Sudbury U18s Colts 25 vs CRFC U18s Colts (Crusaders) 0

Our U18s Crusaders made the short trip through the glorious Essex countryside through the stunning village of Bures to play a freshly arranged friendly fixture with Sudbury Colts.

Sadly, by Sunday morning the Crusaders side had been reduced to 17 players due to illness and unavailability.

Thankfully, several the Chiefs supporting players who made the journey after their car troubles had brought their boots as a cover blanket should they be required -although full priority was for the Crusader lads that need game time.

The two teams rarely meet due to Sudbury playing within the Suffolk leagues, so it was a nice change to play a team away from our usual haunts.

Sudbury, over the years have fielded some very good teams and its testament to the club and their coaches how they manage to stay in such a position. Sudbury’s current first team is made up largely of their Colts players over the last few years and play a league division above that of Chelmsfords current first team. The game was agreed to be played in quarters to give as much game time to the players with periodic feedback so would always be a bit disjointed.

The sides where very evenly matched throughout the game and Sudbury only really managed to pull away through the odd mistake but credit to them for playing some entertaining rugby as did our lads at times. The score-line doesn't reflect the effort the Crusaders lads put into this game and deserved to cross the line but they just couldn't quite ensure they finished their efforts. Chelmsford will feel disappointed they could not finish the many chances to score as it was Sudbury’s turnover that spurned any chances the Crusaders made.

Sudbury can also feel unlucky not to have scored themselves as it was the Crusaders dogged defence ans workrate on their own line that managed to stop Sudbury on numerous occasions and forcing Sudbury to make mistakes.

As this team are in much need of game time its important they all start their journey believing in each other and getting comfortable how we want the game to be played. How we control field position and how we will start manipulating the opposition.

Our defence is good we now need to work on other areas especially the 50/50 balls and counter rucking where had we applied 1 or 2 more players we would of made Sudbury panic and commit more to the ruck.

As it was Sudbury’s movement and quick crisp ball allowed them to shift play well and pass through their hands to gain field position.

We cut them down and cut the space we will start winning the small areas of the game we are very capable of winning.

This Crusader team are getting better, and the future looks strong.

Today was a good day and a learning one for the lads who do not need to feel they lost the game they just had a small lesson.

This group have showed they are very capable of pushing sides like Sudbury on any given day.

Thank you to everyone who made the journey, as well as the added support from the older lads who came up from the Chiefs side.

Special thanks to Sudbury RFC for agreeing and hosting and supplying the referee who had an excellent game that was very fairly played.

We look forward to arranging a second fixture back at Corrie Park this season.

Final score.....

Sudbury U18s Colts - 25
CRFC U18s Crusaders - 0

Next Sunday see’s the Chiefs back in league action against Rochford Colts KO 10:30am.
The whole squad will be fully engaged at this week's training to push the group on further.