Following on from the new Iceni's inaugural home fixture and win in November the squad have been reviewing their performance and continued training in preparation for this game. Sunday saw the Iceni's hit the road for their first away fixture, this time against Crusaders RFC 1XV Women. Following the Iceni's first game performance courtesy of the club and the Seniors, the team travelled by coach to Crusaders giving the team a positive boost to repay this support with a determination to end 2019 on a high with a win.

Crusaders had played three games previously with mixed success, but the fact that already before the end of the week their player numbers were limited, meant that Game On rules would be applied. However, the fixture was in danger of being cancelled late on Sunday morning when their numbers were reduced further but the Iceni team was already on the road, and discussion to the game format would be held once Iceni's arrived. That said though Crusaders did wonderfully well to draft in a few players to host a 13 v 13 game, which was good because Iceni's themselves had a couple of late drop outs, but would still be able to use replacements. Scrums and lineouts were uncontested and the game split into 15 minute quarters.

Crusaders kicked off and the ball was immediately gathered up by Icenis who rapidly pressed forward with good discipline in their first attack which led to Lauren Fee on her debut with the team score her first try following a Colchester scrum inside Crusaders twenty two. The conversion was unsuccessful so Crusaders 0 - 5 Colchester. At the kick off Colchester gathered the ball up and started to attack again with passion. Laura Barlow put in a really good effort driving forward really well despite opposition but was stopped by Crusaders defence just short of the try line, but captain Zoe Goate had the ball and crossed the line to score her first try of the game and Colchester's second, with unsuccessful conversion, the score Crusader 0 - 10 Colchester. As the quarter was coming to a close Crusaders started to press from their ten metre line towards Colchester's half but was stopped by good defensive work by Colchester's Zoe Goate, Mallory Bolter and Emma Madden bundling their opposition into touch. Following the line out Colchester pressed forward and it was Scarlett Oliver who crashed over to score her first try for the club and Colchester's third try, conversion unsuccessful with Crusaders 0 - 15 Colchester which bought about the end of the quarter.

The second quarter saw Colchester's Natasha Sampson who had managed to pick up a ligament injury, replaced by Maddison Seal who was making her debut. in the seniors having in the past played girl's rugby. Captain Zoe Goate was on fire in this game having gathered up the ball at the kick off and carry out a solo run despite some Crusaders defence trying to halt her progress to score her second try, and with another unsuccessful conversion Crusaders 0 - 20 Colchester. There followed a period of good rucking and counter-rucking by both teams. A Colchester knock on, gave a scrum penalty to Crusaders, which on the break just inside Colchester's half was turned over, but Colchester while starting to make a break knocked on the ball when tackled. Crusaders scrum saw them attempt a kick through which was intercepted by Colchester Fullback Rose McGillion who gave a great clearance kick which was chased down by Crusaders but in the end Crusaders player Serena found a way through Colchester's defence to get Crusaders first try of the game, conversion also unsuccessful Crusaders 5 - 20 Colchester. A last play following the restart bought the first half to a close.

The second half of the game Colchester kicked off, and as Crusaders pressed forward into Colchester's ten metre line. Lauren Fee turned over the ball and started to counter attack for Colchester, a good offload to Laura Barlow saw the Crusaders defence bundle her into touch just short of Crusaders twenty two. Following the Crusaders line out and a clearance kick as far as half way, Colchester started to push on the attack again and pressed forward for Zoe Goate to yet again find her way through Crusaders defence for her third try of the match. The conversion was unsuccessful Crusaders 5 - 25 Colchester. As the end of the third quarter approached Colchester carried on pressing forward their attacking game, and it has to be said Crusaders played well defensively but in the end Colchester's Rose McGillion fought her way over the line to score her first try on her first game for Colchester. Another unsuccessful conversion Crusaders 5 - 30 Colchester. However, the quarter ended badly for Zoe Goate with an injury to her back and she was replaced by Natasha Sampson for the last quarter of the game.

Crusaders could be forgiven for feeling low at this point, but they did not let their heads drop and were rewarded when Crusaders Evie found her way through Colchester's defence to score Crusaders second try of the game. The conversion was unsuccessful and it was now Crusaders 10 - 30 Colchester. However as the end of the game approached it was good attacking play by Colchester following a scrum just outside the Crusaders twenty two, that saw Lauren Fee score her second try and Colchester's seventh of the game. The conversion was unsuccessful and the game ended with a final score Crusaders 10 - 35 Colchester.

All of the Colchester team played well and aside from the try scorers mention must be made of the incredible attacking and defensive play numerous times throughout by Jodie Miller, Kay Blackman, Gemma Millis, Natasha Wootton and Alice Bliss. The team performance eclipsed that of their first game and that is despite a number of players having their first game for the team, and all played with very good discipline that aside from knock-ons, only saw two penalties against them whole game, but Colchester will now start to focus developing player kicking skills as missed conversions meant cost them additional points.

Mention must also be made of how well Crusaders played, and hosted Colchester. They put on a very good creditable performance under very difficult circumstances and played with honour, passion, grit and determination. The game was very well mannered, and well controlled by the referee.

It was a very nice way for Colchester to head into the Christmas break for the Merit League, and in the new year will start to prepare for their next fixture. They now lie 3rd in the Merit League behind Southend only separated by 2 point game difference. It is Colchester who will host Southend in January which could prove to be an important game.