Colchester delivered a pre-Christmas cracker of a win to move top of London North League One with a nine try bonus point victory
against a competitive Ruislip side, leaping over Eton Manor who lost away to Letchworth.

More than fifty points have been scored in six of Colchester’s eleven consecutive victories whilst the club’s second, third and fourth teams all lead their respective leagues in what is proving to be the club’s most successful season. The success is testament to Anthony O’Riordan’s coaching team and the skills and commitment of the players and many volunteers throughout the club.

Last season Ruislip beat Colchester home and away and the west London visitors were keen play attacking rugby with ball in hand, their quick back line well served by forwards who retained ball well. Ruislip initially made headway as the Colchester pack fumbled the kick off and took play to their host’s 22. The Colchester forwards, enjoying their best season in League One, drove their opponents off the ball from the first scrum, repeating this feat until injuries to Ruislip’s front row forwards forced uncontested scrums in the last ten minutes.

Winning turnover ball, the Colchester pack unleashed their backs, centre Joe Flexman creating a gap to speed upfield and link with fullback Brett Cutbush who closed to the Ruislip line. Forwards recycled ball until lock Graeme Hay powered his way over for the opening try on three minutes.

Colchester pressure saw wing Damien Brambley force Ruislip to concede a five metre lineout, Hay’s take preceding No. 8 James McRae’s dive to place the ball on the line for a try.

Ruislip gamely ran the ball at Colchester who absorbed attacks until turning over ball and counter attacking, prop Joe McMillan setting a midfield platform, flyhalf David Higgins’ chip chased down by skipper Calum Irvine for a try, Higgins adding the conversion.
Overconfidence proved Colchester’s undoing as a loose pass was intercepted by Ruislip flyhalf Alex Fieldhouse to run in an opportunist try, Stuart Pearman converting. Ruislip continued to press, forcing a string of penalties that culminated with Pearman kicking another three points.

Colchester responded immediately, a tackle dislodging the ball that was hacked forward by wing James Crozier who won the foot race to score the fourth bonus point try for the 22-10 halftime lead.

Keeping up the pressure, Colchester drove Ruislip’s scrum into reverse near their line where flanker Ollie Pickett pounced on loose ball for a try. Flanker Ollie White made a twenty metre break before Ruislip prop Charlie Doyle was sin binned for preventing quick release. Colchester opted for a scrum, prop James Mitchell rumbling to the line before lock Liam Pickett joined his brother on the scoresheet with a close range try.

Colchester’s next try was the best of a good day. Ruislip’s restart kick was taken by White, scrumhalf Gregor Irvine quickly released Higgins who drew defenders before unloading a long pass to Calum Irvine running at speed, bisecting Ruislip’s defence before releasing James Crozier who led chasing defenders to race in under the posts. Following multi-phase Colchester forward drives, wing Dave Brennan marked his return from injury with a try, Higgins adding his fourth conversion of the day.

With minutes remaining, Colchester flanker Harry Gozzett was yellow carded for a late tackle. Ruislip tried to exploit their player advantage, rumbling from their own to their opponent’s 22 but the ball was spilled in a tackle. Calum Irvine reacted quickly, running three quarters the length of the field to score with the final act of the game to take Colchester above the half century points tally.