Colchester overwhelmed visitors Luton during this wet and windy game running in 18 tries, 11 of which were converted. This magnificent result keeps the Blacks in contention at second place in the league. In the process, they broke a couple of records. Firstly one of their backs scored six tries which is believed to be a club record and secondly by scoring 112 unanswered points this was the best result by any team in the league so far this season.

All this success came about despite many changes in the squad from the team that had won at North Walsham the previous week due to injuries and unavailability. Back rower Dan Whiteman took over as captain in the absence of injured lock Liam Pickett, Ollie White and Toby Hill came up from the second team to make up the second row and David Higgins and Harry Barton returned to the fly-half and left wing positions respectively.

All the backs played well with centre Ben Murphy, Francois Rossouw and Tom Dufficy sharing the roles and the back three of Dave Brennan, Damien Brambley and Barton using their pace to outstrip the Luton defence. Towards the end of the game, Jack White came off the bench to continue the good work of No 10 Higgins.

Luton kicked off starting a one-sided game with Colchester scoring almost every few minutes. They notched up 50 points through 8 tries in the first half and then topped that by getting 62 points after the interval with 10 more tries. Higgins converted 10 of these tries which was no mean feat as there was a strong crosswind with White converting his own try at the end of the game.

The Black pack was again dominant in the scrums often pushing Luton back several metres. The forwards also got their fair share of lineout ball due to accurate throwing by hooker Charlie Thorogood and fine jumping by White, Hill and Whiteman. Consequently, the backs were provided with plenty of quality ball which they used to the best of their ability showing good pace when it was needed. They moved the ball quickly from player to player creating gaps in the Luton defence that they exploited ruthlessly.

Scrum-half Matt Wadling was a very effective link between the forwards and the backs though not afraid to have a go himself when necessary. On the debit side ( if there was one) Colchester gave away more penalties than Luton and will try to avoid this in future. Also at one point flanker Ollie Pickett, who was having a fine game, crossed the Luton try line but was deemed by the referee not to have put downward pressure on the ball and a try was not awarded. It is vital that players drop on the ball in this situation.

Colchester's next two fixtures are away against Eton Manor who lie fourth in the league and then on the 27th October against top-of-the-table Rochford at Mill Road. A large crowd is expected for that crucial fixture.

Steve Whiteman