Aldeburgh 44 Colchester 26
A game of two halves
The old clichés are the best. While Aldeburgh dominated the match, never showing any chance of losing, there was a distinct shift in the second half which gives credit to the commitment shown by Colchester throughout.
Aldeburgh’s playing strength this season was demonstrated by the fact that, with several strong team members missing, we were still able to field a competitive team. After a few minutes of forward exchanges which were evenly matched, as soon as Aldeburgh moved the ball wide, they scored. Fly half, Ed Robson, fired out one of his signature long passes to outside centre, Antonio Monteiro, who flicked it straight on to winger, Barnaby Knight, who stepped inside to score under the posts. Ed converted.
In short order, Aldeburgh were attacking again with full back, Rupert Clogg, being hauled down by the last defender. When the ball was recycled, Ed switched play, bringing in Jon Hunt, playing in the second row today, who, rather than bulldoze his way to the line, sidestepped twice to score.
Tries were following at five minute intervals. The next was a combination of backs and forwards. After inside centre, Danny Collett, had taken the ball into contact, the forwards powered over with Toby Mann, flanker, getting the touchdown. By now the backs were moving the ball freely, the forwards were linking well. Colchester had barely been in the Aldeburgh half. When Aldeburgh were awarded a penalty ten metres from the Colchester line, Danny Collett was the first to react, taking a quick tap, he passed to Ed who strolled over unopposed. 22-0 after twenty minutes.
Another try by Aldeburgh’s backs was disallowed for a forward pass in the build up but it did not take long for Antonio Monteiro to get the next one after a straightforward move from a scrum.
At last, Colchester began to exert some pressure, in particular through their big No 12 who posed the greatest threat all afternoon. Good defence kept them out then suddenly Ed stripped the ball, set off to run half the length of the pitch and, despite a covering tackle, slipped the ball inside to winger, Adam Hateley, who raced over for the final try of the half.
With the score 32-0 at half time and more or less total domination of the match by Aldeburgh it was hard to see anything other than a cricket score.
However, this Colchester team contains some, shall we say, experienced players, who are not bothered by anything as incidental as the score. Within two minutes of the restart, they piled forward, getting a try under the posts. Admittedly, Aldeburgh responded just as quickly with a second try for Antonio Monteiro (converted from the touchline by Ed).
There were strong runs from Toby Mann and Jake Taylor, on as replacement full back, but as players took knocks and were replaced, Aldeburgh began to lose their shape and rhythm.
After twenty minutes, Aldeburgh’s final try was scored by prop, Lewis Wardell Bird, who powered over after a tap penalty. The last twenty minutes saw Colchester respond with three tries.
The big No 12 was the first to score. A quick move from a penalty led to the next try. The final one came from more pressure and penalties.
Final score: 44-26
Thanks are due to Paddy Allen for giving up his duties as coach to referee the match. Finding referees is a constant problem this season. Also thanks to Jayne Gallant for stepping in to Paddy’s shoes on the touchline.