Woodford's Under-19s won the Essex Colts Cup for the third time in five seasons after beating Westcliff 15-3 last Sunday.

Held at Barking RFC, this was Woodford’s fifth final in a row in this competition but the two teams have been fierce rivals for a long time and the match was full of hard, combative, exciting rugby.

Westcliff nearly scored twice in the opening minutes, but two try-saving tackles by Albie Phillips ensured the Woodford line was not breached.

Woodford’s Ian Bukenya went close to scoring after making a storming run but was shoulder charged near the line and Westcliff were perhaps lucky not to be penalised.

The opening score of the day came when Woodford were awarded a penalty in midfield. Cameron Dutch seized the ball, took a quick tap penalty, side-stepped his way past some dazed Westcliff defenders and dived over for a well-deserved try.

Westcliff bounced back with a penalty to make the score 5-3 at the break and the game remained tight early into the second period.

The deadlock was broken by Woodford though, when a well-rehearsed backs move led to centre Liam Sanderson outpacing his opposite number to touchdown under the posts. Phillips converted to give his side a 12-3 lead.

Westcliff continued to look dangerous but the result was secured when Harry Jackson passed the ball to Dutch, who hit a well-struck drop-goal from 30 metres out to secure the trophy.

Meanwhile, international opposition awaited Woodford Under-14s last Friday as they came from behind to beat a touring side from Rotterdam 38-31.

The tourists started the stronger and despite good tackling from Woodford’s Euan Fay and Arun Vaid, Rotterdam scored first and after nine minutes touched down again to make it 12-0.

The hosts didn’t let their heads drop though, and just before the quarter-of-an-hour mark, Mick Chamberlain set up Will Carey to drive over the line for a try.

Rotterdam nearly scored a third minutes later but Tom Fitzpatrick did well to chase back and prevent an almost certain score.

The Dutch team continued to look threatening on the counter attack however and were able to extend their lead with another try but Woodford hit back as Tom Mead nipped over the line after good work from Jed West, reducing the gap to 19-12 at half-time.

Woodford rotated players at the break but it was Rotterdam who were out of the blocks fastest, adding two more tries to their tally to establish a commanding 31-12 lead.

The last 20 minutes of the match however were to prove the most important.

Alex Marks reacted first to a loose ball and put it down over the line before converting his own try to make it 31-19 and give Woodford hope.

Rotterdam’s early superiority was now long forgotten and Woodford were exerting most of the pressure with a strong and determined pack, good rucking and quick passing moves.

The hosts maintained the momentum as West scored a try on the left and almost immediately Mead carved open the Rotterdam defence, passed to Curness, who set up Hamilton for another try on 42 minutes. With Marks converting, Woodford were equal at 31-31 and the comeback was completed as Max Venditti and Fay combined to release man-of-the-match Mead, before Curness finished off another well-worked try.

With Woodford leading 38-31 with six minutes to play, Rotterdam piled the pressure on but the hosts held on to record a memorable win.