Tomorrow the Ravens make the short trip up the A14 to Bury St Edmunds to contest the Suffolk Shield against an impressive Bury Wolfhounds. The Ravens like the 1st XV have had a decent season so far stepping up to a higher league but have come 2nd in both fixtures with the Wolfhounds this year.

George Liversidge sets off on a dangerous run against Richmond 2’s as his team mates look on.

Undoubtedly the Ravens go into this Shield final as underdogs with the Wolfhound’s losing just two games all season but Ravens back row George Liversidge is confident that the squad has what it takes to cause an upset.

“We have looked pretty sharp in the last few games” (George Liversidge)

Despite the Wolfhounds dominance so far this season the Ravens go into the match with confidence high after last weekend’s dramatic single point victory over Westcombe Park 2s.

The match last weekend against Westcombe Park saw Tom Jepson not only play in his first competitive match for two years following a serious injury but went on to score a decisive try.

Tom Jepson back in a Colchester shirt after a long period on the sidelines through injury.

During the week I asked Tom Jepson to talk me through his try and like all front row recited an accurate account of the event.

"I stepped up to the line under immense pressure to throw the ball into the pivotal line out. The lift was terrible so I was forced to thread the throw through a sea of Westcombe Park arms. The ball landed in the hands of lock Ollie White who fumbled, nearly ruining all of my hard work but he managed to hold on. George Liversidge took the ball on but fell over his shoe laces before a panicked off load by Patrick Murphy.

My superior fitness meant that I was in the right area to bail Patrick out, lunging forward I scooped the ball up off of my boot laces and off I went. As I looked up I had 20 metres of ground to cover and a solid Westcombe Park defensive wall in front of me. I crashed through two would be tacklers, the Westcombe Park open side had me in his sights but I have been working hard in the gym so sat him down with a hand off to the face. I opened up transferring all my energy through my quadriceps into the Mill Road turf showing a clean pair of heels to their speedy wingers. I am not one for elaborate acts of try scoring so I opted for a one handed swan dive." (Tom Jepson)

The Ravens will need to carry the positive energy from the Westcombe Park game into the match tomorrow, especially in the early stages of this encounter. The Ravens cannot afford to start slowly affording the Wolfhounds to settle and maximise the local derby feeling. Form and league position isn’t everything especially when it comes to a local derby.

“There's always an extra buzz around the team in the build up to playing Bury. It's been a hotly contested rivalry over the years, and with this match being a cup final it'll be that much more intense on the pitch” (Sam Trott)

The Ravens have the luxury of starting the match as underdogs, with less pressure on them. Without the pressure of being expected to win the match the Ravens can afford to express themselves, which may prove to be an important factor especially in attack.

Ravens captain Paul Summerson sets off on a dangerous attack when the Ravens met Bishop Stortford.

“There is always added pressure playing in a local derby but it’s a challenge I am confident the squad can rise to” (George Liversidge)

One area that will be key is the physical battle with the Wolfhounds who will also be up for the occasion. The set piece will be critical for the Ravens, the ability to secure their own ball to unleash their dangerous backs could be vital. If the Ravens fail to match the Wolfhounds here then the supply of front foot ball could be sparse.

Sam Trott and Ollie Gozzett prepare to lock horns with the Shelford 2s

“I think physicality at the breakdown will be where the game is won or lost. We need to be aggressive in securing our own ball in attack to create a solid platform to play from” (Sam Trott)

There is no point in hiding from the fact that the Ravens go into this match as underdogs but that wont phase this squad of players. Oddly the Ravens will look to replicate the performance that saw them lose 17-36 to Bury Wolfhounds at the start of the season but go one step further and secure a victory.

Tomorrow’s match is also an excellent opportunity for players to make a statement. After the result for the 1st XV last weekend the players selected to take on the Wolfhounds tomorrow will be keen to prove their case for snatching a first team shirt for the match next weekend against Shelford.

“As a player you always want to test yourself against the best.” (Sam Trott)

Good luck to the Ravens, I look forward to being able to cover a Ravens match from the first whistle to the last.