Seasiders warm-up with hard-fought win (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Seasiders warm-up with hard-fought win

1:05pm Thursday 20th September 2012 in Sport By Matt Plummer

CLACTON Rugby Club begin their Essex League division one campaign this weekend, on the back of an excellent work-out against Colchester Ravens.

Saturday’s match was a curtain-raiser for the Colchester first-team fixture against Diss.

James Garrod’s solo try from the halfway line, plus a well-rehearsed catch-and-drive from Lee Turner, put the visitors in a strong position.

Colchester pulled one back before Darren Hotten scored the Seasiders’ third.

Lonsdale Landscapes man-of-the-match Scott Amman then charged the ball down for a fourth.

Colchester pulled two converted tries back to make for a nail-biting final five minutes, but the Seasiders held on for a hard-fought 24-21 win.

Both Clacton sides are now focusing on their opening league fixtures.

Clacton’s first team take on Upper Clapton at Vista Road, while the Kestrels travel to Haverhill’s second team for their first Suffolk Merit League fixture. Both games kick-off at 3pm.