COLCHESTER Rugby Club rounded off the year with a hugely satisfying win over local rivals Sudbury, partially avenging the heavy defeat in September’s reverse fixture and in the process lifting them to third place in the league, writes EDWARD MARRIAGE.
Leading 28-12 approaching the final quarter and looking pretty comfortable, Colchester conceded two late tries to make for a nail-biting finish, the final whistle being greeted by relief as much as joy.
Top scorer Luke Rokomoce led the way with two tries in the 28-22 win and the wing would have had a hat-trick for a second match running but for a remarkable tackle by Sudbury’s full-back Austin Beckett who bundled the Fijian into touch as he made a length-of-the field dash down the left wing.
After a week of sub-zero temperatures, the match was only possible by the all-weather surface but the bitter cold did not deter Raven Park’s biggest crowd of the season.
Both sides played their part by fielding strong line-ups.
Full-back Jimmy Mpailane took advantage of a wicked bounce to gallop in after five minutes, his try converted by Chris Lewis. But within two minutes the defence was caught napping as Charlie Jackson crossed for the visitors, the try going unconverted.
Colchester then seemingly took control with Rokomoce’s two tries in the space of five minutes, both the result of good recycling by the backs and both converted by Lewis.
But the hosts were then rocked by a double blow. First scrum-half Corey Button was knocked out and was replaced by Sai Vunivesilevu, then Mpailane was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on.
Taking advantage of superior numbers, Jack Dachtler made it 21-12 at the interval after a period of intense pressure on the Colchester line.
Colchester banked a try bonus point, for the eighth match running, early in the second half as Ross Taylor swooped in under the posts, Lewis converting to make is 28-12 and the hosts rang the changes, Joe McMillan replacing Alex Mitchell and Connor O’Reilly on for Rokomoce.
But Sudbury have a record of scoring late tries, and they duly hit back through Henry Cowling – who had a fine game throughout – and Jake Sumner. But with neither try converted, Colchester clung on for the win.
Head coach Craig Burrows had been keen to play down any extra chat around the match, having joined Colchester from Sudbury in the summer, but was understandably delighted at the outcome.
“I know how much the boys wanted this win,” said Burrows. “First half we did really well, we stuck to our goals. Second half we unravelled a bit, the game plan went out of the window at times. But we kept composure towards the end.
“Obviously they made it a lot tighter than it should have been, but the boys really showed some grit to close the game out, which I’m very, very proud of.
“We set a goal for 15 points from three games and we’ve achieved it so I can’t ask for more.”
Rokomoce was named man-of-the-match by sponsors Agile Developments Group while the coach’s award went to flanker Cam Kerr.
Colchester have a three week Christmas break, their next match is at Shelford on January 7th although the squad will still train once a week throughout the holiday period.
Colchester: Mpailane, Taylor, Bodkin, Thomas, Rokomoce, Lewis, Button; J Mitchell, Butler, A Mitchell, Easton (c), Read, Kerr, Whiteman, H Pickett. Reps: McMillan, Vunivesilevu, O’Reilly.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here