YM Win A Floodlight Friday Fixture

On a windy Friday evening under floodlights YM’s second XV hosted Colchester V in a Green King Eastern Counties 3 South league match.

Within 3 minutes YM provided a display of their intent through a series of flowing rugby phases that saw Ian Girling create confusion amongst the Essex defence with a devastating sidestep and off load to Brandon Morris who went over for YM’s first score. Scott Dunbar kicked the first of many conversions to follow for a 7-0 lead.

Colchester pressurised the YM defence as the game progressed but was relieved by George Vata for the home side as he gained possession and run the ball out of the 22 and into the opposition half.

YM spread the ball wide from a ruck and good handling led to Olly Loomes cutting back through the Colchester line to score under the posts with the additional points secured by Scott Dunbar to double the home team advantage.

The home side defended well and soaked up the pressure from the Colchester sustained attack. Advancing into the opposition half, YM through Angus Gilmore carried well before two more phases saw Jamie Goldsmith cross the line for a 3rd home try, converted by Scott Dunbar for a 21-0 lead.

The Hawks gained a line-out from a penalty which saw Barrie Alford collect and powerfully run through the Colchester defence for a 4th converted try.
In the last minute of the first half continued pressure from YM led to a 5th try after strong running by Nathan Richards, which again was converted by Scott Dunbar.

YM continued the second half as they had finished with a blistering run from Ian Girling and supply to Matthew Rolfe for a 42-0 lead, with the additional points added by Scott Dunbar.

Minutes later YM were again in attack when Colby Hack ran through the Essex defence from 30 metres out to touch down under the uprights. With Scott Dunbar’s boot the lead was taken to 49-0.

Scott Dunbar as scrum half showed a dummy to the Colchester forwards at a breakdown and seized on a gap to cut inside and score a try under the posts from inside the 22. Kicking the conversion he moved YM’s lead to 56-0.

The home side were encouraged by the touchline support and the scores continued through Brandon Morris who ran in from within YM’s own half to extend the lead to 61-0.

YM were soon again on the attack through Brandon Morris who fed George Bentley to go over for his first YM try on his debut for the club and this was duly converted by Scott Dunbar.

Adding to the YM tally, George Vata topped an excellent performance and was the next YM player to cross the Colchester try line which together with the conversion brought the score to 75-0.

The visitors continued to play good rugby and after a sustained period camped inside YM’s 22, Alan Grogan pierced the home sides defence for an unconverted try to make the score 75-5.

The Hawks reply came in the final minute where strong running through Steve Rendall gained territory in the Colchester 22 and ball fed through the backs from a scrum allowed Matthew Rolfe to cross the line for the final score of the match and secure a victory of 82-5.

Report by Nick Bentley