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Saturday preview: Key matches ahead for Colchester
Doug Boulton13 Nov 2024 - 10:57
By Edward Marriage
Colchester play the first of two crucial back-to-back matches in their search for a first win in National 2 East on Saturday when they head to Sevenoaks.
The Kent side are just two places and four points ahead of Colchester in the league table, and with a home match against Worthing – who are second bottom of the table – to follow a week later, this is a hugely important period for the club.
Colchester will head back across the Dartford bridge on Saturday buoyed by the narrow defeat at Westcombe Park last week. Colchester were leading as the clock went into the red, only for Combe to score a winning try with the last play of the match.
“We’ve had one week together, looking at some new stuff and the way we want to play,” said interim head coach Mike Haywood after Saturday’s match.
“The guys are working really hard. I’m really looking forward to next week, and then the home game against Worthing. These will be the real test for us.”
Sevenoaks have just one win from their opening nine matches – at home to Oxford Harlequins – and lost 50-26 at Dorking last week. But they have picked up six bonus points, the same number as Colchester.
The similarities don’t end there. Like Colchester, Sevenoaks celebrate their centenary next year, having moved to their current ground at Knole Paddock shortly after their formation. Notable former players include current England forward Ben Earl and ex-player turned pundit David Flatman.
Supporters should note that the kick-off has been brought forward to 2pm, so leave yourselves plenty of time to make the journey across the Thames.
The Ravens will be aiming to build on their big win against Ely last week as they travel to Saffron Walden in Counties 1 Eastern Counties (kick-off 3pm). Saffron Walden are sixth in the league, two places about the 2s, having won four matches to the Ravens’ three.
Colchester 3s are home to Braintree 2s (2pm). The 4s have a week off, but The Ruins play a friendly at Woodbridge Veterans (1.30) and the Kings are in home action against Brighton Sea Serpents (2pm).
The Kent side are just two places and four points ahead of Colchester in the league table, and with a home match against Worthing – who are second bottom of the table – to follow a week later, this is a hugely important period for the club.
Colchester will head back across the Dartford bridge on Saturday buoyed by the narrow defeat at Westcombe Park last week. Colchester were leading as the clock went into the red, only for Combe to score a winning try with the last play of the match.
“We’ve had one week together, looking at some new stuff and the way we want to play,” said interim head coach Mike Haywood after Saturday’s match.
“The guys are working really hard. I’m really looking forward to next week, and then the home game against Worthing. These will be the real test for us.”
Sevenoaks have just one win from their opening nine matches – at home to Oxford Harlequins – and lost 50-26 at Dorking last week. But they have picked up six bonus points, the same number as Colchester.
The similarities don’t end there. Like Colchester, Sevenoaks celebrate their centenary next year, having moved to their current ground at Knole Paddock shortly after their formation. Notable former players include current England forward Ben Earl and ex-player turned pundit David Flatman.
Supporters should note that the kick-off has been brought forward to 2pm, so leave yourselves plenty of time to make the journey across the Thames.
The Ravens will be aiming to build on their big win against Ely last week as they travel to Saffron Walden in Counties 1 Eastern Counties (kick-off 3pm). Saffron Walden are sixth in the league, two places about the 2s, having won four matches to the Ravens’ three.
Colchester 3s are home to Braintree 2s (2pm). The 4s have a week off, but The Ruins play a friendly at Woodbridge Veterans (1.30) and the Kings are in home action against Brighton Sea Serpents (2pm).
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