Brentwood U15s 12 Colchester U15s 22

Brentwood beaten despite good performance…

The forwards, as ever, started the game well. Keeping the ball tight they made their way up the field, deep into Colchester territory however when the ball was turned over the Colchester backs looked extremely dangerous, some good tackles just managing to stop their momentum.

Brentwood managed to regain possession and a series of good bursts from Charlie, Sam Fry and Chris McCarthy (hop along apparently) again put Brentwood in a good position. The game was brutal, lots of collisions and crushing defence from Colchester but Brentwood continued to pressurise, the forwards working hard to recycle possession and good yards being made. Despite all this pressure the boys could just not finish, a lose pass stopping momentum until Sam Fry hovered up extremely well with a great pick up and good strength to make yards from a standing start, a penalty conceded allowing Colchester to temporarily clear their lines and the ball getting stuck at the bottom of the ruck stopping Brentwood from getting quick ball to launch another attack. The latter caused Sam Morgan to yell rather loudly at his team that he wanted “more sexy ball” er what Sam?

Brentwood’s best period of pressure came towards the end of the first half when having been camped in the Colchester 22 for the vast majority of the game so far they edged nearer and nearer to the line, getting so near that in trying to win back the ball Colchester conceded a penalty. It was tapped quickly but Colchester was on the ball and no one could sneak over before the defence had time to reform. More bashing away at the line saw Colchester kill the ball and give away another penalty. The lineout was never an option unless someone had a stepladder handy so it was crying out for a tap to one of the forwards but for some odd reason the boys decided they were going to pass. Now I know I complain when you don’t pass and now I’m complaining when you do but that really wasn’t the time! The result was that Brentwood went backwards about ten yards and lost momentum. Worse still the ball was turned over and Colchester were off on the counter attack, the raw pace of some of their backs saw them running rings around the scrambling Brentwood defence and even though some good tackles were put in Colchester always had a man in support to continue the move. The result was Colchester scored a length of the field try just before half time. The conversion was missed, 5-0 Colchester.

In the minutes remaining before the half time whistle went Brentwood tried desperately hard to get a score with the forwards, particularly Chris McCarthy and William, working hard around the fringes to make ground but the Colchester defence held firm until half time.

The second half saw Brentwood start even more determined but Colchester began to employ ‘boot the ball up the pitch and let the fast kids chase it’ tactics which saw Brentwood under all sorts of pressure as they desperately tried to clear up. A couple of lose kicks back from Brentwood probably didn’t help the cause and they were struggling to get out of their own 22 for a period. In spite of this the defence was strong with everyone making their tackles and the ball was eventually turned as a result of good defence. Unfortunately Brentwood’s eagerness to run the ball even though they were deep in there 22 gifted Colchester another score from an intercepted pass. The conversion was missed, 10-0 Colchester.

The restart saw Sam Morgan fly after the ball in a way which would make Lewis Moody look tame and absolutely clatter the Colchester player who caught it. As a result the ball was turned and with Colchester back peddling at a rate of knots Brentwood quickly advanced down the field. The forwards were picking and driving well and soon were only a few metres from the try line with most of the Colchester defence sucked in leaving the backs wide open. A difference in coaching opinions heard one-person yell “Get it to the backs!” whilst another replied “Keep it tight lads!” The forwards, having done most of the work to get downfield, were not about to let the backs take the glory and so chose the latter piece of advice with William, deadly from 2 metres, going over. The conversion was missed, 10-5 Colchester.

Colchester, however, were straight back to score at the end when a decidedly iffy looking obstruction was waved on by the referee (just because he’s got his hands in the air doesn’t mean he’s not in the way…) and the ball was spread quickly to the Colchester winger who evaded the covering defence to go in the corner. This time the conversion was successful, 17-5 to Colchester.

Brentwood didn’t cave in and give up though with more good picking and driving from the forwards, strong runs by some of the backs and Matt Whaley’s lethally quick heel nicking scrums against the head sending Brentwood back down the field. After numerous phases of play Brentwood found themselves camped on the try line again and when a small gap opened up on the fringe of a ruck directly in front of the posts Billy dived for it and had long enough arms to get the ball on the line to score. Chris Doble successfully kicked the conversion, 17-12 to Colchester.

The dramatic comeback was on however it was not to be, Colchester sealing the win when Brentwood conceded a penalty, the defence dosed off and Colchester were straight through the middle. Once they were in behind the defence there was no way any one would get close to them with their pace and they were in to score. The full time whistle was blown, 22-12 to Colchester.

Although Brentwood have now suffered their second loss of the season many positives can be taken from this game as it was a good team performance with everyone doing the best they possibly could and the boys grit and determination showing to try and get themselves back in the game.