Colchester ended their home season with a deserved win in this thriller where the result hung in the balance up to the final whistle. Visitors Chichester needed a win in their battle to avoid relegation but found a determined Colchester team playing for pride to ease the sadness of relegation from National League 3.

A proud amateur club, Colchester faced semi-professional teams in the fifth tier of English rugby who buy in speedy backs and forwards taller and heavier than the local lads who come up through the Colchester mini and youth teams. Yet Colchester can rue near misses that earned 7 losing bonus points in games that could easily have been wins.

Colchester’s lighter pack distinguished themselves in scrums and loose play. Danny Whiteman’s tackling and bulldozer charges and try earned him the man of the match award. Flanker Alex Rayment impressed with speed and strength in frequent breaks, Joe Flexman bravely putting his body on the line until injury forced withdrawal. Eli Castle used all his experience and strength, Charlie Thorogood foraging and winning turnovers, Ethan Hughes, Joe McMillan, Alfie Walsh and Jerone Awesu carrying well. Srumhalf Matt Wadling linked forwards and backs, David Higgins’ kicks pinning Chichester in defence whilst skipper Brett Cutbush launched counterattacks. Centre Te Albert bravely played on despite injury whilst George Liversidge crowned his debut at centre with a try. Julian Chamberlain Carter scored a try, fellow wing James Crozier contributing fifteen points in all – and hit the crossbar!

The game was played in spring sunshine and Colchester caught Chichester sunbathing as Chamberlain-Carter raced in Colchester’s first try within 2 minutes of kick-off. Skipper Brett Cutbush almost broke through and was held down after the tackle, Crozier turning the penalty into 3 points.

Just as Colchester threatened Chichester’s Jack Maslen intercepted and raced in a try from halfway, Henry Anscombe adding the conversion.

Colchester bounced back, forwards making hard yards with a series of pick and go charges before Whiteman jinked past defenders to score a fine virtuoso try under the posts, Crozier converting.

Chichester upped their game, passing out of tackles to setup wing Harry Seaman for a try, Anscombe converting. Seaman finished another team passing move to pat the ball down in the corner for Chichester’s 15:19 halftime lead.

The game restarted with an outbreak of yellow cards; Chichester’s Ross Miller for a high tackle, Colchester lock Ethan Hughes for lineout interference and hooker Charlie Thorogood for offside. Chichester used their player advantage for a pushover try for No.8 Chris Johnson.

Colchester began a spirited fightback. Chichester conceded a penalty stopping Te Albert’s strong midfield break, Crozier converting. Rayment exploded from the back of a lineout and set Liversidge to race in a try, Crozier’s kick restoring Colchester’s lead before adding his own try by leaping to seize Higgins deft kick to the corner.

Chichester then threw everything they had left at Colchester, crossing the line but the ball was ruled held up by well positioned referee Michael Woods. A Chichester forward handled the ball in the ensuing scrum to concede the penalty that Colchester kicked off the field to end the game.

Gary Griffiths, Colchester RFC