Newmarket RUFC U14s Shine Under the Springtime Sun in Colchester Triumph

Some days pass us by in sport: the mundane, the routine, the well-trodden ground. The “same old, same old.” The already-covered terrain. But some days, very rarely, feel different. The planets align. The rhythm is right. Things fall into place in slow motion.

Welcome to one of those days.

Hosted by Colchester RUFC and featuring a stellar line-up of teams from Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire and Essex, today we competed for The John Motum Plate, and wrote a little chapter of our own.

The Jockeys, fresh from a peak performance versus St Ives, arrived with quiet belief that there was more in the tank.

Opening their pool games against a strong Ipswich side, it was clear that Newmarket’s forwards had found a new level of fitness, aggression and clarity. They dominated the rucks, the holy grail of defence, and secured a deserved win. Competent results over Mistley and Sudbury followed, setting up the sternest test: Bishop’s Stortford.

Stortford are giants. A membership the size of a small army. A clubhouse resembling a medium-sized Travelodge. By comparison, Newmarket might have suggested a mismatch. Think again.

This Newmarket team is blessed with coaches who are architects as much as tacticians, giving players clarity, freedom and the courage to play bold rugby. Against Stortford, they recycled quickly, attacked from deep, and moved the ball with fearless creativity. What unfolded was ruthless, clinical, and relentless execution — a performance painted across the pitch with the swagger of artists who know exactly what they’re doing.

The stage was set: a final against the hosts, Colchester.

Newmarket began robustly, their forward pack unrecognisable from the side that had lost the breakdown battle earlier in the season. This was a different day. This was some day. Ben C’s dart from the base of the ruck created space, cool hands moved the ball wide, and Kian finished with composure. Soon after, fierce work at the breakdown and sharp support play saw Louis stride through for another.

Colchester rallied, capitalising on a Newmarket gamble deep in their own territory to cross for a converted score. But this was not a day for panic. Calm heads. Trust in the system. Strength in the group.

And then — another classic Newmarket phase of play. Kian crossed for his second, orchestrated as ever by the ever-impressive Noah W, a wartime general in modern boots.

The final whistle blew beneath a resplendent butterscotch springtime sun. And some days, some very special days, will live long in the memory. Some days are about silverware. Some days are about performances. Some days are about pride in a jersey.

But some days, some days, are simply about joy. This was one of those days.