Southend Saxons 21 | 24 Colchester 1st XV

Colchester snatched victory at Southend in an exciting Essex derby match played with great intensity in ideal weather conditions. The scores were level at half time but the Saxons then pulled ahead by eight points only to be overtaken at the death by the Blacks winning this close encounter with the last kick of the game.

Led by returning skipper Danny Whiteman this team had made a few changes from the previous week. Prop James Mitchell and hooker Dan Brennan returned to the front row with Callum Jeffrey and newcomer Jamie Miller joining the pack from the bench in the second half. Also, there was a new partnership in the centre of the experienced Nick Flexman and youthful Jamie Light.

Colchester kicked off and before long Whiteman was high tackled and wing James Crozier converted the awarded penalty. For a further 20 minutes, the game ebbed and flowed before the Saxons drove forward, moved the ball first left then right before their No 8 Matt Wagstaff raced through for the first try. Fly-half Ben Lloyd added the extras putting the hosts in the lead 7-3.

The packs went on to have an even share of the spoils in the set pieces whilst both sets of backs defended well and attacked aggressively. Later, following a scrum on the centre spot, Colchester burst down the right-wing and the ball moved from full-back Harvey Skinner to Whiteman who made ground before returning it for Skinner to dive over for a converted try putting the visitors back in the lead 7-10.

The Saxons had the last word before the break when a Lloyd penalty levelled the score 10-10. Within 5 minutes of the restart, Lloyd had added a further two penalties prompting the Blacks' coaches to make a change and bring on Miller for Skovly in the back row. Shortly after this, Colchester stole a lineout and lock Graeme Hay and flanker Oly Pickett charged forward to gain a penalty on the edge of the red zone. Crozier converted moving the Blacks close at 16-13.

Not to be outdone Southend came back and quick running by their winger Tom Richards found a gap in the defence and his supporting backs grabbed a try in the corner. Soon fly-half David Higgins rifled a kicked ball into touch in the corner at the other end. Brennan and Pickett linked well at the ensuing lineout and the whole pack drove over for Mitchell to claim the visitors' second try.

Colchester raised their game and another successful Crozier kick levelled the score at 21 all. Rather than giving away penalties as they had in the first half Colchester were now being given them due to Saxon infringements. As the clock ran down they gained a penalty in the middle of the home half. Coolly, Crozier slotted the ball between the uprights to end the game giving Colchester a great victory and delighting their supporters.

Steve Whiteman