Sudbury Vs. Ipswich Festival 27th April 2008
Sudbury U7’s:
The U7s fielded two teams in this year’s festival both losing out in the semi-finals to strong Colchester teams. Sudbury A beat Ipswich C 5-1 in the first pool game with tries for Harry Griffiths (3) Charlie Blackmore and Joe Millar. They drew with a very strong Colchester B team 4-4 with tries for Griffiths (2), Christopher Wilkinson and Blackmore. In the last pool game they played Ipswich A and narrowly lost 3-2 with one try each for Griffiths and Blackmore. In the semi-final they played Colchester A, the best team in the competition, and despite some great defending notably by Felix Haythorn, Josh, Joseph Stiff and James Wilkinson they lost 6 - 0.
Sudbury B made up of the younger players battled hard against older opposition. They lost 6-3 to Colchester A with tries for Adam King, Jack Prior and Harvey Cranllan. In their second game they took on Ipswich B and drew 1-1 with the some excellent tagging from Alasdair Marlow and the solitary try coming from Jack Prior and. In the their last pool game they played a very strong Braintree team and lost 6-2 with tries from Sam Ponty and Jacob Ford. In the plate semi-final the boys exceeded expectations and almost overcame a very combative Colchester B team but ended up losing 7-6 with tries from King, Thomas Svensson, Jim Walker (2), Prior and Cranllan.
Sudbury Under 9s:
Sudbury were drawn in Pool A against Ipswich A, Colchester B and Harwich & Dovercourt. As Harwich & Dovercourt failed to make an appearance, Sudbury offered two teams.
Sudbury A:
Sudbury A 3 - 0 Sudbury B
With Harwich and Dovercourt pulling out, it was a strange start to the tournament for Sudbury, playing against their own team mates. The A team took the lead in the first half with a try from Tom Street, and continued this in the second half with two tries from and Oliver Prout and Sam Green
Sudbury A 4 – 0 Colchester B
A great performance from Sudbury A with a commanding 3-0 win at half time thanks to tries from Sam Green, Charlie Osborn and Tom McAllister. The second half was tighter, with Colchester B coming back into the game. However, Colchester were unable to score and the victory was sealed with a Sudbury try from Tom Baslington.
Sudbury A 0 – 0 Ipswich A
This was a very even hard fought match, with nothing between the teams. Both sides defended exceptionally well, resulting in a 0-0 draw. This put Ipswich through as the Pool winners on scoring the most tries and Sudbury as runners up
Cup Semi Final – Sudbury A 1 – 4 Braintree
Sudbury were drawn against Braintree in the semi-final of the cup and despite a great effort from all the boys, Sudbury were 0-2 down at half time. Braintree’s dominance continued in the second half with two more tries, before Sudbury came back with a try from Sam Green.
Sudbury B
Sudbury A 3 - 0 Sudbury B
See above
Sudbury B 1 - 5 Ipswich A
Ipswich A dominated this game and were 5-0 up at half time. The second half was much closer, with Ipswich unable to add to their lead and with Sudbury coming back with a try from Lewis Howard.
Sudbury B 3 – 2 Colchester B
This was an outstanding performance by Sudbury B. The team worked really hard in a closely fought match. Two early tries from Lewis Howard put Sudbury ahead, but Colchester B came back into the game with two tries. The win for Sudbury B was sealed with a try by Nick Jones. This made Sudbury 3rd in the Pool and went through to the plate semi-final.
Plate semi-final – Sudbury B 5 – 0 Ipswich B
Sudbury B played some great rugby to dominate this game and earn a place in the plate final. By half time Sudbury B were 2-0 ahead, with both tries coming from Will Rodda. In the second half, Sudbury continued their great form and ran in three more tries from Lewis Howard, Kieron Hookway and Jonathon Hall.
Plate Final – Sudbury B 0 – 2 Woodbridge
It was so unfortunate to play some great rugby throughout the day and not come away with a trophy. But that should not detract from the great effort put in by Sudbury B.
Pool Matches U10s
Sudbury 20 V Braintree 0
The first game of the tournament and the first half ended in a nil nil tie. Sudbury's forwards steppe up the pressure in the second half and gave there backs a good platform to work from. Try from Rust, Boydell, Cox and Wardrop.
Sudbury 20 V Colchester B 5
Sudbury with there tails up had found there feet in there first game managed to score through Rust and Boydell in the first half and managed to keep Colchester away from there try line. With the help of the rest of the team with great passing from forwards to backs alike Lewis crossed the line twice. Colchester manage to catch Sudbury off guard and bagged a consolation try.
Ipswich A 5 Sudbury 0
Sudbury and Ipswich were very well matched and the first half ended in a nil nil draw. Both teams had there breaks but could not make there way through the oppositions defence. A missed tackle or 2 meant that Ipswich broke through Sudbury's line to score. As hard as they tied Sudbury could not find the formula to even the score.
Semi Final
Colchester A 15 Sudbury 0
Sudbury had come up against Colchester's A team before and knew that they had to play at there very best and they did. Unfortunatly Sudbury could not get there own game going and had to defend most of the game, Sudbury boys kept there spirit and kept tackled to the end but could never really get going. Colchester played a very good game and deserved the victory and went on to win the tournament.
Sudbury U11’s:
With only two other teams in their pool at the Ipswich festival Sudbury
knew it would be a close fought competition and in their first game
against Colchester B they set out to make their mark. The kick off was
gathered well and after three quick phases Ryan Rainer was over for the
first try. Sudbury worked hard and Jack Greenland was soon over for
their second. Colchester replied with one of their own but just before
half time, a hat trick for the forwards as Angus Bridges scored the
third try. Sudbury kept up the momentum and from some flowing rugby got
two tries in the second half from Henry Cowling and Joe Heighes. Final
score 25-5.
Sudbury’s second encounter was versus the hosts, Ipswich. The first
half saw some nervous errors from both sides, but Ipswich took their
chance and scored before the whistle. The second half was much sharper
from Sudbury, apart from an early try from Ipswich most of the play was
in their half, but despite sustained pressure Sudbury were denied a
score. 0-10 at the final whistle.
From this Sudbury were to play Colchester A in the semi final for the
cup. This was a bruising encounter with big hits from both sides.
Opportunities were few and far between for both teams but in the end a
try in each half saw Colchester the victors. Sudbury battled to the end
and can be proud of their efforts not just for these games but also for
their best season yet.
Sudbury U12’s:
Due to non-attendance, a haste rethink of the competition saw Sudbury U12’s line up for their last ever Festival at Mini’s level against a pool containing Woodbridge, Braintree and Ipswich.
Woodbridge V Sudbury 0 – 20
Straight out of the blocks, Sudbury entered into their strong rucking game and but for a few stutters were performing well and scored from good phased ball. Woodbridge, however were highly competitive and the score did not justify their resolve as the frustrated Sudbury for spells. Tries were scored by Levett, Beckett, White and Hargrove.
Braintree V Sudbury 0 – 15
Once again after a few mistakes and poor decision making Sudbury established their pattern and against a heavier pack the Forwards played exceptionally. With quick ball from the breakdown Sudbury cruised the win by stretching their opponents. Scorers being Beckett, Littlewood and Cox.
Ipswich V Sudbury 0 – 5
Playing their final pool game, Sudbury elected to play all of the squad knowing that progress to the next phase was assured. All of the team were fantastic and played like seasoned pros defending resolutely and running well with ball in hand. Ipswich a side growing in stature, stepped up a gear and were annulled by a fantastic defensive team effort. The final breakthrough was made by Beckett, though some excellent tackling from Ipswich thwarted several certain tries and justified a close scoreline .
Cup Final Woodbridge V Sudbury 15 – 0
Playing their first opponents again, Sudbury dug deep and with great quick ball stretched Woodbridge, but for the great defence several tries were averted. As the game went on however shear pressure and tiredness took its toll and Sudbury were able to score three unanswered tries (Boydell, Beckett and Levett). Great effort at the end saw Woodbridge very unlucky not to score.
Final whistle was blown and Sudbury took the spoils. With this the second year running the this age group had won this festival they now leave the Mini’s scene as they now go onto Youth Rugby next season.
Man of the tournament was awarded to Louie Boydell for his determination with ball in hand. Though special praise is needed for all of the forwards who worked so well all day in securing great quick ball.
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