U13's v Colchester A/B

Southwold welcomed Colchester to The Common on Sunday with some trepidation given that they had been beaten 50-0 by this team just two months previously. To their credit Colchester had chosen more of a mixed team to bring to the coast from their very large squad.

The game kicked off in good conditions with Southwold choosing to face the steady breeze in the first half. The early exchanges were pretty even with both sides testing the opposition defences. Colchester were first to score with quick hands and accurate passing resulting in a try on the left wing. Southwold were in attack when a poorly timed pass was intercepted and moved wide for a further Colchester score which was converted to give a 0-14 lead. Another slow start from Southwold and too much respect given to the opposition early in the game.

Half way through the first half the Southwold forwards were beginning to take charge of open play with some determined running and offloading breaking down the Colchester defence. Riley was able to take advantage of a well worked field position to blast over for the first try. Sam W then produced a scintillating run from deep in his own 22 to take play forward and allow Max to demonstrate his football skills with Riley again on hand to make the most of the backs good work for a second score. Max duly converted to tie the scores at 14-14.

A series of penalties to Southwold allowed Kyle and Anton to clear their lines and push the forwards into a scoring position inside the Colchester 22. A further penalty was driven towards the try line and looked to be held up before Cameron was able to free the ball and drive over for the score. Max converted to give Southwold a 21 -14 half time lead.

Southwold rotated their large squad at half time to give everyone as much rugby as possible including the five available U12 players. Early in the second half Colchester were able to mount a strong attack which took them into the Southwold 22. The large Colchester 2nd row who had proved a very strong runner and tackler all game was charging for the line when intercepted by Riley resulting in the best test of a Southwold post protector for several seasons. The impact was so strong it looked like the posts might have been broken but it was fortunate indeed for Southwold that the Colchester player had not touched down. A series of scrums then ensued on the Southwold 5M line and eventually the same 2nd row was able to score a well-deserved try which was converted to tie the scores at 21 all.

The Wold boys were conscious of not letting a precious opportunity to beat Colchester go and stepped up the intensity with a series of deep running attacks which put severe pressure on the Colchester midfield. Riley was again at the centre of these attacks and was able to force his way over from a close range penalty before again being in the right position to benefit from strong interplay and claim his fourth try of the game. Max converted both tries to give Southwold a 35-21 lead. Colchester were able to apply great pressure at the end of the game but committed defence from Harry and Cameron denied any further opportunity for a score. Sadly Cameron received a nasty wrist injury in the last play of the game which may see him side lined for several weeks and we wish him a speedy recovery.
This was a good game of rugby played in great spirit by two very committed teams. Southwold though slow to start were determined to put the previous result to Colchester behind them and richly deserved their victory. Riley put in a man of the match performance not only in scoring four tries but in always being at the heart of the stout tackling defence.

Black & Gold Mole.