The Blacks blew away visitors Medway in the first 15 minutes of this match notching up 26 points in just 15 minutes before proceedings were interrupted by a thunderstorm when the referee called for the pitch to be abandoned due to the risk of a lightning strike on the players and officials.

The 40 minute delay made it “tricky to reset this initial impetus” Head Coach, Mike Haywood admitted after the match “after a great start”. He added “Credit to Medway for sticking at it and eventually scoring 4 tries to earn a bonus point.”

Colchester fielded a similar team to the previous week at Shelford but, due to a concussion injury at the end of the previous game, skipper Cam Kerr rested and was replaced by fellow flanker and former captain Danny Whiteman. Joining him in the back row was new recruit Ted Reid. Jacob Bodkin returned to his familiar role at outside centre with the previous occupant Chris Dudman moving to fullback.

During the match Haywood used all his 3 substitutes Alex Gerard, Jake Barry from Cambridge and Joe Pattinson from Henley and all performed exceptionally well.

Colchester kicked off and within a minute centre Will Blakemore crossed the whitewash. He was followed in quick succession by No 8 Sean Bundy and then Dudman who converted 2 of these tries to bring the score to 19-0 after only 15 minutes.

Medway fought back after this setback but it seemed that nothing could stop the Black attack and soon Bundy was through the defence to score his second try under the posts. 26-0 much to the delight of the home supporters.

This was when the heavens opened and the lightning storm cleared the pitch for 40 minutes with the crowd sheltering either inside the clubhouse or under the balcony as the rain pelted down.

After the break the visitors raised their game with scrums and lineouts being more evenly contested and their backs improving their defence, although their attack seemed to find it hard to gain territory when the ball was in their hands. Often Colchester would turn over their possession in the rucks and the mauls and, sometimes after their lineouts. One such incident after 20 minutes of nip and tuck got the turnover back to winger Louis Martin who sped through the defence for a fine unconverted try.

Just before half time Colchester did a catch and drive move after winning a 5 metre lineout for Fin McCartney the hooker to touch down bringing the interval score to 38-0.

Not long into the second half Blakemore burst through the Medway defence to claim his second converted try.

Medway’s hefty left wing at last got reward for his efforts when he broke through to score under the posts. Player/coach Ben Kelland soon replied at the other end but, Medway seemed invigorated by getting on the scoreboard and went on to score 3 more converted tries in the remaining match time with Gerard getting the Blacks last score making it 59-28 at full time.

The Coaches’ Man of the Match was Danny Whiteman and sponsors, Maquire Roofing, chose Sean Bundy.

Next Saturday Colchester have an Essex derby match away at Westcliff and would welcome plenty of support.