The Eastern Rhinos eased past the Northampton Demons of the Midlands Premier Division to lift the Action For The Wild Cup and claim a place in the last 16 of the new National Community Shield.

Captain Adam Cook was presented with the Action For The Wild Cup by Wendy Lehkyj of Colchester Zoo and in thanking the Zoo for their participation said “The Rhinos are proud to be the first winners of this challenge cup and proud to be associated with Colchester Zoo and the very important work that the zoo’s Action For The Wild charity does and we look forward to a long association with Colchester Zoo.

Early season injuries and unavailability’s gave the Rhinos Coaches some difficult selection decisions which included first team call ups for three Under 18’s Alex Gardiner, George O’Connor, and Joe Warrick all products of the Rhinos youth system and gave outstanding performances.

The Rhinos ripped into the Demons from the start causing a knock on from the kick off and with a fast attacking set spread the ball the width of the pitch for Alex Gardiner to score in the corner. From the restart the Rhinos attacked again, the Demons failed to deal with the kick on the last tackle and the Rhino regained possession. James Calnan came close to scoring in the corner but under pressure off loaded to Darryl Walters to touch down..

Northampton responded with a converted try of their own with a player breaking the defensive line and running in from 30 metres but the Rhinos hit back with slick passing from a penalty moved setting up Ed Holland to battle over the line from close range. Despite difficult touchline kicks Pete LeMarquand converted all three tries for a 18-6 lead.

The Demons exploited gaps wide left in the Rhinos defence to add an unconverted try but the Rhinos maintained their territorial advantage, Adam Cook scooting from 20 metres and rolling out of tackles to score. The Demons found the powerful forwards Andy Windridge , ScottWarner and Brendan Cook difficult to contain and with seconds on the clock the three combined from a penalty to blast a hole through the Demons defence but man of the match Scott Warner was held on the line whilst the referee called half time with the Rhinos ahead 22-12.

From the restart the Rhinos put the Demons under pressure and only resolute defending kept the Rhinos from extending their lead, until the 54 minute when Brendan Cook was held under the posts allowing Adam Cook to scoot from a metre out and burrow under defenders to touch down. Northampton responded well with a strong attacking set to exploit men on the over lap and score wide and could have added further tries but their handling let them down in the last quarter of the pitch. Harry Warrick capped a fine performance with an inception that enabled Brett Cuttbush to dummy his tacklers and cut back inside to score under the posts and minutes later Darryl Walters broke the defensive line to set Brett Cuttbush up for a second try both of which he converted to give the Rhinos a comfortable 40-16 lead.

On the stoke of full time Northampton scored a consolation try when a long cross field ball was touched down by their winger making the final score Eastern Rhinos 40 Northampton Demons 20.

The Rhinos victory means that they are now in the last 16 of the National Community Shield and must wait and see who their opposition will be in this weeks draw. Next week 26th May they are in league action with both the senior and under 18 sides entertaining South London Storm at Colchester Rugby Club.