Colchester draw with Cambridge

Colchester Colts travelled to Saffron Walden on Remembrance Sunday, to play both their hosts and Cambridge in the latest round of games in the Eastern Counties Merit League across two 35 minute matches.18 players made the journey across Essex, and all can be pleased with the performances they delivered.

After the first match between the hosts and Cambridge, it was Colchester’s turn to take to the field. The Cambridge kick off was fielded by Tom Holden on Colchester 22, Holden immediately set off downfield beating off 6 would be Cambridge defenders before crashing over the try line with barely 45 seconds on the clock. The conversion was missed and Colchester lead 5-0. The next 10 minutes saw both sides battle for possession in the middle of the park, with a combination of handling errors and robust defence meaning both sides were kept honest. Colchester’s discipline slipped inside their 22, but were let off the hook as the resulting Cambridge penalty drifted wide of the uprights. Colchester then rebuilt and began to make good ground downfield, strong carries from the forwards as well as quick thinking from the backs eventually allowed George Walsh to crash over after a sustained period of pressure. Jack Pemberton added the conversion and Colchester had a 12-0 lead. The last 10 minutes of the game saw Colchester switch off, allowing a Cambridge side who had looked lethargic and tired for the first 25 minutes of the game to gain a foothold. Quick hands from the backs allowed the Cambridge left winger to score in the corner to bring the scores to 12-5. With time running out, a Cambridge counter attack sliced through the blacks defence allowing Cambridge’s left wing to score his second try with the conversion bringing the score to 12-12.
Final score: Colchester 12 Cambridge 12