Match Report: Colchester RGS 35 – 19 Woodbridge School
After the one minute silence, the scene was set for a great game of open rugby on a very wide pitch. Woodbridge were on the back foot after early pressure from the Colchester 9 with a searing break. Only a great tackle by a George Williams saved the day. Woodbridge cleared their lines but were caught off side. 3-0 to Colchester.
Further pressure and another penalty but it was pushed wide. Unfortunately from a missed touch, Colchester put Woodbridge under pressure.
Woodbridge then started to string some good phases together; Will Farthing bulldozed through, and through slick backline passing Matt Sutton wriggled over, giving Woodbridge a 3-5 lead. Unfortunately, Colchester responded with a catch and drive, but the secondary drive punched a hole from close range giving them a try (8-5).
Unfortunately Woodbridge lost Ben Morgan with an elbow injury and George Cory came on. Colchester scored another well worked try, starting out wide and then winning the race for a clever in-field kick, giving a 13-5 score line. A further Colchester penalty followed by half time with the score poised at 16 -5.
Woodbridge started the second half well, but their early pressure unfortunately came to no reward.
Woodbridge were penalised for crossing in back line, and were subsequently pinned back into their own 22. This resulted in a soft try from fumble and regain under posts. 23-5. A further score from a 5m lineout and catch and drive put Colchester in a commanding 28-5 lead. A further counter attack into the Woodbridge 22 allowed Colchester to power over for a try under posts 35-5. As ever Woodbridge did not give up heart, and from the kick off the ball was stolen by Cherryman and he scored near posts and Robert Smith converted for 35-12. Smith soon was in the fray again with a great jackal, and Sam Stowe won the race for ball to score. At 35-19 Woodbridge, continued to pressure but lost the ball in the Colchester 22 and with that the chance to reduce the deficit any further.
