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National Colts Plate Winners MAY 7th 2007
Colts win National Plate Final
Venue: Franklin's Garden, Northampton
Bury St.Edmunds U19 18
Weston Super Mare U19 14
Bank Holiday Monday - May 7th saw Bury Colts, kindly sponsored for a number of seasons by Anglia Bodyworks, were able to play this final in the wonderful setting of Franklin's Garden. After a long hard season this game came as a fitting testament to their hard work on and off the field.
Bury kicked off and were immediately on the attack. The forwards powered their way through the Weston midfield and imposed their style on the game. From a line out on the Weston 22m line, Bury won good clean ball and set up an impressive maul that they drove all the way to the try line only to see the ball pop out of the side and Weston were able to clear to touch again. The lineout was well won by Bury, and although the resulting maul collapsed, Toby Berridge pick up the ball and raced down the wing to score in the corner with only 5 minutes on the clock. The conversion went just wide.
The Colts carried on with their game plan but the Weston defence held firm and in the 26th minute a long floated pass was intercepted by the Weston centre who raced through and touched down under the posts giving an easy conversion and so take the lead 7-5. Bury came back even stronger with some well worked moves but could not break through the Weston defence. Eventually,on the stroke of half time Bury were awarded a penalty some 30 meters out on the left side and Will Martin was able to slot the kick and give Bury back the lead 8-7.
The second half started like the first with Bury forwards showing there strength and it was this that created a gap for Rob Petherick to power over for a try. This was converted by Martin.
The players now began to play with real flair and in the 53rd minute and a second penalty was kicked by Martin to extend the lead to 18-7. Weston came back at Bury and as team tired injuries started to happen. One of Bury's biggest assets this season has been the quality of the players on the bench who have done their part for the team, and when called on never let the side down.
The replacements helped keep the game under control but the loss of the Colts Captain Charlie Wapshott, due to an injured shoulder, meant a quick re-shuffle with only 5 minutes left on the clock. While Bury settled, Weston had their chance and it was their captain who squirmed his way over for a try with 3 minutes left. It was converted leaving Bury with a very difficult final few minutes. Weston came so close in the final seconds, but James Oakes was cool enough to clear to touch, forcing the final whistle to blow.
That is how Bury St Edmunds Colts won the National Colts Plate Final, winning 18-14.
The players and management of Bury Colts would like to thank the 300 supporters who travelled to Northampton for their amazing vocal support, before, during and after the game which lifted the whole team throughout.
National Colts Plate Semi-final
Moseley U19 8
Bury St. Edmunds U19 14
Bury Sponsored, by Anglia Bodyworks, travelled to Birmingham for this National Semi Final, in good heart having just heard of the Bury 1st XV promotion with the win at Harlow. With the temperature reaching 80 deg F fitness was always going to be a major factor, and the Bury coaches encouraged the players to keep their water levels up.
Moseley kicked off and immediately their forwards tried to control the game. Bury’s pack were much the lighter pack but their defence was superb, and gradually showed their superior technique, at the set plays. The opening score went to a Moseley penalty for a Bury mistake some 35meteres out. Bury powered back and were unlucky to miss an equalizing penalty, but kept up the pressure. The Moseley pack kept the ball tight and rolled the maul down the pitch, and it was their left winger who broke through a couple of tackles and dived in at the corner for an 8-0 lead. Bury have never been down hearted and again tried to run the ball wide time and time again, but the Moseley defence held firm, until just on the stroke of half time when the Bury forwards set up a maul from a lineout and showed real power to drive to the line, and it was Ben Geatches who touched down in the corner. The conversion was sweetly hit by Will Martin for a half time score of 8-7 to Moseley.
In the second half Moseley changed their game plan and kick the ball deep into the Bury half at every chance. This was ideal for Bury so that their backs could open their legs and move the large Moseley pack around the park. It was a good period of play from the whole Bury team, with forwards and backs combining well, to set up the chance for Toby Berridge to slice through the Moseley defence and score under posts, making it a simple conversion for James Oakes, and Bury were now in the lead for the first time in the game. The game went from end to end with neither side giving anything away in defence and for the last 5 minutes Moseley were camped in the Bury 22, but could not break through, as Bury kept their discipline and piled in the tackles.
Time and again the bigger Moseley players charged for the line but were driven back by the Bury defence and well into injury time Bury were awarded a penalty, which was kicked out and the final whistle blew for a superb win for Bury. Special thanks must go to the Bury supporters , which travelled up to Birmingham, and also to Waitrose for their kind sponsorship if the sports drinks which were vitally important on such a hot day.
The final will be play at the premiership side Northampton’s ground Franklin’s Gardens on Monday 7th May 2007.
All purchases from www.buy.at/bserugbyclub during April will help the Colts fund the final.
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