by Steve Whiteman

COLCHESTER 14

WESTCOMBE PARK 32

National League Three

VALIANT Colchester were beaten in a pulsating encounter against high-flying Westcombe Park despite putting in a brave display at Mill Road.

The Blacks competed well against the Kent outfit who are nine places higher in the league but eventually lost by five tries to two, in a pulsating match.

The visitors. who have now lost three successive matches, kicked off and right wing James Crozier made good the return kick.

Combe attacked and Colchester prop Jerone Awesu tackled their centre.

The Kent side were awarded a penalty which fly half James Cameron converted giving them a three-point lead.

Despite this early setback, Colchester came back at Combe through right wing Damien Brambley leading to a maul in their half.

Scrum half Matt Wadling picked up and sped over the line. to give Colchester a 7-3 lead.

Before long Combe were back in Colchester’s half turning over ball to release their fullback Frankie Neale to score and give them a 8-7 lead.

Colchester’s pack were being pushed back in the set-pieces but the lineouts were more successful with hooker Charlie Thorogood linking well with jumpers Liam Pickett and Ethan Hughes.

In the backs, centres Brandon Fanolua and George Liversidge tried hard to make inroads into the Kent defence and also defended well, often stopping their heavier opponents in their tracks.

Colchester then gave away a penalty which Cameron kicked to touch on their 22 line.

Winning their lineout Combe moved the ball right for centre Ant Hitchcock to go over for an unconverted try in the corner.

This physical game took a turn for the worse when Awesu was illegally tackled, much to the annoyance of the home crowd.

As a result, Combe’s hooker was yellow-carded and off for ten minutes.

Tom Jepson replaced the injured Awesu, leaving the Blacks with two hookers in the front row.

Combe had another player cautioned by the referee soon after but Crozier was unsuccessful with the penalty kick, leaving the half-time score 13-7.

Tom Miller restarted after the interval and the Blacks attacked but the move broke down when a home player came in at the side of a maul.

Cameron kicked the awarded penalty to the corner and from their lineout, Combe drove forward for flanker Isaac Ajayi to claim a converted try.

Andy Goodbourne came of the home bench to replace Jepson and moments later Combe were back down the hosts’ end.

Following three attempts at a scrum, they were awarded a bonus point penalty try.

Colchester raised their game after that and advanced into the visitors’ territory.

Brambley's weaving run outwitted the Combe defence and he scored a fine try in the corner with Crozier converted to make the score 25-14.

Flankers Flexman and Whiteman were working tirelessly in the back row, with the former being replaced by Rob Pickard.

Wing Nathan Thomas secured Combe's fifth and final try late on sealed their victory.