For the second week running Bracknell’s pitch in Hertfordshire was waterlogged so this game took place at nearby Maidenhead RFC on their 4G artificial pitch in mainly dry but very windy conditions.

Colchester played with the wind in the first half and accumulated 24 unanswered points by half time due to the hard work of their forwards supplying plenty of ball to their skilful backs. Despite a spirited comeback by Bracknell in the second half when they earned themselves a bonus point by scoring 4 tries, Colchester matched this tally and ran out convincing winners at the end.

Colchester kicked off and were soon pressing towards Bracknell’s line. Following a catch and drive their forwards rumbled over for flanker Ben Murphy to claim the first try. Indeed moments later he was unlucky not to claim a second. Bracknell’s No 4 proved to be a good all-rounder often putting in long kicks and gaining ground for the home side. Colchester’s fullback Jaid Wiltshire also caught the eye with his good covering.

Despite having a new front row the Blacks more than matched Bracknell in the scrums and lineouts with prop Jake Harvey working tirelessly in his debut for the first team as did Jay Hatcher, back from injury. Both props were involved in an attack that ended with centre Damien Brambley scoring a converted try under the posts. Aided by the massive boot of fly half David Higgins the Blacks were soon back up the home side’s end for No 8 Danny Whiteman to dive over and score. Despite being 19 points in the lead, Colchester didn’t ease up and before long centre Callum Irvine broke through the defence and passed to wing Owen Herbert to score a fine try in the corner bringing the half time score to 0-24.

Colchester started the second half well, effectively marshalled by scrum half Brett Cutbush. Soon hooker Charlie Thorogood made ground through the opposing forwards, fed Higgins, who burst forward and offloaded to Herbert for his second try. Before long Brambley claimed his second try after the Blacks stole a lineout ball. The coaches made changes and all the substitutes acquitted themselves well. At this point Bracknell raised their game and in quick succession scored four times through their prop, hooker and fullback (2).

In reply Brambley completed his hat trick by dashing after a chipped ball and grounding it in the corner. In the dying moments of the game with the opposition visibly tiring he claimed a fourth try after a jinking run to cap a fine individual performance. The game then ended with the score at 24-46 much to the delight of the Essex visitors.