Colchester proved to be pushovers quite literally in a one-sided local derby against a Westcliff side whose forwards scored five pushover tries and limited Colchester to scraps of possession. The seven try loss leaves Colchester needing a winning streak and relying upon other teams to fail if they are to avoid relegation this season.

Hoping for revenge for the close 19:17 Westcliff win in the October away fixture, Colchester discovered to their cost that the larger Westcliff pack had improved considerably, pushing Colchester off the ball and denying Colchester backs possession.

Injuries denied Colchester front row players yet the replacements the Colchester pack gave their all against larger and more experienced opponents. Despite being outmuscled, commitment was not in doubt as players put their bodies on the line, injuries to skipper Liam Pickett and hooker Charlie Thorogood forcing them to leave the field.

Colchester started the game strongly until a Westcliff scrum drive caught the hosts offside and flyhalf Jack Jones converted to start the scoring. Colchester pressure pinned the visitors into their half for most of the first quarter, a high tackle earning Westcliff centre John Rudd a yellow card. Danny Whiteman and Brandon Fanolua made ground, but strong tackling led to spilled ball and scores denied.

Restored to full strength, Westcliff took the game to Colchester, a foot in touch denying a try before a catch and drive lineout try for hooker Jack Hopkins. Scrum dominance and tight control led to Colchester conceding penalties that Westcliff kicked for position. A series of scrums wore down Colchester resistance until the first scrum pushover try for No. 8 Joe Vandermolen ended the first half, Jones adding his second conversion for the 0:17 halftime lead.

The visitors pack adapted the scrum as an attacking weapon for the second half. Colchester were driven back, a series of scrum fails ending with Vandermolen’s second pushover try.

Westcliff backs’ overconfidence proved costly. A loose bouncing pass was seized by Colchester wing Harry Barton who raced in an opportunist try from 40 metres to put the home side on the scoreboard.

Hopes of a Colchester revival were quickly dashed by a break by Rudd and another scrum pushover try grounded by flanker George Maloney. Westcliff continued to pressure a dispirited Colchester, a lineout catch and drive pushover try for lock Rupert Edwards following.

Colchester rallied, replacement hooker Alex Rayment breaking through the middle to set up an attacking platform on the visitor’s line before a poor pass enabled a Westcliff counterattack with fullback Chris Dudman racing almost the length of the field for a try.

A second high tackle yellow card meant Colchester flanker Ben Murphy sat out the final few minutes.

The Westcliff scrum had the final say, forcing a series of Colchester scrum failures that left referee Andy Smith no option but to award a penalty try, Jones adding his fifth conversion to close the game.

Gary Griffiths, Colchester RFC