As statement wins go, Colchester’s 40-12, six-try victory over Westcombe Park was up there among the most impressive in the club’s recent history.

Newly promoted back to National League rugby, Colchester never looked in trouble against their visitors from Kent, dominating from start to finish to such an extent that head coach Mike Haywood felt they could have scored more.

“Credit to the players,” said Haywood. “We said we’d come out and play our game; we’ve done that and to get five points in our first home match is very pleasing.”

On a fine but breezy day, Colchester burst out of the blocks with real energy, only a couple of handling errors and stout Combe defence denying the hosts an opening score.

But on 16 minutes, a penalty for not releasing, kicked to the corner, saw Colchester maul over, Fin McCartney getting the final touch. The try went unconverted, but Colchester soon extended their lead.

A terrific move and quick hands resulted in full back Max Clark crossing in the corner, and this time Benjy Mills converted to make it 12-0.

A head knock for Haydn Sykes saw the lock replaced by Danny Whiteman, then after Ted Reid’s yellow card for a high tackle, the visitors got on the board, Colchester running out of defenders as centre Ale Minns crossed for a converted try.

Colchester finished the half the stronger, a penalty try after Combe collapsed a try line-bound maul giving Colchester a 19-7 lead at the break, with the visitors reduced to 14 men at the restart.

With scrum and line-out working well, the hosts could have been further ahead early in the second half when Findlay Gilmour’s pass found Ethan Cole, only a good tackle forcing the wing into touch.

Cole then narrowly missed collecting a kick-pass from Mills which could have led to a further score, but the live-wire wing soon had his reward. Mills fed him the ball 20 metres out for the bonus point try, again converted by the flyhalf.

A rare drop in Colchester intensity saw the visitors score a second try in the corner, but with Haywood ringing the changes – Will Harrison and Lewis Jeffery on for Leroy O’Neil and Francois Rossouw - The Blacks finished strongly.

Mills went close with a couple of long-range penalty shots, then Reid galloped in from 30 metres for try number five.

With Joe Collier on for his debut in place of Jack Daly and Jonah Varela replacing Clark, Varela looped over for a try with just his second touch.

The final pass was given by Tom Williams, whose impressive afternoon was cut short by a knee injury.

It was pretty much the only dampener on an exceptional afternoon for Colchester, who sit proudly in ninth place in Nat 2 East after two rounds.

Haywood is excited for what’s to come.
“The boys are just hungry to play, and to develop every single week and to go against the best teams. We know if we put our game on the pitch it works against most teams.”

Findlay Gilmour was named sponsors’ player of the match, while the coaches’ award went to Ted Reid.

Next up for Colchester is a visit to one of the game’s most famous venues, Old Deer Park in Richmond, to play London Welsh (Saturday, 3pm).