Colchester find that little extra in testing conditions

Played in extremely windy conditions, two strong sides in Colchester and Cambridge served up a very competitive game of rugby that really could have gone either way. Colchester showed tremendous character to earn themselves victory with the last play of the match after the game seemed to have slipped away after Cambridge enjoyed much the better territory and possession throughout the second period of the game.

Cambridge had the much better of the opening exchanges and frustrated the home side who played the first half with the strong wind behind them. However, with their first real foray upfield some strong forward work released quick ball for centre Owen Cowley for open the scoring (unconverted). The opening period remained scrappy with both sides making errors in midfield; the difficult conditions not helping expansive rugby. Winger Elliott Hinton was unfortunate to be tackled after making a good break and flanker Connor Alkin showed great intent when also bursting forward. After winger Jonny Gould ended a Cambridge breakout with a fine tackle, captain Dan Harding almost reached the line but unfortunately couldn’t get his pass away. However, the resulting Colchester possession gave Alkin the opportunity of diving in the corner just before half time.
Half Time: Colchester 10 Cambridge 0

Roles were reversed in the second period as Cambridge took advantage of the wind and more-or-less camped themselves within Colchester territory for the first thirty minutes of the second half. Almost immediately, Colchester had to defend a number of 5m lineouts and scrums; the pressure temporarily relieved by an electric breakaway from full back Josh Harvey. Constant forward movement from the quick Cambridge backs brought play immediately back towards the Colchester line where the away side picked up and scored from the back of a ruck (unconverted). Straight from the restart, Cambridge applied more pressure and earned themselves a penalty as Colchester tried to run the ball out of defence. Subsequent ball retention and good forward work soon brought Cambridge an equalising score; the conversion being missed from out wide. With the wind not relenting, the home side had to continue to defend earnestly but a misplaced attempted kicked clearance went straight to Cambridge hands and a third away score followed which was converted to give the away side a deserved lead. As the game to a close, the home side responded and finally enjoyed some time within the Cambridge half; flanker Farouk Wingfield making an immediate impact from the bench. Winger Hinton was bundled into touch when almost through before some slick interchanging between centre Cowley and fly half Mikey Johnstone created some space for flanker Alkin to dive over to reduce the arrears (conversion missed). The deep Cambridge restart was well fielded and again full back Harvey showed his pace taking the ball well into opposition territory; ongoing effective ball recycling and quick hands gave replacement winger James Bond the opportunity of scoring in the corner just on full time; the conversion from the touch line being terrifically converted by Harding.
A memorable game of rugby played in challenging conditions.
Full Time: Colchester 22 Cambridge 17