Westcombe Park prove too strong as Colchester are left with another defeat

Colchester hooker Alex Rayment attacks (Image: Archant)

Westcombe Park proved to be too strong for visitors Colchester and, in rainy conditions, came out on top by five tries to two.

Combe kicked off but were kept at bay initially by the fine kicking of Black’s fly-half David Higgins.

However, they soon moved the ball to outside centre Tom Gray who cut through to score.

Full-back Frankie Neal got the first of five conversions.

Joe Flexman and Colchester's forwards push up (Image: Archant)

Subsequently Higgin and his opposite number,Bradley Bateup, exchanged several long kicks.

Combe won a scrum but Brett Cutbush intercepted their half-back’s pass and ran the length of the pitch to score a fine converted try to give Colchester an early boost.

There were several penalties against both sides and Higgins and his opposite number,Bradle Bateup, exchanged many long kicks. After 25 minutes of to and fro,

Westcombe won a scrum but Black’s No 9 intercepted the pass between their half backs and ran the length of the pitch to scored a fine converted try under the posts putting the visitors level at 7-7.

Not long after this success, they were dismay to lose their scrum half yellow carded for killing the ball. Neale then added a successful penalty to his tally.

Alex Rayment replaced hooker Charlie Thorogood who both linked well with jumper Danny Whiteman. Ten minutes into the second half, a successful Combe lineout saw the ball moved left for another score, only Neale missed this conversion. Before long the hosts were back on the score sheet with a catch and drive try. 7-29 and Colchester were up against it especially as a deluge of rain prevented the free-flowing rugby they like to play.

However they went on to besiege the Combe try line with Rayment and flanker Rob Pickard to the fore gaining the hard yards.

Eventually this tactic paid off and Rayment claimed a touch down which James Crozier converted bringing the score to 14-29.

The game was starting to get a bit niggly and the referee handed out no less than three yellow cards in the last quarter of the game.

In the end, Westcombe Park had the final say with a typical forwards surge that led to a converted try and a final score of 14-36 in their favour as Colchester were again left to look back on another defeat at this level.