COLCHESTER conquered Romford 66-10 in a dozen-try, bonus-point victory to stay top off London League division one north.

In an outstanding team performance 11 Colchester players contributed points, scoring from all parts of the field, including tries for each of the four brothers in the side.

Dry conditions and a good playing surface allowed Colchester to play the expansive 15-player running rugby that has taken them to the top this season.

Romford’s well-drilled pack were solid at set plays and recycled ball well, with scrum-half Tom Cameron linking well with skipper Steve Barfoot at number eight.

However, Colchester’s pack proved more mobile, winning turnovers and defending robustly, running combinations to link with their backs with good handling at pace to out perform their north London hosts.

Starting strongly, Colchester wing Joe Flexman fielded a Romford kick and counter-attacked from his own half to take play near the Romford line, where brother Nick ran in the opening try, in his first game as a flanker.

A yellow card for a potentially dangerous tackle reduced Romford to 14 players.

Reversing a Romford turnover, wing James Crozier made enough ground for skipper Calum Irvine to wriggle over to score.

The Colchester pack then won a Romford scrum put-in, scrum-half Ed Perry found Irvine who released full-back Brett Cutbush for a try.

Hooker Charlie Thorogood burst through the middle, flanker Ollie Pickett contined the charge to set brother Liam over in the corner for the bonus point fourth try within 25 minutes of play.

As Colchester eased off, Romford rallied.

A penalty kick line-out catch and drive preceded Ben Williams passing out of the tackle for fellow centre Paul Webb to grab a try back for a half-time score 20-5.

From the second half restart, Colchester flanker Danny Whiteman raced upfield, prop Joe McMillan took the ball on and recycled to Cutbush, who stepped outside his covering defender to score his second try.

The restart kick was again shipped upfield.

Fly-half David Higgins’ skilful cross-field kick was chased and caught by lock Ollie White for a try. Higgins’ conversion attempt rebounded off the crossbar. The first successful conversion points followed the eighth try of the game.

Whiteman made another telling break and Irvine’s grubber kick was collected by James Crozier for a try.

Higgins converted this and the next try following a determined solo run.

Ollie Pickett charged from his own half, showing a fine pair of heels and two powerful hand-offs to tiring defenders before crashing over the line with two tacklers in tow for a fine try to crown a great display.

Even missed passes went Colchester’s way when Irvine scooped the ball off the floor to dance through for his second try.

Romford suffered their second yellow for repeated offside – yet rallied to add a second try from Ben Lawrence after a penalty kick to touch and a line-out catch and drive.

Colchester responded with replacement prop Jerome Awesu supporting on Irvine’s shoulder to take the pass for the tenth try. Higgins drop-kicked the conversion.

Prop Jay Hatcher contributed an assist by running a quickly-taken penalty and linking with Joe Flexman for the wing to score.

Another quickly-taken penalty following a deliberate Romford knock-on enabled Colchester to flow upfield. Centre Matt Smith dived over for his team’s 12th trybefore referee David Herdman whistled to end the contest.