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Sat 01 Nov 2014 · London 1 North
Barking
1st XV
29
34
Tries: C Irvine, M Smith (2), D PhilpConversions: J Crozier (3)Penalties: J Crozier: Penalty Try
Barking 29-34 Colchester
Patrick Duffy3 Nov 2014 - 20:24
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Colchester hang on for another bonus point wiin
Colchester won another bonus point away victory to stay second in the league despite a below par performance against a skilful and determined Barking side.
Injuries to Higgins, Brambley and Cutbush enforced changes, Colchester fielding five centres in seven of the back positions at the start of the game that saw a fitful and unduly relaxed display after recent cricket score wins. Colchester did just enough in patches to mount powerful attacks that saw regular centre Matt Smith bag a brace of tries, with tries for peerless skipper Calum Irvine and returning wing David Philp. However missed tackles, poor passing, fumbles and turnovers forced Colchester to cling onto their lead in the face of a late Barking revival.
Barking were playing higher national league rugby until relegated last season. The host’s powerful and committed pack gave Colchester their most effective opponents this season, props Sam John and skipper Jordan Saunders proving a handful as ball carriers and in the scrums, the back row of Badcock, Hayes and Ox disrupting Colchester on the fringes throughout. Speedy centres Aaron Higgins and Ashley Wright were elusive runners, both scoring tries.
From the kickoff Barking caught Colchester flat-footed in defence, centre Ashley Wright racing in the first score. Ben Lloyd’s conversion was flagged good by the line judges but overruled as a miss by referee David Parsons.
Shaken into action, Colchester combined forward and back surges. Catching Barking offside, fullback James Crozier converted the penalty into points. Continuing to pressurise, lock Liam Pickett and scrumhalf Matt Wadling made ground before Calum Irvine cut inside to score under the posts, Crozier’s conversion putting Colchester in front.
The restart was returned by flanker Ollie Pickett before wing Ben Murphy stole into space and linked with Smith who stepped inside his opponents to score. Crozier converted then displayed his running prowess with a 50 metre counterattack, flanker Ollie White stealing a Barking lineout from which Matt Smith cut through for his second try to take the score to 5-22.
Barking rallied, skipper Jordan Saunders finishing a series of forward drives with a pushover try that took the score to 10-22. Barking pressed but an interception by Colchester replacement wing Dave Philp almost led to another try just before halftime.
The second half saw Barking score next, a back handling move at speed resulting in a well taken try for Aaron Higgins, Lloyd converting. This galvanised Colchester. Crozier again lanced through the Barking defence, lock Eli Castle making ground, fellow lock Graeme Hay drawing defenders before spinning a pass to Philp to race in his and Colchester’s fourth bonus point try wide right.
Barking were penalised for throwing an elbow and Colchester kicked close to their line. The Colchester pack enjoyed a purple patch in out-scrummaging Barking, three consecutive scrum penalty offences leaving Referee Parsons no option but to award a penalty try. Crozier added the conversion to take the lead to 17-34.
The game appeared won but as Colchester switched off, Barking stepped up. A crossfield run by Higgins created the space for Wright’s second and Barking’s fourth bonus point try before lock Conor O’Toole grounded a catch and drive pushover try, Lloyd adding the conversion for an exciting last two minutes that Colchester hung on to win.
Gary Griffiths
Injuries to Higgins, Brambley and Cutbush enforced changes, Colchester fielding five centres in seven of the back positions at the start of the game that saw a fitful and unduly relaxed display after recent cricket score wins. Colchester did just enough in patches to mount powerful attacks that saw regular centre Matt Smith bag a brace of tries, with tries for peerless skipper Calum Irvine and returning wing David Philp. However missed tackles, poor passing, fumbles and turnovers forced Colchester to cling onto their lead in the face of a late Barking revival.
Barking were playing higher national league rugby until relegated last season. The host’s powerful and committed pack gave Colchester their most effective opponents this season, props Sam John and skipper Jordan Saunders proving a handful as ball carriers and in the scrums, the back row of Badcock, Hayes and Ox disrupting Colchester on the fringes throughout. Speedy centres Aaron Higgins and Ashley Wright were elusive runners, both scoring tries.
From the kickoff Barking caught Colchester flat-footed in defence, centre Ashley Wright racing in the first score. Ben Lloyd’s conversion was flagged good by the line judges but overruled as a miss by referee David Parsons.
Shaken into action, Colchester combined forward and back surges. Catching Barking offside, fullback James Crozier converted the penalty into points. Continuing to pressurise, lock Liam Pickett and scrumhalf Matt Wadling made ground before Calum Irvine cut inside to score under the posts, Crozier’s conversion putting Colchester in front.
The restart was returned by flanker Ollie Pickett before wing Ben Murphy stole into space and linked with Smith who stepped inside his opponents to score. Crozier converted then displayed his running prowess with a 50 metre counterattack, flanker Ollie White stealing a Barking lineout from which Matt Smith cut through for his second try to take the score to 5-22.
Barking rallied, skipper Jordan Saunders finishing a series of forward drives with a pushover try that took the score to 10-22. Barking pressed but an interception by Colchester replacement wing Dave Philp almost led to another try just before halftime.
The second half saw Barking score next, a back handling move at speed resulting in a well taken try for Aaron Higgins, Lloyd converting. This galvanised Colchester. Crozier again lanced through the Barking defence, lock Eli Castle making ground, fellow lock Graeme Hay drawing defenders before spinning a pass to Philp to race in his and Colchester’s fourth bonus point try wide right.
Barking were penalised for throwing an elbow and Colchester kicked close to their line. The Colchester pack enjoyed a purple patch in out-scrummaging Barking, three consecutive scrum penalty offences leaving Referee Parsons no option but to award a penalty try. Crozier added the conversion to take the lead to 17-34.
The game appeared won but as Colchester switched off, Barking stepped up. A crossfield run by Higgins created the space for Wright’s second and Barking’s fourth bonus point try before lock Conor O’Toole grounded a catch and drive pushover try, Lloyd adding the conversion for an exciting last two minutes that Colchester hung on to win.
Gary Griffiths
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