FINAL SCORE 48-0
SCORERS – TRIES - Brambley (2) Ketley (2) Groves (2) Barnes, Pierre – CONVERSIONS – Barnes (4)