The Ravens opened their home fixtures of the New Year with a game against Cottenham Renegades 1st XV. The away game earlier in the season had ended in a closely fought draw..

Cottenham Renegades arrived at Cuckoo Lane with what turned out to be a weakened side, with no reserves available. In contrast, the Ravens had excellent availability, putting out perhaps their strongest squad of the season.

The match started with the Ravens running the kick off back, with Rory Miller, playing his first ever game at number eight, breaking through some weak tackles before passing to Ravens debutant lock Giles Wilson, who scored an unconverted try with his fist touch in a Colchester jersey.

Cottenham then played what turned out to be their best period of the game, eventually scoring an unconverted try, after numerous penalties were awarded against the Ravens by the referee.

The Ravens struck back immediately, with Francois Roussow and Rory Miller combining to release Sam Wilkinson to score the first of a brace of tries, also unconverted. The blustery conditions made kicking both off the floor and out of the hand difficult. Joe Flexman then scored to increase the lead to 15 points to 5 and the Ravens were running riot. Soon after, scrum half Matt Parker got in on the act, intercepting from a Cottenham lineout to score a converted try. Flexman then converted his second try followed soon after by the other lock, Harry Pemberton breaking through some weak tackling to score.

The half ended with an ankle injury to the Cottenham winger, reducing their number to 14.

Half time score: Ravens 39 Cottenham 5

With what light there was fading fast and heavy cloud cover, the lights were switched on for the second half – a rare treat indeed for the reserve squad. A pity that the scoreboard was not similarly utilised.

Soon after the break, Matt Parker scored his second try, converted and created by Joe Flexman. Sam Wilkinson then scored two quick tries to bring up mhis hat trick, followed by Matt Parker also scoring his third try after a strong midfield break by Roussow, converted by of all people prop Kieran James

Giles Wilson then got his second and could have easily had a third. The Ravens completed their try scoring with Matt Parker scoring his fourth try after an outrageous dummy, that bamboozled more Ravens (in particular the two front row forwards lining up to score) than Cottenham players. It earned Matt a special award in the bar after the match.

With great credit, Cottenham, now down to 13 players after another injury fought back to score the final try of the game. In spite of the ugly looking score, Cottenham never gave up and competed valiantly until the final whistle.

Final Score: Ravens 72 – Cottenham Renegades 10

Try Scorers:
Giles Wilson – 2
Sam Wilkinson – 3
Matt Parker – 4
Joe Flexman – 2
Harry Pemberton – 1

Conversions:
Joe Flexman – 3
Kieran James - 1

Man of the Match: Giles Wilson – TOTD: Matt Parker