A much improved second half performance ensured that the Colchester 1st XV maintained their 100% record this season. Old Priorians were no pushovers, but such was the dominance of our defence, Priors never really threatened our red zone. It was essential that we register a win with a bonus point, but the real victory was to record another lock out on a side that had collected two wins after the first two games of the season. The only attack worthy of note came midway through the second half when the Priors lock forward slipped through the defensive wall and was brought down a few yards into our twenty-two. The table shows that at the moment we have the meanest defence in the division, conceding just 22 points in four games and 17 of those in one game.

The game will also be remembered for the debut of Brock Price in the back row. Brock replaced the unavailable Dan Whiteman and made an immediate impact with a string of crunching tackles and two crucial interventions that led to two tries. Brock's debut performance was so impressive that he was the unanimous choice to receive the @Twenty5 and Nethergate Wines Man of the Match award from the 1st XV Management. Brock slotted into the back row as though he had been there forever. Despite, by his own admission, lacking match fitness, Brock immediately made his presence felt by administering some huge hits on Priorians who attempted to carry the ball towards the Colchester line. As the game progressed these hits certainly made an impact on the opposition. The good defence came from all over the pitch. David Brennan for example is a superb defender. His ability to step inside and defend the inside channels could easily be overlooked, but the scoreline shows that locking a side out requires every single player to focus and commit to the cause. The attitude in the side at the moment is that a score against us is simply unacceptable.

The game started with a period of forward dominance, but our dominance did not really translate into points. It was no coincidence that the two first half tries originated from the base of the scrum and Eli Castle. I have said this before, but Eli Castle is playing the best rugby of his life this season and it's obvious to see that he is loving every moment of it! Throughout the first half the Priors struggled to maintain possession and after no more than three (or occasionally four) phases, they resorted to taking less than calculated risks and invariably kicked the ball and as a consequence, lost the ball. Our boys showed patience, maintained the defensive wall and waited for the opposition to overplay their hand - a little like a game of poker!

Once again, our set pieces were pretty much faultless. Once again our scrum was utterly dominant. Despite dominating every single confrontation, our boys were penalised on a couple of occasions by the referee. The decisions were accepted by our forwards, but when we were encamped near the Priors try line, their scrum crumbled every single time and back-tracked at a rate of knots. I cannot emphasise sufficiently the psychological impact of a dominant scrummage, It demoralises the opposition and inspires your team and supporters. Although every single one of our forwards must take credit for this, Charlie Thorogood, Alex Mitchell and James Mitchell can feel especially proud of their contributions. Charlie had a superb game and under normal circumstances would have been very much in the 'Man of the match' discussion. Charlie's line out delivery was faultless, his tackling was precise and decisive and he was aggressive at the breakdown. Once again the Mitchell brothers gave their opposition a torrid time. It's no coincidence that in every game we have played this season, the opposition prop forwards have retired to the bench and stayed there - such is the extent of their power and dominance. Alex Mitchell has returned to the 1st XV this season and seems absolutely determined to make the tight head spot his own. Last season Alex showed signs of his progression in the Ravens - particularly in the scrum. However this season he has improved his work rate, handling skills and all-round contribution in the loose. It takes one hell of a man to progress in this manner and even more impressive is that he has ditched the 'Vegan Lifestyle' for a carnivore diet! Despite this lifestyle change, he will forever be known to us as 'Salad'...

It was fabulous to see the re-debuts of Harry Barton and Ben Murphy. Starting at inside centre, Ben showed his strength and defensive capabilities several times. Harry came off the bench and even managed to grab a fabulous try after a well-worked move that he started from full-back, and finished after an exchanges of passes with James Crozier and Dave Brennan. The tries came from Eli Castle (2), Damien Brambley, Matt Wadling, Harry Barton and Dave Brennan; the remaining points came from the boot of James Crozier. The result, the try bonus points and 41 points ensures that we remain at the top of London North 1, but Rochford Hundred and our opponents next week, North Walsham, both maintained their 100% record. The table is tight, but the scene is now set for our visit to the Scottow next weekend. North Walsham has always been a difficult place to go to get a result. It's a good club with a well-organised set-up. It appears that they have invested in a number of overseas players and at home they will almost certainly be at full strength, but all that is immaterial, we go there to win.

Elsewhere in the division, Rochford put 50 points on second from bottom Fullerians and North Walsham won on the road at Ruislip, but not convincingly; recording a 17-26 win and judging by the score, just about squeezing out a try bonus point. Southend recorded their first win of the season, a 29-7 home win over Amersham and Chiltern. Even after four games, there is definite split in the league and there is a clear difference between the top five sides and the rest of the division. It will go down to the wire and we will approach the next few games brimming with confidence, but without complacency.

The A XV moved ahead of local rivals Hadleigh to lead Eastern Counties Division 1 thanks to a superior points difference. This was achieved thanks to a 113 - 0 (17 tries) win over Harwich and Dovercourt 2's.

On Sunday our Colts took on Stowmarket in a friendly game. Unfortunately, Stowmarket could not bring a complete team so our boys generously stepped up and helped the opposition in order to ensure that the game could go ahead- this shows that the spirit of the game is alive and well at Colchester. Our Colts dealt well with the conditions and recorded a pretty convincing win. Jonah Varela kicked well and Fin Nuttall led the side well from the front row, but the boys played the game with a great spirit and coaches Dean Tulley, Sean O'Sullivan and Steve Wright are already looking ahead to next week and the visit of Cambridge Colts to Mill Road; that will definitely be a stern test and our Colts will need to be on top of their game.