Colchester Romans youth rugby league side played their first competitive games at a nine-a-side tournament in London.

They travelled with 24 players and made up two squads of 12, each with an equal number of under-14s and under-15s.

One squad played as Colchester Romans and the other as Ipswich Rhinos.

The Romans were first up, taking on St Albans Centurions.

Although their opponents were bigger man for man, Colchester put in tackle after tackle to stop them breaking the gain line.

Romans took the lead just before half-time when a well-timed pass put Joe McMillan in space.

The second half saw Centurions struggle to make ground, despite their greater experience, and frustrations boiled over when a player was sent-off.

The St Albans coach decided to withdraw his team so Romans won their first game 4-0.

Rhinos took to the field against North London Skolars and, despite going 8-4 up at half-time, through a brace of David Smith tries, Skolars recovered to win 12-8.

The Romans' next opponents were Greenwich Admirals.

They took the game to their more experienced rivals but were unlucky to lose 12-8.

The Rhinos' second game was against a big side from West London.

Both sides tackled well but each scored two well-worked tries to go into half-time level at 8-8.

West London scored soon after the break but, with the Rhinos on the attack, a West London player was sent-off for a second high tackle.

Rhinos were able to dominate, with Smith and Hutchings each grabbing a hat-trick in a 28-12 win.

Romans' final game was against a well-organised South London Storm side and it was no surprise Colchester lost 16-4.

With only the top team from each group going through, Rhinos had to beat Upminster by four tries to reach the final but the squad has suffered a string of injuries, including a cut to the head for Chris Mills.

The remaining players fought to the end but could not not match Upminster, who won 16-4.

Published Tuesday, July 1, 2003

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