As we approach what is sometimes called the “business end” of the season there is still much to play for in the remaining weeks.Our rugby squad travelled the length of the country to play the most talented side in the North-West, Myerscough College, in the British colleges' Sport Elite League play-offs.

Neil Reader

As we approach what is sometimes called the “business end” of the season there is still much to play for in the remaining weeks.

Our rugby squad travelled the length of the country to play the most talented side in the North-West, Myerscough College, in the British colleges' Sport Elite League play-offs. The final score was Myerscough College 19 West Suffolk College 15.

We were dogged by injuries throughout the match, with prop Ben Howard, wing Pat Harrison and lock Josh Walker all out of action, but their replacements did sterling work.

Despite the scoreline, it was by far our best game for a long time and the players came away with their heads held high. A number of parents made the long haul to Blackpool to support the team.

Coach Nigel Brown said: “Players like Josh Brown, Jonny Finn, Mikey Bellamy and skipper Tim Mann led by example and to a man, the players have raised their game. It is through playing quality sides like this that we can judge where we stand amongst the Rugby Elite colleges.”

We are now starting to look at players for next year and we can build on this. Anyone interested in joining the rugby squad should contact Nigel on 01284 716368.

The male football squad are unable to make the play-off in their equivalent league but still look set for a respectable finish.

Three points at Chesterfield made another long trip worthwhile, as we returned from Derbyshire with an excellent 2-1 win. All the goals came in the second half.

We took the lead through Matt Chaplin but were undone with 10 minutes left when a lack of concentration at the back cost us dearly. However, that man Chaplin was on hand to secure the points in the closing stages when he found the top corner after a fine move.

Team Bury continue to catch up, but last Saturday they had to be content with a goalless draw at White Notley. The match was played in gale force conditions and a passing hailstorm actually forced the referee to take the players into the changing rooms for a brief period.

A draw was a fair result, although we could have nicked it late on when Ben Licence and Julian Castell both went close. A tense end of the season in the Essex and Suffolk Border League awaits.