Colchester Development U14 vs Billericay U14s

Squad : Taylor, Josh, Sam, Thomas, Harry D, Alfie, Archie, Toby, Harry I, Robert, Lennon, Conor, Charlie, Lucas

After 3 cancellations, 2 named storms, 3 weather warnings and a biblical amount of rain it almost felt like the Billericay U14s would never get to play rugby again! However, we finally managed to get a match against our excellent hosts at Colchester RFC and with a couple of boys from Chelmsford and 14 rugby famished Billericay lads it was truly worth waiting for!
As the boys started to warm up 30 minutes before ko, the wind picked up, the torrential rain came down and we all went back inside until it passed. After drying off and the referee inspecting the pitch and deeming it playable, we trooped out again, this time in bright sunshine and blue sky !
The plan was to play 4 x 12.5 minute quarters to give all the boys playing time. The first quarter was Colchesters, helped by a strong wind at their backs and some very rusty tackling by Billericay and slow ruck play, the hosts were able to slip too easily through some gaps in the defensive line registering 3 tries to give them a commanding lead.
The Billericay boys regrouped in the break, talking through their problems and reassessing their tactics. The change in attitude was excellent, despite the strong wind against them, the Bees were starting to dominate in all areas, scrum after scrum was one by the black and gold with and against the head with scrum half Conor and fly half Harry D calling the shots and probing Colchesters defence with darting runs and quick ball movement. The midfield and forwards set up camp inside the opposition 22 and had 2 efforts held up before finally centre Alfie and a supporting pack drove over for a powerful first score for Billericay. Colchester bit back with a breakaway score but Billericay had the bit between their teeth now.
The wind was now with Billericay and they used it to their advantage, moving forward gradually through multiple phases of play and using a fantastic driving maul to great effect. The pressure finally told and Toby powered over for a great score early in the 3rd quarter. The Bees came back for more, the forwards dominating again and using superior strength against a hard working but tiring defence to get within scoring distance, the ball broke to prop Josh who dotted down from a powerful drive.
The 4th quarter was hard work for both teams, more driving mauls from Billericay, both sets of boys starting to feel the effects of lack of match time and the hard work in the wind. Billericay were pushing for their 4th try to even up the scores and it eventually came via Thomas at Number 8 after a sharp pick and go recycling more hard work by his fellow forwards.
It was a really good match and great to see the boys building on the success at Westcliff in the last game way back at the end of January !
Thankyou to Colchester for hosting and Chelmsford for bringing players also, a really positive day for U14 rugby in Essex with three clubs working hard to get a match on and giving boys game time.
What could make the day even better ?......
England 24 Ireland 12...... That will do nicely ! :)

Paul
Billericay RFC U14 Team Manager