Colchester U16A 12 Thurrock U16A 10
Colchester and Thurrock proved to be very closely matched teams with Colchester starting a little better to gain the early try earned through a series of forwards movements and finished off by flanker Gareth Sanders-Crook. Thurrock struck back late in the first half to score out wide to level the scores at 5 points all by half time.
Colchester had a good start to the second half with inside centre Owen Cowley breaking through to make 20 metres and then kicking on to allow winger Laren Roper to pick up and take the ball deep into Thurrock’s half. Following quick ball from the ensuing ruck, scrum half Jamie Murray broke through the defensive line to score under the posts which was converted by Jessie Fearn. Thurrock then turned up the heat to pin Colchester down for long periods in their own 22. Eventually Thurrock turned that pressure into points but crucially the conversion attempt bounced back off the upright to deny Thurrock the two points to level the scores. Wave after wave of attacking play from Thurrock was repelled by Colchester’s defence which proved just enough to secure the win 12:10

Colchester U16C 35 Thurrock U16B 31
This was a memorable game of rugby in which both sides contributed equally. Well contested in all aspects of play, the larger Thurrock pack edged aspects of the forward play but the Colchester backs were slicker and more creative than their opposite opponents. Played in very good spirit, both sides scored five tries but it was the higher conversion ratio from the home side that won Colchester the game..
The home side got off to a poor start and conceded a try after only a few minutes to put themselves behind early. However, an immediate response developed. Inside centre Ben Ward was unlucky to be held up after chasing down his own kick ahead but from the resulting scrum and ruck, second row Jimmy Mills drove over for his first try of the season. Outside centre Matt Thompson then threw a great dummy to create himself the space to run in to give Colchester the lead. Thurrock then came more into the game and drove over from close range to equalise the score before the away forwards picked up a dropped ball and again scored from close range to give the away side the lead. As the half came to a close, the home backs again worked the ball forward to allow flanker Jaigo Gardiner the space to dive over to equalise the score on half time. Half Time: Colchester C 21 Thurrock B 21
The second half, as the first, started with some strong Thurrock pressure. However, a terrific breakout by prop Alfie Barnes developed play inside the opposition half allowing the forwards the opportunity to further move the ball forward. This allowed number 8 Luke Beattie the opportunity to drive over to again give Colchester the lead. Almost immediately, Thurrock responded and used their forwards to drive over, but quite significantly the conversion from under the posts was missed. With the game again swinging backwards and forwards, Beattie was on hand to score his second try after some fine interchanging between forwards and backs. Again Thurrock responded and the away side capitalised to pounce on a misdirected kick to score their fifth try, again unconverted. As the game drew to a close, Colchester came under great pressure as Thurrock utilised their backline with increasing effect. However, a turnover scrum close to full time negated the threat and a memorable game ended in a very close home victory.

Colchester U15A 26 Upminster 10
Colchester had not played Upminster for at least two years, and off the back of recent strong wins against Woodbridge and Cambridge, this was a good opportunity to test their progression against a strong South Essex unit.
The match could not have got off to a worse start for the hosts, sloppy work from the kick off resulting in an aimless backwards kick which Upminster pounced on to open the scoring. Colchester then settled down to a first half where both teams showed great commitment, strong defensive work, and skilful rugby. Building on their excellent breakdown skills, Colchester played most of the time in Upminster's half, but remained scoreless until just before half time. A planned backs move from an attacking scrum saw Tom Williams' delicate grubber gathered in by James Hoddell who crossed the line for the hosts' first points on the board, as Williams added the conversion to end the half 7-5 ahead.
The second half saw a more niggly match developing, with the visitors penalised several times for their ill discipline. Colchester's Zac Puckey drove from the back of an attacking scrum to power over for the hosts' second try, and then Hoddell pounced on a loose pass from Upminster and raced away from the half way line to add a third. At 19-5 with under 10 minutes to play, the match was effectively over when Upminster's flanker was shown a yellow card, but the visitors responded well and worked a good overlap to narrow the gap. But it was Colchester who had the final word, with hooker Freddie Thomas peeling off the back of a maul and sprinting for the line. Williams once again added the extras, and the final score of 26-10 was a fair reflection of the relative strengths of the two teams.

Colchester U15B 12 Bishop Stortford U15B 37
For the second week in a row Colchester B fielded a weakened team missing some key players to unavailability or A-team call-up. Some last minute readjustment and the brave co-operation from many boys who agreed to play in unfamiliar positions, meant that Colchester was able to take to the pitch with 15 players and one substitute. Further changes were made as Bishops Stortford were unable to field a full squad, but after the loan of a player from Colchester both teams were able to get underway with a 14-a-side game.
Colchester's forwards began strongly and quickly dominated set-piece and breakdown ball. However, with centres and wingers playing out of position (including a forward bravely playing on the wing), Colchester were unable to exploit their advantage and chance after chance broke down in confusion. Unable to translate territorial dominance into points, confusion spread to the defence which Bishops Stortford were quick to seize upon. Stortford turned every error to their advantage to penetrate Colchester's defence repeatedly with break-out runs against the flow of play. Poor tackling compounded Colchester's problems and the first-half finished with Colchester trailing 22-0.
Half-time allowed some positional swaps and a more determined, settled and organised Colchester took the game to Stortford with energy and grit. A ding-dong 30minutes saw a burst of unanswerable strength and pace from Abdul Quddus who brushed aside the defence for a fantastic try converted by Doughty; and hooker Sam Reeves scored his first try for Colchester after a bowling 20metre yomp that Stortford were unable to halt. Stortford struck back with more turnover ball and break-out running which a tiring Colchester seemed unable to prevent. Some tough penalty decisions and a bit of bad luck further frustrated Colchester and the half finished 15-12 to the visitors; a fair reflection of the skills showed by both sides.