SUFFOLK CHADACRE CUP FINAL Colchester 61 Stowmarket 5

COLCHESTER played dazzling rugby to retain the Suffolk Chadacre Cup, running in nine tries to one against a plucky Stowmarket side who looked to attack throughout.

Colchester full-back James Crozier bagged a hat trick of tries, centre Calum Irvine a brace with fly-half Chris Withers’ consummate kicking display – in difficult windy conditions – adding eight out of nine conversions.

In response, flanker Robert Burch scored the solitary try for Stowmarket, who went into the final as Eastern Counties 1 champions and having disposed of Sudbury and Mersea Island en-route.

But Colchester showed that the three-division gap was too great with a mix of resilient defending and mobile forward play to claim the trophy and end an excellent season for the Essex side.