COLCHESTER Gladiators will be aiming to follow up their opening-day triumph when they host Cambridgeshire Cats, on Sunday.

The Gladiators claimed a hard-fought 34-26 win over the newly-promoted Wembley Stallions, on the first day of the campaign.

Colchester Gladiators head coach Luke Box said: “After what we felt was a good pre-season, it was the start we were looking for.

"Both sides of the ball had a fairly good day stepping up when needed to.

"Our focus is now very much on what went well as we prepare for the Cats on Sunday.”

Wembley took advantage of some early-season mistakes to keep the game and scoreline close.

But the Gladiators’ offence was in fine form, holding on to the ball, eating up the clock and keeping the visitors at arm's length.

The Gladiators started the game fast, stopping the Stallions' strong running game and forcing a punt from where QB Rob Wickham led a balanced drive that culminated in a two-yard TD pass to Byron Smith.

The extra point was wide but the Gladiators led 6-0 and their advantage was increased to 13 points shorty after when Adam Dickens ran the ball in from four yards out and Nathan Brown’s kick was good.

But Wembley got back in it when their monster running-back Junior Ejehu took advantage of some poor tackling to race through the centre of the home defence for a 47-yard breakaway score and the PAT closed the gap to six points, at 13-7.

A long pass from QB Wickham to brother Jake looked to have added to the home score but the referee, well behind the play, ruled it short of the goal line. However, three plays later there was no doubt as Dickens hung on to a deflected pass in the end zone for the touchdown.

Brown’s kick made the score 20-7.

The Stallions responded through Ejehu, who ran 63 yards for his second score of the day.

The extra point attempt was blocked but the Gladiators’ lead was back to seven points at half-time.

Gladiators received the ball to start the second half and wanted to make a statement.

But on just their second play, the Wembley defence stripped the ball from Eddie Collison and returned it for a touchdown.

The extra point tied the score at 20.

The Gladiators’ offence was having a strong game but driving the ball at will behind Rob Wickham’s strong arm and twin receiving threats Jake Wickham and Sam Gennings.

QB Wickham finished with 278 yards through the air and three scoring passes, with his sure-handed receivers finishing with five catches for 64 yards and seven for 119 respectively.

Tom Blum scored his first touchdown as a Gladiator with a one-yard run to retake the lead.

And the Stallions’ first long drive of the game ended with a 26-yard scoring pass from veteran Britball QB Junior Price to reduce their deficit to 27-26.

The Gladiators responded again at the end of the third quarter when Smith caught his second TD pass from Wickham, this time from eight yards out. Brown’s PAT gave them an eight-point lead which they never really looked like relinquishing.

The Stallions took to the air as time was running out but the revamped Gladiators’ secondary never looked threatened.

Frazer Lamb and Lewis Mews both nearly grabbed interceptions and the hosts saw out the game fairly comfortably.

Gladiators host the Cats at the Corporal Budd VC Gymnasium, Berechurch Road on Sunday, kick-off 2.30pm.