Fullerians RFC 17 | 55 Colchester 1st XV

Colchester travelled to Fullerians in Watford with a similar team to the previous Saturday. Jack White was on the bench for his debut and, in the absence of Will Brown, James Crozier moved to full back.

In a barnstorming game the Blacks ran in eight tries to Fullerian’s three winning a bonus point victory. Man-of-the Match Crozier notched up no less than twenty one points, a fine individual display.

Fullerians kicked off in dry conditions but wet underfoot. Within seconds the visitor’s fly half Brett Cutbush ran the length of the pitch to score a converted try getting Colchester off to a great start. Five minutes later the Blacks won a scrum ball and scrum half Matt Wadling threw a long pass out to Crozier whose kick and chase lead to a fine try. He soon added another three when he converted a penalty for a high tackle he received.

Simon Gray replaced Rhys Hartley at hooker and the play continued. Soon the ball was moved swiftly out to Crozier but, unfortunately, he was again high tackled, this time by the home No 8 who was red carded by the referee leaving Fullerians with fourteen men for the rest of the game.
Undaunted Crozier soon scored and converted a try just before half time putting the Blacks 22-0 ahead. After the interval hooker Gray linked well with jumper Danny Whiteman in a lineout and the ball was moved quickly to outside centre George Liversidge who advanced into opposition territory. Following a ruck Gray burst forward and scored an unconverted try.

Flanker Rob Pickard soon made an impact when he replaced Joe Beckett. He gathered a lineout ball and was driven over the line for lock Eli Castle to claim a converted try.

Then came the try of the match. After the restart, Colchester won a scrum and No 8 Ollie Pickett weaved through the defence with players bouncing off him as he made his way to score a great try to the right of the posts. Crozier converted and the lead was now 41-0.

Fullerians finally got on the scoreboard when their outside centre broke through and touched down but the conversion was missed. Gray switched with Hartley again to continue the good scrum and lineout work. Debutant Jack White was doing well at fly half with accurate passing and kicking. Indeed one of his passes found flanker Whiteman who crashed over for the first of his two tries.

As the match entered the final quarter Fullerian’s right wing scored twice to bring the scores closer at 48-17 but Colchester rallied and in the final minutes of the game, following a successful scrum, Cutbush flicked the ball to Whiteman who sped over for the final score in this excellent away victory.

Steve Whiteman