There are two games at home this weekend, our A XV take on Brightlingsea and the Cavaliers will host Bury's 4th XV. Away from Mill Road both the Ravens and 1st XV take to the road, visiting London Irish Wanderers and Fullerians respectively and the Roundheads visit Mistley RFC.

Reflecting on the Letchworth game it was great to see our forwards carrying the ball in the right areas and creating mismatches. Examining the tries in detail, our forwards played a significant role in every try, for example, Dan Whiteman and Ollie Pickett combining to score the first, Pickett again feeding Crozier for try number two, a solid scrum provided the base for Matt Wadling to run in the third try and a driving line out started and finished by Rhys Hartley secured the fourth (and bonus point) try. These examples of forwards and back working in combination are a real step in the right direction for the team and we need to sustain this progress against Fullerians this weekend.

Fullerians had a good victory last week at Ruislip (37-44) and some of their pre-match "tweets" (now deleted!) indicate that they are already planning how to celebrate a win over us on Saturday evening. We are determined to spoil their party so expect some fireworks! Fullerians are named after Elizabeth Fuller - who founded a free school for girls and boys in Watford in 1704. In 1894 an old boys association, known as "Old Fullerians" and one of the societies that emerged from the old boys association was Fullerians RFC.

In terms of selection there are just a few enforced changes. The forwards remain unchanged from the nine-try victory over Letchworth. Simon Gray and Rob Pickard will again provide utility cover from the bench. Joe Colcomb will again partner Eli Castle in the second row, a pairing that did an excellent job around the pitch against Letchworth and made their collective presence felt! Having Eli Castle back in the 1st XV mix has given everyone a lift. In training and in games Eli brings a great deal of power and stability to the tight five; his short, driving carries 'around the corner' enable our loose forwards and midfield to attack the space he creates. There is one change to the starting backs, with Will Brown unavailable James Crozier switches to full-back and David Brennan will start of the right wing. We will miss Will, his pace and ability to create opportunities from literally nothing will always be missed. It's easy to overlook, but Will's defensive contribution is just as valuable. He hasn't missed a tackle this season and every tackle he makes is precise and executed more or less perfectly. That said, James Crozier has all the skills required to slot into full back and Dave Brennan is a great finisher and brings power and speed to the backline. Our backs replacement this week is Jack White. Jack joined Colchester over the summer and he has been putting in excellent performances at fly half for the Ravens for the last month or so. Jack has all the necessary attributes to fit perfectly into our backline and his play is still progressing - we wish him every success with the 1st XV this weekend.

Anyone who fancies a trip to Coningesby Drive (home of Fullerians RFC) please remember that kick off is 2.30pm. Most clubs will now be kick off earlier due to fading light, but all Colchester 1st XV will remain a 3.00pm kick off (unless otherwise specified on the website or Raven Mad) because we have the luxury of our own floodlit pitch.

The Ravens have an early start (coaches leaves at 10.00am!) and make the trip to London Irish Amateurs with a really strong side. Rory Miller returns to the side after injury and we are also really pleased to see Charlie Thorogood back after rehabilitation from a shoulder injury. The Ravens have made big strides in the last few weeks and have moved into 10th place in Zoo Division Two. November is a quiet month for the Ravens and their next scheduled game is set for Saturday 25th November against the division leaders Hertford RFC.

Our Colts are at home this weekend, they are building up to their rapidly approach National Cup campaign with a home friendly vs. Bury St Edmunds (kick off 12 noon). The RFU Competition Calendar means that a number of our Colts are still unavailable due to their school rugby commitments, but we have a core of committed lads who are making great progress and giving their all to the cause.