Colchester 74-0 Romford & Gidea Park

Colchester’s dozen dazzling tries routed an out of sorts Romford team to secure another bonus point victory to remain a close second in the league. This was Colchester’s sixth successive bonus point win and the third time in seven games more than sixty points has been scored.

Squad rotation saw several changes to the Colchester team which has seen 28 first XV players this season, coaches Anthony O’Riordan, Lee Soper and Nic Lloyd contributing to the teams’ phenomenal start to the season.

Visitors Romford shared the honours in this fixture in recent seasons but have suffered an indifferent start to the current season and languish at the wrong end of the league. To their credit the Romford players battled to the end, skipper Steve Barfoot working hard at No. 8 and linking with the lively Tom Cameron at scrumhalf. However they found themselves against a quicker, fitter and better organised Colchester team who dominated all aspects of play.

Demonstrating their intent from the off, Colchester took early command of the scrum to set up centre James Green on an angled run that cut through a wrong-footed Romford defence for flanker Ollie White to score the first try. Romford conceded penalties, flyhalf David Higgins long kick to touch earning Colchester a lineout five metres out from which a lineout catch and drive move enabled hooker Dan Brennan to celebrate his return from injury with a try. Wing Dave Brennan raced in a try from halfway after an interception by No. 8 James McRae. Romford flanker Jack Pearce was yellow carded for persistent ruck offences before Dan Brennan rounded off a break by White with his second and Colchester’s fourth bonus point try – all within an exhilarating first 20 minutes.

Romford struggled to get their game going, the pressing Colchester defence limiting the visitors to sideways movement. Skipper Calum Irvine marshalled his defence into a ‘red wall’ as his forwards turned over Romford possession and rampaged towards their line. The Picket brothers – lock Liam and flanker Ollie – were hard working bulwarks of defence and attack, along with McRae, White, props James Mitchell, Jay Hatcher and replacements Sam Trott and Elliot Castle. Lock Graeme Hay showed his attacking prowess in dragging three tacklers over the line for Colchester’s fifth try before halftime, Higgins three conversions taking the halftime lead to 31-0.

Despite being a man down temporarily - White sin-binned for repeated offside - Colchester resumed the second half in scoring form. A pressurised clearance kick was fielded by wing Damien Brambly who linked with his dangerous back line in a passing whip that ended with flying fullback Brett Cuttbush setting wing James Crozier – on for the rested Dave Brennan – charging over for a try. Crozier added a second try in as many minutes as he chased down Calum Irvine’s kick following his midfield turnover tackle.

A brace of tries followed for Brambly who plucked Higgins’ cross field kick from the air to score. Ollie Pickett continued terrorising the Romford pack, seizing turnover ball that was spun wide for Damo to run in his second.

Skipper Calum Irvine then scored two tries. The first followed a deceiving reverse pass from Higgins that Calum took on the burst to scythe through the Romford defence and race in from halfway, Higgins adding his fifth conversion. Scrumhalf Gregor Irvine squirmed through the Romford pack to set brother Calum in for his second try to which he added a quick drop-goal conversion.

The final try epitomised the Colchester team spirit. McRae broke tackles to surge over the Romford line but unselfishly passed to prop Jay Hatcher for him to touchdown, Jay showing his versatility with a drop goal conversion to end the game to the cheers of the delighted home supporters.

Next week Colchester host Woodford at Mill Road, Kick Off 15.00

Gary Griffiths, Colchester RFC