London Irish 38 Colchester 10

Top-of-the-table London Irish proved to be too tough an opposition for Colchester and, despite stout resistance by the visitors, claimed a 5 try to 1 victory on their near perfect pitch in mild but windy conditions.

Within ten minutes of the start they scored two tries through left wing George Owen and fullback Ollie Turner, who managed to convert both despite the cross wind. At this early stage the Green forwards were dominating the set pieces and their backs were moving the ball between them swiftly and efficiently. However the Blacks rallied after these setbacks and pressed forwards with centres Matt Smith & Callum Irvine making inroads into the Green defence. Indeed Irvine managed to break clear at one stage and run 40 metres to the home try line only for the ball to be held up as he tried to ground it. Colchester got their reward moments later when the referee awarded them a penalty 30 metres out which the reliable James Crozier converted to put them on the scoreboard 14-3.

The 2 sides battled it out for the next 10 minutes but eventually the Irish seized the initiative. After winning their lineout their back row skipper Scott Moore moved the ball to right wing Matt Killeen who scored in the corner. From the restart the Irish attacked again but robust centre Seb Robwell was robbed of the ball and the Blacks counter-attacked, moving it through several hands until finally wing Owen Herbert dived over in the corner for a fine try. Crozier converted and the visitors turned round at the interval only 9 points behind.

It was clear that whichever team scored first in the second half would greatly affect the outcome of this match and, unfortunately for Colchester, it was the home side. After only a few minutes the Greens earned a penalty which was kicked to the corner and, after winning their lineout, the Greens moved the ball to Owen who claimed his second try. Suddenly the Irish were out in front 24-10. The Blacks’ coaches rang the changes with Rob Pickard on for Elliot Castle & Alex Mitchell replacing Sam Trott in the front row. This helped Colchester raise their game with back rowers James McCrae & Ollie Pickett often crossing the gain line. Fullback Damien Brambley marshalled the backs & often attempted to breach the Green defence but to no avail.

Deservedly the Blacks got to within a few metres of the Irish line but a dubious refereeing decision gave the ball to the Irish who quickly counter-attacked through their forwards culminating in a converted try at the other end of the pitch. With the score now at 31-10 the heart seemed to go out of the Blacks and before long the Greens were back up the same end for the final try of the game by their nippy scrum half Tom Barker leaving the visitors disappointed to be in arrears by 38 point to 10 at the final whistle.