Colchester hosted Chelmsford in this third round clash in the National Colt’s Cup. Consistent drizzle made the conditions less than ideal for a fast flowing game. Colchester started at great pace moving the ball quickly and had Chelmsford pinned in their 22 for the first 10 minutes. However, the Chelmsford defence was excellent, and held Colchester at bay until a 10th minute penalty saw Colchester lead 3-0.
Most of Chelmsford’s players, play in their senior first and second team, and when they had the ball in hand going forward, it was easy to see why. A poor clearing kick from Colchester, saw Chelmsford counter extremely well, their talented number 8 able to drag a couple of defenders over the line to score next to the posts, 7-3 to Chelmsford. Colchester immediately regained their composure, a brilliant backline move saw fullback Matt Barnes chime into the line and put winger Andre hardy over in the corner. The try was superbly converted by Dave Higgins from the sideline, 10-7 to Colchester. The home side then sent wave after wave of attack at the Chelmsford defence, centre Jimmy Gardiner went within an inch of scoring. Next Gardiner and Ben Jones made half breaks with captain James Mitchell in support. Mitchell was dragged back without the ball when a try was imminent, but moments later he charged onto a loose ball to fittingly score on the halftime whistle, 17-7 to Colchester.
In the second half the moderate breeze which had blown directly across the pitch, picked up significantly and swung directly into the face of the Colchester players. Chelmsford’s fly-half intelligently kicked for territory at every opportunity and kept Colchester camped in their own half for a full 20 minutes. During this time, an injury to Gardiner saw the game restarted before a replacement could be put on, fair enough if consistently applied. Chelmsford intelligently capitalized on the lack of a blind winger, and from a scrum 15m out ran into the space. Despite being held up, an unsighted referee gave the score, well converted to make it 17-14 to Colchester.
The last 15 minutes was all Colchester. The forward pack that had dominated set pieces, now worked overtime with the backs to stay deep in Chelmsford’s territory. Several breaks were extinguished by Chelmsford until Mitchell charged over for what appeared an obvious try, not so, “held up” the call. Minutes later, Mitchell went blind from a ruck to “score” in the corner. A Colchester player, bound on the edge of the ruck, was deemed to have blocked the non existent opposition, penalty to Chelmsford. Again Colchester attacked, and turning down a shot in front, went to the corner. A perfectly executed lineout saw flanker Dan Whiteman crash over to score on the final whistle.
The Colchester team thoroughly deserved the win, but Chelmsford was an excellent team, possibly the best this team has faced in two years. Full credit to Chelmsford for playing their part in a pulsating, and entertaining match. Congratulations to Colchester who showed great skill and enormous character against a formidable side. Our fourth round opponents are London Irish at home on January 25th.
SCORERS: Tries: Hardy, Whiteman, Mitchell (1). Higgins 1 pen, 2 convs
FRIENDLY - 30th Nov
Colchester Colts 1sts 36 v Harpenden 0
Colchester travelled to Harpenden on a horrid day, freezing wet conditions and a strong wind adding to the misery. Harpenden had made the third round of the National Cup and had some impressive victories this season, so were not at all taken lightly. With some regular first team players resting injuries, the opportunity was taken to play some more of Colchester’s exciting U17 players. Flanker Joe Horsfall and makeshift number eight Jake Wilson, both rose to the occasion, playing very strongly and more than matching their older rivals. Scrum half Gregor Irvine and winger Matt Barnes also relished the opportunity, although conditions did not favour expansive back play.
Colchester played into the wind in the first half and despite an early score to centre Jimmy Gardiner from a set move, struggled to come to terms with the conditions and the lop-sided penalty count. Gardiner scored again with minutes left in the half, his sheer speed too much for the opposition cover. Fullback Chris Withers made one glorious try saving tackle, smashing the Harpenden runner and causing a turn over. The only other time the opposition threatened, they were held up over the line after a slippery ball was fumbled several times.
The second half saw Colchester lift several notches. Fly half Dave Higgins awoke from his cryogenic coma, and led an onslaught on the Harpenden defence. A great, “Higgins inspired”, team movement, with Gardiner finishing brilliantly again, led to his hat-trick, 5 minutes in. Great forward leg drive and determined running from winger Tom Moat, led to a simple try to Sam Trott. Higgins then cut apart the opposition to send makeshift centre Dan Whiteman over under the posts. When Gardiner raced in for his fourth try of the match, the Harpenden team and their referee decided that they had enough and called a halt with 12 minutes remaining. Higgins, somehow in the conditions, managed three excellent conversions.
Not a great spectacle but a comprehensive win for a Colchester team that had a number of players playing out of position. The power of the tackling and rucking was most impressive and represents another forward step in the development of this promising squad.
SCORERS: Tries: Gardiner (4), Whiteman, Trott (1). Higgins 3 convs
Sunday 30 November 2008
Colchester Colts 2nds 21 v Hertford 49
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