Chichester RFC 15 Colchester RFC 13

Colchester travelled to West Sussex to play Chichester who, like them, had lost their two opening games this season and a close game ended with the hosts claiming a win but the Blacks having some consolation in getting their first point in this tough league.
Shortage of props meant that Dave Langley was drafted in from the Ravens and he performed well, particularly in the scrums whilst his opposite number, Ken Dowding, an ex-Colchester player, used his experience to marshal the home pack.

During the match, Colchester received no less than three yellow cards putting them at a great disadvantage for a total of 30 minutes.
Tom Miller kicked off for the visitors and the returning kick was well fielded by left wing James Crozier, the start of a fine performance by him and his opposite wing Damien Brambley. Chichester’s left wing also had a good game and, after a successful Blue lineout, the ball was moved along the backs for him to score an unconverted try in the corner taking the score after just 5 minutes to 5 – 0.

Colchester came back instantly from the restart and earned a penalty which Miller converted bringing the score to 5 – 3 and here it remained for the rest of the first half. Just before the interval Colchester’s full back, Brett Cutbush, contested a high catch with the host’s right wing and was given a yellow card for hitting him late. Despite this setback Colchester nearly took the lead when a Chichester player went offside at a scrum and they were awarded a penalty but, unfortunately, Miller’s kick rebounded off the post.

Veteran Elliott Castle came on for George Liversidge as the Blues kicked off the second half. Before long Cutbush was back on the field but then over enthusiasm by fly half Matt Wadling in a tackle on his opposite number saw him yellow-carded reducing Colchester back to 14 men on the pitch.

Angered by this decision The Blacks attacked up field through centre Matt Smith and wing Crozier to the host’s 22 metre line. Scrum half Ed Parry quickly spun the ball to flanker Danny Whiteman who surprisingly kicked a successful drop kick to give Colchester a 5 – 6 lead.

Chichester came back and Bonds nearly scored on the left but was heralded into touch by Crozier.

Their No 13 Alex Marsh succeeded with one of two penalty chances putting them back in the lead at 8 -6 but not for long as, shortly after this, Brambley scored the try of the match running 40 metres to score a converted try under the posts.

Wadling returned to the fray but before long the visitors lost flanker Ollie Pickett to the sin bin for not rolling away at a maul. Chichester sensed their chance to seal their lead and moved the ball side to Ben Polhill in the centre who burst through the defence to score a converted try bringing victory for the Sussex side by a close 15 -13 points.

Steve Whiteman