YM at Colchester U15s Festival Report

Group Matches:
Southwold 0 - 12 Colchester
Southwold 5 - 5 Sevenoaks
Southwold 12 - 0 Ipswich
Southwold 17- 5 Market Harborogh

(Southwold came 2nd in the group)

Trophy Semi Final:
Southwold 0 - 5 Ipswich YM

Following on from the stunning Sevens performance the weekend before but this time with virtually the whole squad in attendance, the boys did themselves and the supporters proud.

There was clearly a good vibe in the air and the key guys were definitely in the right zone from the outset despite the hosts, Colchester, being our first opponents in the tournament. We came out fighting and for the first 5 minutes (only 7 minute halves) we were deep in their half. I think this surprised the boys as it must have done the opposition. Unfortunately the second half started with a kick-off from Colchester which didn't go 10m but didn't get called. This indecision put us out of shape and the resulting drive through lead to their first try. We then came back with some sublime runs and offloads only to be thwarted by there last line of defence. Colchester's try in the last minute was against the play and so we could feel rightly proud of our performance against the eventual winners of the tournament.

We then faced the tournament favourites, Sevenoaks, who were huge! This was an excellent game played in great spirit. Still high on the first match, the boys put everything in to this one. The tackling was fierce, stopping all but one of their attacks. Our pack rucked like demons and were driving the opposition off the ball and constantly providing clean ball for the backs whose handling was as good as i have seen it all season. I need reminding who scored our try but i know it followed a sustained phases of attack. But the key moment of the match and possibly the tournament for us was the touch call on Billy. Adrian had taken a crunching tackle but managed to offload to Jon who made a swerving 30m run down the 5m line with Billy in close support. Eventually after cutting in and drawing a defender he offloaded to Billy who was at full throttle. Billy broke through the remaining two defenders for a certain try at which point the linesman raised his flag 20m back. Jon and Billy where speechless as Billy was more than a meter inside the line. Game drawn and time to move on.

Next up, Ipswich. A team whose understanding of rugby ethos does them credit and makes every fixture enjoyable - both on and off the pitch. We had been beaten by them in 15s all season, but today felt different and the confidence in the team was growing. Ipswich were missing Toby and Nat but fielded their other top players but unfortunately had picked up a few injuries in their first couple of matches, so we played 14 a-side. Sure enough, thanks to the forwards, we started to string a few phases together and Adrian and Stan were both able to run in tries.

We were now on a role and relished the opportunity of playing our next match against Market Harborough. From the kick-off we stole the ball and Stan ran in the first try. Our forwards then continued to be awesome, dominating the park and providing yet more clean ball for the grateful backs to do their stuff - which they did with aplomb (not a plum!). In the second half Billy ran in probably the best try of the day which started on our try line and went through various hands before being touched down in their corner. Jon, who hadn't put a foot wrong all day and was instrumental in all our tries so far, also ran in a well deserved try of his own - sevens style.

These results placed us second in the group and a chance to compete with the big boys for the main Trophy. Our semi finals opponents were YM who annihilated earlier in the season. For a change the boys didn't seem at all phased - especially when we found ourselves on the front foot from the kick-off. We managed to keep possession and actually dominated the first half. What's more, if it wasn't for another critical line call, Stan would have put us ahead. On this occasion it was our own Welshman who adjudged Stan's foot to touch the line - in the right spirit of the game - even though it was YM! The second half was tougher and the levels of aggression heightened but the boys resilience against the odds was extraordinary. Alex Rayment wasn't getting through today. Unfortunately after a period of sustained pressure one of them did get through. And that was sadly the end of our tournament.

The boys could all hold their heads high as we left the tournament as we clearly surprised and even shocked some of the opposition players and coaches with both our defensive and attacking performances. It was gratifying to see so much of what we have been practicing in training transferred on to the pitch.

I have not mentioned many of the players in this report as it would again be unfair to single out boys as they all put in 110%. The pack as a whole were truly immense, playing as a unit and the backs benefitted hugely from their collective efforts. The backs' handling and passing was sublime all day and so were able to reward the forwards with the points.

Man of the Match was Jon who was faultless in his decision making all day and managed to tie the opposition in knots in the centres. But our friend Adrian also deserves a mention for his extraordinary strength and dexterity which constantly opened up the oppositions' defence.

Another good day at the office boys and the perfect aperitif for the forthcoming tour.