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Saturday preview: National league rugby comes to Raven Park
Doug Boulton11 Sep 2024 - 09:52
By Edward Marriage
Colchester’s home supporters will get their first taste of National League rugby this weekend as the first team take their seasonal bow at Raven Park.
Saturday’s match against Tonbridge Juddians (kick-off 3pm) promises to be a challenging one, as the Kent side are amongst the favourites for promotion to the third level of English rugby this season.
The TJs, as they are known to their supporters, have strengthened their squad significantly over the summer with eight new recruits featuring in their opening 45-31 home win over Dorking, one of those debutants Curtis Barnes scoring a hat-trick of tries.
Colchester found their first match in National 2 East to be a tough affair, losing 53-13 at Canterbury on Saturday, but head coach Craig Burrows is urging everyone to keep their heads up.
“It’s about licking our wounds and coming back stronger, especially playing in front of our home crowd and on the 4G pitch which we’re used to, and which would make a big difference,” said Craig. “Hopefully we can entertain the home crowd.”
The teams met in a pre-season friendly last month, but with Colchester fielding an under-strength side not much should be read into the outcome that day.
This week’s team will show at least one change from last Saturday following the serious knee injury suffered by captain Alex Grey on his debut. It looks likely that Danny Whiteman, who was named before the match as co-captain and who came on for Grey in the 15th minute, will slot in.
Meanwhile, if selected it will be a landmark day for Francois Rossouw. Last season’s leading try-scorer is in line to play his 50th first team match for the club.
Supporters should be reminded that there is a £10 charge for entry to first team matches this season (£5 for members) and full details are on the club website and social media channels.
The Ravens will be looking to build on their excellent 26-20 win over Newmarket last weekend as they travel to Ipswich in Eastern Counties 1 (kick-off 3pm).
The 3s do not have a match this weekend but the 4s travel to play Bury 4s (3pm) and the Colchester Kings are in league action at home to London Stags (2pm).
All the Colchester teams appreciate your support as the weather turns autumnal and the season clicks into full action.
Saturday’s match against Tonbridge Juddians (kick-off 3pm) promises to be a challenging one, as the Kent side are amongst the favourites for promotion to the third level of English rugby this season.
The TJs, as they are known to their supporters, have strengthened their squad significantly over the summer with eight new recruits featuring in their opening 45-31 home win over Dorking, one of those debutants Curtis Barnes scoring a hat-trick of tries.
Colchester found their first match in National 2 East to be a tough affair, losing 53-13 at Canterbury on Saturday, but head coach Craig Burrows is urging everyone to keep their heads up.
“It’s about licking our wounds and coming back stronger, especially playing in front of our home crowd and on the 4G pitch which we’re used to, and which would make a big difference,” said Craig. “Hopefully we can entertain the home crowd.”
The teams met in a pre-season friendly last month, but with Colchester fielding an under-strength side not much should be read into the outcome that day.
This week’s team will show at least one change from last Saturday following the serious knee injury suffered by captain Alex Grey on his debut. It looks likely that Danny Whiteman, who was named before the match as co-captain and who came on for Grey in the 15th minute, will slot in.
Meanwhile, if selected it will be a landmark day for Francois Rossouw. Last season’s leading try-scorer is in line to play his 50th first team match for the club.
Supporters should be reminded that there is a £10 charge for entry to first team matches this season (£5 for members) and full details are on the club website and social media channels.
The Ravens will be looking to build on their excellent 26-20 win over Newmarket last weekend as they travel to Ipswich in Eastern Counties 1 (kick-off 3pm).
The 3s do not have a match this weekend but the 4s travel to play Bury 4s (3pm) and the Colchester Kings are in league action at home to London Stags (2pm).
All the Colchester teams appreciate your support as the weather turns autumnal and the season clicks into full action.
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