Pre-lockdown this was a fixture always dominated by Colchester RFC both at home and especially away. Following last week’s last gasp defeat to Harpenden RFC I think truthfully our mind-set was that Colchester would be travelling with the intention of more of the same. Dominant pack, dominant backs with a dominant win to celebrate on their bus ride home to deepest deepest Essex.

Curiously though there seemed to be a renewed A&C confidence in the air. We could and should have been unbeaten and top of the league going into this 4th v 5th clash. We had some key players returning to add more ballast and pizazz to our efforts and our last heavy defeat to Colchester (53-0) was over 2 years ago was now surely a very distant memory.

To try and cement this optimism and ensure a large home crowd the club hosted a pre-match Celebratory Luncheon to remember and celebrate the lives of those members of the club who had died during lockdown and for all to look forward to life post-lockdown with rugby again being at the core of family and community. In turn we also welcomed and awarded club ties to the following making their home A&C debut - David Cole (2), Doug McGregor-Smith (3), Will Drewett (4), Conor Segre (9) and Andre McFarlane (14) With this celebratory theme surely A&C could be today’s winners and therefore grinners at full time J

With blue skies and September sunshine A&C kicked off attacking away from the club house. With 10mins to make a big ‘Chilts’ impression on Colchester it was stand-off Noah Jarvis seizing the opportunity to score the first 3 points by way of a penalty following some Colchester naughty stuff at the ruck (3 – 0). A&C kept the pressure on with a confident start although soon Colchester responded with powerful forward play, which produced their own penalty opportunity. The opportunity however was not taken. Then came a period of play where both sides applied pressure with their being little between them. On 20 mins though a Dave Francis power play ensured he thundered over the 22 and touched down for a fine fine converted try (10 – 0). Given A&Cs history with Colchester there was every chance this young up and coming A&C First Team could now just have made them a wee bit angry. Certainly Colchester then did up the tempo with sustained possession and territory to score their own converted try (10 -7). One try though was not enough for this energised Colchester pack and true to form in the 28th minute they nailed their second converted try (10 – 14). How angry would they get??? A&C surely would not buckle and with a penalty award for a high tackle soon afterwards Noah Jarvis again ensured 3pts were secured (13 – 14). Colchester’s anger/anxieties then really began to surface with the first of a few cardings. The Colchester No10 was the first to be sin-binned with only 5 mins to go to half-time. The indiscipline in the Colchester ranks then began to spread with the No12 also spending 10 mins in the cooler. You would have thought that would be enough before half-time but it wasn’t and again A&C stoked the Colchester boiler resulting in Robert Hughes galloping over for a timely try which secured a well-deserved A&C half-time lead (18 – 14)

The 13 remaining Colchester players remained on the pitch for their half-time inquest whilst A&C retired to their changing room for sweeties, refreshments and cuddles. This was a rejuvenated A&C side who 3 games into this league campaign was already showing toughness and pride. True to form and only 3 mins from kick-off it was Robert Hughes again breaking through the centre and scoring right in front of a packed clubhouse gallery (23- 14). Colchester remained frustrated and with their effective and experienced pack ensured A&C were unable to pull away. With a converted try only 6mins into the 2nd half again there was little between the teams (23-21). With anger remaining in their bellies it wasn’t long until their No13 took the well-trodden path to the ‘Colchester Cooler’ and again Colchester were depleted just at the time they got back to full strength. Step up Ollie Choules. With calmness personified from the resulting penalty he slotted it with confidence and a smile to again try and pull away (26-21). A&C continued to turn the screw with a scintillating attack involving both backs and forwards and Joe BATT, with a side-step to die for going in under the posts for a converted try (33-21). Colchester would not let it lie. Even with more naughtiness and a deserved red card they still used their experienced forwards to attack the A&C line. It was sustained and the A&C defence immense. Colchester just had to score again and they did. With conversion (33-28) the next 5 mins was going to be tense. With the recent memories of Harpenden Captain Birdseye (Josh Finch) showed leadership by taking a yellow card for the team and leading am impressive defensive effort. It was never in doubt – honest.

Man of the Match – Jacques O’Driscoll (2nd Row)

33-28 Winners!! And surely what could now be the kick-start to what should be the most wonderful of rugby seasons ahead. Well done all!!!

Next Week – we are all aboard the happy bus to Thurrock.

See You There.