H&D 17 - 36 Colchester II

Both sides were keen to play some attacking rugby and this was evident from the kick off when Colchester pressured the home side, stretching play from wing to wing and playing some smooth flowing rugby which many teams would struggle to defend against.

Within 10 minutes Colchester had broken the deadlock with a good move in the middle of the park that spread wide for the back line to break through and score. It may have seemed that Harwich could be in for a long afternoon, but as ever, the home team started to add their own stamp on the game, with strong forward carrying and some wonderfully skillful back line play, seeing Harwich score in the corner with Andrew Sterry after using his electric pace to score down the wing.

It was clear that both sides had come to play rugby and with the game being played at a frantic pace, some genuine skills and flowing rugby were on display from both sides.

Colchester started to get their offload game flowing through their forward pack which led to some strong go forward ball. With Harwich n the back foot, Colchester were able to spread the ball again and break the defensive line to score again after some very good attacking rugby.

As well as showing off the attacking skills within both teams, it's fair to say both sides showed some very strong defensive skills with both sides coming close to each others lines and being repelled with some great tackling and turn over play preventing any further scores during the half. The physicality of the game was evident for all to see as both sides lost players to hard contested tackling!!!

With the second half under way, it was clear both teams were planning to pick up from where they left off, and the physicality seemed to step up another level. both sets of forwards were keen to get the upper hand, and Colchester showed some moments of dominance in the scrum.

After some further solid forward play, Colchester were again able to break the Harwich defence and score with a converted try.

Once again the home side fought back with some of their own flamboyant attacking flair. After some good offloading and well worked forward play in the middle of the pitch, Harwich's debutante fullback Josh Spearing was able to take the ball from the forwards and attack the Colchester line and after half breaking a tackle, offloaded to Mills, who rolled back the considerable years to show his previous back line pace to gallop to the line, only to be stopped by a wonderful last ditch tackle centimeters from scoring, leaving wonder scrum Half, Tom Kite to pick up and swan dive over for the score.

As the game drew into the last quarter, both sides continued to battle away and with some tired legs becoming apparent, Colchester were able to run two more tries in in quick succession, extending their lead.

However, playing at home in front of some wonderful supporters, Harwich were not ready to throw the towel in just yet and grafted their way down the pitch once again and after putting Colchester under some sustained pressure, were able to gain a penalty 5 metres out from the Colchester line. Typically this would result in a well orchestrated move with the aim of finishing over the line. But not today. Today it was the turn of Nemani Ledua to pick the ball up and run at as many Colchester players as possible, whilst still managing to force his way over the line for the last score of the game.

Colchester once again went on the attack and after some stout Harwich defence near their own line, Colchester lost one of their front row players resulting in uncontested scrums. Although they applied more and more pressure to go over the line, Harwich were able to stand firm and clear their lines after a wonderful turn over which saw the final whistle.

Both sides played some cracking rugby ad praise goes out to Colchester for bringing a side down at such short notice to make a game and with the final score showing as 17-36, both sides left the pitch happy with the result and knowing that a superb game of rugby had been witnessed by the Low Road crowd.

Men of the match went to Ben Moore and Simon Keen for some outstanding individual performances as well as an obligatory birthday pint for veteran front rower Paul Sewell.

Next week Harwich 1st XV travel to Millwall ( E14 3DN, 3pm Kick Off) whilst the 2nd XV host Colchester 4th team at Low road, 3pm KO, clubhouse open from midday.

Report by Robert Wood.