Colchester Kings LGBTQ+ men’s team played inaugural game

After 11 weeks of training, they took on Colchester fourths and fifths in their first-ever game, at Raven Park.

And despite losing 38-7, the Kings put in a good performances against the fourth and fifth teams mix of seasoned players from the Cavaliers and Roundheads.

Sam Biscoe, who has been inspirational in setting up the Kings, said: “No matter what the score, I am so proud of the lads who all did well.

“It’s so nice that Colchester Rugby Club provide a safe space for our guys to play and also enjoy the social side of rugby.”

Playing in Black, the fourths and fifths got the scoring underway after ten minutes when centre Titch Rogers burst through the defence to score a fine try that skipper Bart Wilkinson converted.

The Kings came back from the restart with fullback Chris Chalker catching the eye with his weaving runs and fine kicking.

With 20 minutes on the clock the Blacks attacked the Kings try line, but a sound tackle denied flanker Joe Read a score.

However further Blacks pressure and deft passing enabled right wing Ash to race through for a converted try to make it 14-0 before half-time.

At the start of the second half, the Blacks used their greater experience to work their way and Smudge Smith claimed an unconverted try bringing the score to 19-0.

Ten minutes later, at last flanker, Read, got his score finishing off a good break by Dan Land.

The try was converted, to put the Blacks 26-0 ahead.

Then came the moment the large crowd had been waiting for!

The Kings’ forwards had been denied two possible tries after the referee decided in each case that the ball was held up.

But to a man, they kept attacking the Blacks line until they earned a scrum five.

The ball was won and number eight Thomas Cordington stormed over for this new team’s first-ever try, with great applause echoing around Raven Park.

In the dying moments of the game, the Blacks added a further two tries to make the final score 38-7.

The Kings had shown great spirit led by the example of their hooker and skipper Jay Rungen and the trusty boot of fly half Max Rose-Horne.

All credit to the lads, some of whom were playing their first game of rugby.

The fourths and fifths skipper Bart Wilkinson was very gracious afterwards, saying that all his team were glad to be involved in the Kings’ first game which was very competitive for the full 80 minutes.

Needless to say, the post-match celebrations lasted long into the evening!