Colchester were up against a strong Tonbridge side 8 places above them in the league and the difference showed in the first half with the visitors amassing 22 unanswered points. However a second half recovery denied the visitors a bonus point 4th try with Colchester getting some consolation from scoring more than their opponents.

The Blacks matched their opponents in the set pieces often stealing ball but struggled to meet the same standards in the open play with the visitors’ backs linking well, backed up by a good kicking display by their fullback Ben Cooper. Strength & conditioning coach Jim Elliott’s work paid off in the second half when, rather than let the game run away from them, Colchester competed well for the whole 80 minutes grabbing an excellent try in the process.

Colchester had a terrible start when they failed to catch the kick-off and Tonbridge’s centre, Tom Nicoll, scooted over for a converted try in the first minute. Within ten minutes he added a second after the visitors won a lineout and moved the ball quickly along their backs to Tom. Because of the strong cross wind there were many lineouts and hooker Alfie Walsh linked well with the Pickett brothers to secure the Black’s ball. Despite the best efforts of half backs Brett Cutbush and David Higgins to get their backs going forward, well-organised defence often stopped any advance by the back five.

Indeed, after 20 minutes of the opponents battling for position, Colchester’s centre Damien Brambley’s speculative kick was charged down leading to a scrum on halfway which the visitors won. The ball was moved rapidly to the right for wing Lee Campion to score, putting Tonbridge 19 points in the lead. Just before the interval Cooper added a penalty to this score.

Being 22 points down at half time would have discouraged most teams but from the restart Colchester played with more shape and determination aided by the fresh legs of replacements Danny Whiteman, Ed Parry and Jerone Awesu, who joined the fray in that order. Following a handling mistake by Tonbridge, right wing Owen Herbert stole a loose ball and showed great pace to run from his half right into Tonbridge territory before passing to Jaid Wiltshire who scored a great try, converted by James Crozier putting Colchester on the scoreboard.

Tonbridge came back at Colchester looking for the bonus try but good defence kept them out despite several forays towards the Black’s line. All they had to show for this onslaught was a second Cooper penalty. It was then Colchester’s turn to attack and only tenacious defending by the Kent side kept them out. When referee Sam Brown blew for full time Colchester had to be content with the fact that they had raised their game after a poor start and eventually competed well with a top-of-the-table team.