In the latest round-up of the local rugby action, Colchester and Sudbury enjoy wins in London One North, while Stowmarket and Southwold both triumph in the league below.
London One North
High-flying COLCHESTER kept their fine form going with a 34-17 win over Eton Manor.
Dave Brennan opened the scoring for the Blacks, but Manor hit back to level it at 5-5, before taking the lead with a converted try to make it 12-5.
Back came Colchester, the pack driving Dan Brennan over for his first try, and man-of-the-match James Mitchell crossing just before half-time to give them the lead.
Hooker Dan Brennan added his second after the break, while Mitchell also crossed twice to claim his trio, with Manor going over for an unconverted consolation try.
Elsewhere, SUDBURY had a fine win at home, seeing off fourth-placed Old Haberdashers 32-27 to boost their position above the relegation scrap.
Hab’s took the lead after 12 minutes, with Tom Summers replying with a penalty for Sudbury. Soon they were ahead, Shaun Smith going over for a quickfire double, pegged back by another Hab’s try for a 15-10 half-time lead.
Sudbury powered ahead in the second stanza, star man Andy Goodbourn crossing, before Smith completed his hat-trick and Harry Maile also scored.
Up 32-10 they relaxed and Hab’s battled back to make the scoreline respectable.
London Two North East
STOWMARKET shut out South Woodham Ferrers 26-0, despite losing the possession battle at home.
Dotun Ogunkeyede grabbed a hat-trick, while Leif Bjorsen added a fourth try as Stow moved up to third place in the league – they travel to second-top Romford and Gidea Park this weekend.
Suffolk rivals SOUTHWOLD also enjoyed a good win, crushing Essex visitors Saffron Walden – a side some 14 points above them in the league – 34-13.
Ollie Carlstroem crossed to get the ball rolling, while Josh Wallis also touched-down to mnake it 10-3 Wold at the break.
James Hall got a try shortly after the break, followed by Cemil Duruk, and Wold were 22-3 up.
Walden got a try back, but Chippy Middleditch added a brace to put the game beyond them.
London Three Eastern Counties
WOODBRIDGE WARRIORS were beaten 29-24 at home by Thetford, who got revenge for a one point loss to the Suffolk side in October.
The visitors had to fight hard in the first session for a push over try by hooker Richard Sharp and to score out wide through winger Kristopher Minter. Woodbridge defended well and showed some dangerous touches from forwards Jono Cooke, Aldis Salavejs and Tony Moseley to be rewarded by a late try from hooker Billy King.
Thetford were sharper from the restart, with two breakaway tries from scrum-half Chris Thomas and then fly-half Matt Trede.
With the score-line 5-24 the Warriors looked well beaten but within minutes some slick passing and favourable penalties saw King over again and spirits started to rise. The packs scrapped for possession and both defences were tested until Woodbridge prop Luke Norman dotted down from another attack and wing Simon Ward did the same levelling the score at 24 apiece.
An exciting last eight minutes saw Thetford’s Sharp score again and win the game.
London Three Essex
CHELMSFORD lost 17-10 at home to East London, with Jordan Ayling slotting a penalty and crossing for a try to give them a 10-3 lead.
Sadly, a number of penalties and yellow cards saw the home side reduced to 13 men, and they couldn’t hold off East London.
Meanwhile, BRAINTREE were well-beaten 52-15 at home by leaders Epping Upper Clapton, with Glen Whyatt, Joe Meade and Tom Drew crossing for ‘Tree.
Eastern Counties One
HADLEIGH RAMS saw off Newmarket 36-19, with Jake Kerr and Bailey Unwin getting them off to a flying start.
Charlie Eaden crossed too, and it was 17-0 at the break.
Ryan Steer secured the bonus point in the second period, before Hadleigh fell to sleep and Newmarket scored three unanswered tries.
Eaden crossed again to steady the ship, and the Rams finished strong with a great team try from Charlie Shepherd.
The Rams are now three points clear at the top, and visit second-placed Beccles this weekend.
Women
The WOODBRIDGE AMAZONS shot down the CHELMSFORD BLUEBIRDS, winning 36-0.
Tries came from Helen Self, Claire Brickley, Frances Saunders, Christina Murgatroyd and others.
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