As ever the gracious hosts, BSRFC U16 gifted Colchester a 0-21 lead in the first fifteen minutes of todays friendly fixture, before the 'words of encouragement' from the coaching team sunk in and we started playing the kind of rugby we know our squad is capable of. The first half comeback started when Odin was found on the wing by a well timed pass from full back Matt and managed to get the ball down over the line under pressure from the opposition defence, Matt then added the conversion a difficult kick from out on the touchline. The game was now much more even, both teams having opportunities to break but Stortford capitalising on a period of good attacking rugby when scrum half Padraig elected to pick the ball from the back of a ruck five metres out and dive for the line to take the half time score to a much more respectable 14-21, Matt slotting home his second kick of the game.
Within five minutes of the restart we were all square, Matt and Sam A teaming up down the left wing, Sam running on to another pass from the full back and running into space to score and leave Matt another well taken kick. We took the lead minutes later when Matt found himself with space to run into and had the confidence to go alone despite the support of players outside him and score beneath the posts, leaving himself a much more straight forward kick. The next Stortford try fell to winger, Monty, who finished off some great play from the backs and provided Matt with his fifth conversion of the game. Colchester rallied and scored two tries (one converted) before Sam A scored his second try of the game this time Sam F taken the responsibility for the conversions. One final try for Colchester brought the scoreline to a nail-biting 42-40 with five minute to go, and at this point the game could easily have gone either way, but it was Sam F who made the next break, converting his own try before being instrumental in a move that saw Ellis put the game out of reach with the final score of the game.
A beautiful day to watch a very competitive game, both teams playing great rugby. Sam F was nominated as star player in the marquee but special mention has to go to Matt for his try and 5/5 conversions, his terrible (by his own admission) warm up kicks just prove the old saying about a poor dress rehearsal.
Our last few 'mixed squad' games have shown the depth of quality we have in our age group and as we head off on tour at the end of this week we look forward to seeing the lads playing as one squad at the Bournemouth festival on Saturday.