Half-term is now upon us, and sports academy students are enjoying a well-earned break. Team Bury's scheduled match at Swaffham was postponed as seven of our squad had been selected for the Suffolk Under-18 team that played Hertfordshire.

Half-term is now upon us, and sports academy students are enjoying a well-earned break.

Team Bury's scheduled match at Swaffham was postponed as seven of our squad had been selected for the Suffolk Under-18 team that played Hertfordshire. They were Nick Pope, Elliot Hunter, Daniel Hitchin, Luke Ingram, Josh Curry, Fred Howe and Joe Boreham. Suffolk won the game 4-0.

Our female footballers hosted Colchester United Ladies Academy team, who are based at Thurstable School in Essex. After a promising opening period that produced some decent play by both teams, Colchester took the lead when a visiting player was allowed too much space and scored from the edge of the box.

We nearly drew level when a long through-ball caught out the Colchester keeper but, cruelly, the ball struck a post. Despite our efforts we tired in the second half and Colchester scored a further five goals. We did manage a consolation in the dying stages when Danielle Bitten got on the score sheet.

The Rugby lads didn't have any midweek action but took up their annual invitation to participate in the Felsted School Festival. Having been delayed by the bus, our players were greeted by the organisers chivvying them along with only 15 minutes before their first game.

To the players' credit, they found the changing rooms quickly, changed and warmed up on their jog to the pitch.

Coach Nigel Brown was pleased with the squad's performance. He said: “We used the day to allow lads who are hoping to join the academy next year a chance to play in a meaningful game. To their credit Richard Duchesne, Ruaraidh Williams, Michael Jones, Sam Bixby and Matt Briggs all played well. You could not tell they were a year younger than the other competitors.”

In addition to the rugby, our lads were also collecting for this year's charity, the Radiotherapy Unit at Ipswich Hospital, raising a staggering �180. They also sold a couple of the specially designed pink shirts, adorned with the image of a bra above a muscular six-pack.