Colchester crush the Vikings to claim third place finish

Colchester Brett Cutbush ignites a break against North Walsham. Picture: RICHARD PARKER (Image: Archant)

Man-of-the-match Damien Brambley got a brace of tries, constantly weaving his magic with his elusive running.

Skipper Liam Pickett also had an excellent game, often stealing opposition ball in the line-outs, giving Colchester plenty of possession with which to launch many attacks to claim six tries in this pulsating game.

Once again wing James Crozier put on a fine kicking display, converting all but one of the tries as well as two penalties.

Playing into the wind Colchester got off to a slow start and conceded a try after only ten minutes as Vikings’ fullback Josh Brown crashed over under the posts with scrum half Lee Thomson converting.

Stirred into action Colchester soon came back into their opponents’ half and overturned a Viking scrum. Liam Pickett broke through the cover and fed prop Joe Reid who scored a great try.

Colchester never looked back after this score and all 15 players raised their game. From an attack deep in their own half the ball was moved to Cutbush who sold a dummy to wrong foot the Viking defence and scamper through to score Colchester’s second try.

Before long the Blacks won a penalty, which Crozier stroked between the posts. Then came a brilliant try when Colchester won a line-out and moved the ball through their backs for Crozier to score just before half-time.

After five minutes No 8 Ollie Pickett broke from the back of a scrum, intercepted a pass and earned the Blacks a penalty which Crozier converted.

Later Cutbush linked with flankers Danny Whiteman and Joe Beckett with the latter almost scoring. Subsequently Wadling disrupted his opposite number at the back of a Viking scrum, the stolen ball was moved left for Brambley to score.

With time running out Brambley and Crozier both scored again to round off this stunning victory.