COLCHESTER Rugby Club laid down a definitive statement of their soaring confidence and ability with an outstanding 27-3 victory at in-form Shelford, writes EDWARD MARRIAGE.
The Cambridgeshire side had been unbeaten at home for nearly two years but that record was obliterated as Colchester restricted their hosts to a single penalty goal while securing a try-scoring bonus point for the ninth match running.
In the process Colchester climbed to second in National Three, their highest-ever league position in the club’s 98-year history.
Fielding a near-full strength team, Colchester faced a stiff wind and dipping sun in the first half but despite playing into the elements it was honours-even, the sides exchanging penalties kicked by Chris Lewis and Lewis Cracknell.
Pinned back in their own half for long periods, Colchester’s defence was resolute, a point duly recognised by head coach Craig Burrows.
He said: “We’ve scored a lot of tries this season but we’ve also conceded quite a few points. That was a massive work-on last week. I think the boys really won the match in the first half.”
The slickest move of the half led to the opening try. Wing Ross Taylor broke down the middle, off-loading to Jacob Bodkin who passed back to Taylor for a run-in under the posts.
Lewis converted to put Colchester 10-3 up at the break.
With Joe McMillan on for James Mitchell and the wind at their backs, Colchester came close to a second try soon after the break.
Connor O’Reilly, who troubled the Shelford defence throughout, was tackled just short of the line.
No matter. With Colchester’s latest recruit, the giant Kiwi lock Tahi Poasa making his debut off the bench, O’Reilly once again went close from a lineout, only for Harrison Pickett - who’d become a father for the second time on New Year’s Eve - to touch down.
Shelford’s difficulties multiplied as they were reduced to 14 men and Brett Cutbush, back from his southern hemisphere sojourn, replaced Corey Button and James Mitchell returned for brother Alex.
As a tiring Shelford attempted to run the ball out from their own line, centre Adam Thomas pounced on a handling error for the third try.
Not content with four points, The Blacks laid siege to the Shelford line, determined to collect a barely-expected bonus point try. Fittingly it was skipper Sam Easton who scored it, Lewis’s conversion putting the icing on the cake.
Burrows was delighted to come to a side like Shelford and win convincingly, especially after Colchester had lost badly in the first fixture at Raven Park back in October.
He added: “It’s good to see where we are. To come out here and give them no tries shows we are really heading in the right direction.”
Cam Kerr and Harrison Pickett shared the man-of-the-match bubbly.
Next up for Colchester is a home match against bottom club Medway on Saturday (3pm).
Elsewhere on a good day for Colchester teams, The Ravens scored 12 tries in a 72-10 home win against Cottenham to go fifth in their league.
The Cavaliers won 12-29 at Ipswich YM, The Roundheads lost 31-12 at Woodbridge and Colchester Kings celebrated their first-ever win, 36-38 at Maldon.
Colchester: Mpailane, O’Reilly, Bodkin, Thomas, Taylor, Lewis, Button; J Mitchell, Butler, A Mitchell, Easton (c), L Pickett, Kerr, Whiteman, H Pickett. Reps: McMillan, Poasa, Cutbush.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here