Colchester conquered Romford 10-66 in a dozen try bonus point victory to stay top of the league. In an outstanding team performance eleven Colchester players contributed points, scoring from all parts of the field including tries for each of the four brothers in the side. Dry conditions and a good playing surface allowed Colchester to play the expansive fifteen player running rugby that has taken them to the top of the league this season.

Romford’s well drilled pack were solid at set plays and recycled ball well, young scrumhalf Tom Cameron linking well with skipper Steve Barfoot at Number 8. However, Colchester’s pack proved more mobile, winning turnovers and defending robustly, running combinations to link with their backs with good handling at pace to outperform their north London hosts.

Starting strongly, Colchester wing Joe Flexman fielded a Romford kick and counterattacked from his own half to take play near the Romford line where brother Nick ran in the opening try in his first game as a flanker.

A yellow card for a potentially dangerous tackle reduced Romford to fourteen. Reversing a Romford turnover, wing James Crozier made ground enough for skipper Calum Irvine to wriggle over to score. The Colchester pack then won a Romford scrum put-in, scrumhalf Ed Perry finding Irvine who released fullback Brett Cutbush for a try. Hooker Charlie Thorogood burst through the middle, flanker Ollie Pickett continuing the charge to set brother Liam over in the corner for the bonus point fourth try within 25 minutes of play.

As Colchester eased off, Romford rallied. A penalty kick lineout catch and drive preceded Ben Williams passing out of the tackle for fellow centre Paul Webb to grab a try back for the halftime score 5 – 20.

From the second half restart, Colchester flanker Danny Whiteman raced upfield, prop Joe McMillan taking the ball on and recycling to Cutbush who stepped outside his covering defender to score his second try. The restart kick was again shipped upfield, flyhalf David Higgins’ skilful cross field kick chased and caught by lock Ollie White for a try, Higgins’ kick rebounding off the crossbar.

The first successful conversion points followed the eighth try of the game. Whiteman made another telling break, Irvine crafting a grubber kick collected by James Crozier for a try, Higgins converting this and the next try following a determined solo run. Ollie Pickett charged from his own half, showing a fine pair of heels and two powerful handoffs to tiring defenders before crashing over the line with two tacklers in tow for a fine try to crown a great display. Even missed passes went Colchester’s way, Irvine scooping the ball off the floor to dance through for his second try.

Romford suffered their second yellow for repeated offside – yet rallied to add a second try from Ben Lawrence after a penalty kick to touch and lineout catch and drive.

Colchester responded with replacement prop Jerome Awesu supporting on Irvine’s shoulder to take the pass for the tenth try, Higgins drop-kicking the conversion. Prop Jay Hatcher contributed an assist by running a quickly taken penalty and linking with Joe Flexman for the wing to score. Another quickly taken penalty following a deliberate Romford knock-on enabled Colchester to flow upfield, centre Matt Smith diving over for his teams’ dozen before respected referee David Herdman whistled to end the contest.