COLCHESTER GLADIATORS 6

CAMBRIDGESHIRE CATS 28

National League Division One Southern Conference East

THE Colchester Gladiators were left still looking for their first win of the season after an error strewn display allowed the visiting Cambridgeshire Cats to consign them to a third defeat.

Colchester battled hard throughout, with the defence doing a sound job of holding a decent Cats offence, but key special team mistakes and turnovers at crucial times, condemned the Gladiators to another frustrating defeat.

Head Coach Luke Box was disappointed with the result and the performance of the offence.

He said: “We felt good going into the game but the offence just couldn't get going.

"The defensive unit did a great job only breaking after being left in a difficult spot by either the offence or special teams.

"However there were some positives to take away.

"Wide receiver Sam Gennings had a couple of great catches and relief running back Eddie Collison made the most of his touches with a couple of big runs.

"We now have a week of practice to prepare for the London O's rematch on June 4.”

The opening exchanges were promising for Colchester with the Cats unable to move the ball against a fired-up Gladiators defence but the offence also struggled and the first mistake enabled the Cats to open the scoring for an 8-0 lead.

The Cats almost returned the gift on the very next drive with a poor snap, but they escaped when they recovered a Gladiators fumble and made them pay after another special teams gaffe.

A couple of penalties and good tackling by Mark Gilbranch and Matt Thompson forced the kick away but returner Andy Xheka could not hang on to the ball which bounced straight into the arms of a Cambridge player.

More good defence appeared to have stopped the Cats' march but a defensive pass interference penalty on fourth down breathed new life into the drive and they made no mistake to open a 14-0 lead that remained intact until half-time.

The Gladiators received the second half kick off and their beleaguered offence started to show some signs of life, but there was no further scoring in the third quarter.

Cambridge added to their score early in the fourth quarter , though, with a two yard run after a Gladiators interception but the hosts finally hit back with a score of their own after a 13 play, 80-yard drive, keyed by a ten-yard run from Casey Campbell and a 25-yard pass from Wickham to Andrew Cairns. Wickham picked out Sam Gennings in the end zone for a six-yard score to close the gap to 21-6.

However, the Cats wasted no time in regaining their 21-point lead, with a perfectly-thrown 50-yard bomb and an extra point taking the final score to 28-6.

The Gladiators have a week off to work on their game before returning to league action as they travel to take on the London Olympians on June 4.