Colchester’s season opener was a cracker that fizzed to the final whistle, losing by the narrowest of margins – inches in the case of the final kick of the game that edged oh-so close to the posts.

A close game was expected as North London visitors Eton Manor last season finished second in the league to Colchester’s third. Both teams play expansive rugby, forwards and backs attacking at speed with well organised defences. Yet Colchester will reflect on what could have been. Two Colchester yellow cards enabled Eton Manor to profit from their temporary player advantage to score two tries, whilst four narrowly missed penalty kicks could have given Colchester a comfortable win.

Positives for Colchester came from debutants, wing David Brennan scoring a brace of tries and confident performances from scrumhalf Matt Wadling and hooker Joe Overton. After a slow start, the Colchester forwards played their way back into the game to win ball and link with their dangerous backs.

For the first quarter the contest was well balanced, ball moved in hand and positional kicks testing each team’s defences. Referee Simon Goatcher changed the game by sin-binning Colchester lock Elliot Castle after spotting him retaliating. Eton Manor’s scrum used their man advantage for a pushover try for No. 8 Barnaby Newbury.

Retaking their restart kick, Colchester forwards pressured Eton Manor into conceding an offside penalty, David Higgins attempt whistling just the wrong side of the posts. Eton Manor then laid siege to the Colchester line until restored to fifteen, Colchester broke upfield, another penalty kick edging barely wide.

Anthony O’Riordan’s new coaching team’s halftime talk restored Colchester confidence. From a scrum on their own twenty-two, Higgins launched a long, high kick that fell inside the visitor’s half, centre Ben Murphy capturing the ball to offload to David Brennan for his first Colchester try wide right. Higgins added the difficult touchline conversion to give Colchester the lead 7-5.

Eton Manor close to the Colchester line with a series of phases, energetic scrumhalf Reece Reed’s try attempt held up on the line by Colchester hooker Joe Overrton. The latter’s elation was short lived as a clumsy tackle was adjudged dangerous earning him a yellow card. Reed’s adventure saw him run quick tap penalties, setting up fullback Jack Knowles for a try converted by Callum McKie to restore Eton Manor’s lead 7:12.

Colchester responded immediately, retrieving Higgins’s measured restart kick to feed a series of Colchester forward surges. Higgins accurate punt was seized by left wing James Crozier who closed to the line, recycled ball spun right for David Brennan’s second try. Higgins again added the right touchline conversion for Colchester’s 14:12 lead.

Continued pressure won another penalty which Higgins unluckily edged wide before Eton Manor pressure won a penalty McKie converted for the lead 14:15.

With time running out a Colchester try scoring overlap was foiled by a deliberate Eton Manor knock on, Higgins’ penalty from the left ghosting just the wrong side of the upright as the game ended.

Match Report: Gary Griffiths