Colchester Colts travelled to Sudbury RFC last Sunday to participate in this annual 7s tournament. Losing only one game throughout the day to come away as deserved plate winners., with a record of played 5 won 4 lost 1.

Last minute withdrawals from the squad meant it was a 10 man squad at the disposal of the coaching staff to use throughout the day.

Drawn into the red pool Colchester’s first match was against Saffron Walden, and in a game where it was clear the players will still adapting to the 7s game, a 24-14 win was a welcome confidence booster.

Game 2 saw Colchester face off against Woodbridge and with the confidence visibly beginning into grow within Colchester played some wonderful 7s rugby at times to come away 31-14 winners. This left Colchester 2 from 2 and red group winners heading into the next phase of the tournament.

Game 3 for Colchester was against a strong Southwold ‘A’, the eventual cup runners up proved too strong and came away with a convincing 12-38 victory, to hand Colchester their first and only loss of the day. Game 4 followed in quick succession and it was a simple equation, win and a place in the plate final would be secured lose and Colchester would be out. Cambridge ‘B’ provided the opposition, and in what was a back and forth action packed game of 7s Colchester eventually won through 28-14.

So to the plate final, injury and fatigue had started to take a hold of the Colchester squad, but that did not stop the oldsters from turning in their best performance of the day. Cutting loose and playing some lovely fast flowing 7s saw Southwold ‘B’ comprehensively dispatched by a 40-24 score line, earning Colchester a deserved plate triumph and a second piece of silverware in success weeks to round off a challenging season on a high.

It was a fantastic effort from the full squad on the day; Josh Askew & Kacper Lesniewski showed they had pace to burn all day, running in a hatful of tries each whilst also providing fantastic defensive cover when l required. Ethan Humm showcased his fantastic and well rounded skillset performing as both a forward and back throughout the day without ever looking out of place. Josh Brett, Hamish Melanaphy, Dylan Wilkin & Josh Borstol all played across the pitch during the five games and gave their all for the team.

Will Easteal tackled and carried hard before injury put an early end to his day.

Levi Wilson, was again dominant in both attack and defence and his offloading game was a constant threat throughout the day.

And Connor Jarmain’s passing and tackling at sweeper helped keep Colchester on course throughout the day.

Colchester 7s squad

Josh Askew

Josh Borstol

Josh Brett

Will Easteal

Ethan Humm

Hamish Melanaphy

Connor Jarmain

Kacpar Lesniewski

Dylan Wilkin

Levi Wilson