Harwich and Dovercourt Rugby Club beat Colchester

It is fair to say that the new facilities at Colchester are amazing and certainly laid the foundation for some flowing delightful rugby.

Harwich came out of the blocks firing with some strong forward carries, and providing some quick ball for the backs to unleash their skills.

There was some impressive footwork and guile shown by Miles and Moore.

Both sides were clearly keen to put on strong performances and although some resolute defence was on show from Harwich, the Colchester team put together some impressive phase play to score the first try of the game.

Harwich picked themselves up straight away and went back on the attack, generating some fast ball and forcing the home team into multiple penalties.

This gave Josh Leeks the chance to go over the line, only to have been ruled to be surprisingly held up.

Harwich continued to attack and were rewarded with a try through some smart play through the middle of the park to then score a well-deserved try.

Both sides, now more settled into their game plans, continued to press and test each sides tackling and it was at this moment that invigorated prop forward Rob Kemp struck by charging down a Colchester clearing kick, allowing Harwich to get a score to take the lead.

Colchester came back very strongly towards the end of the first third of play, scoring another try in the corner after some strong Harwich defence.

With both sides making some changes, the second period began in much the same way that the first had finished.

Strong forward carrying resulting in some blistering play from the Harwich back line to go over under the posts.

Harwich continued to pressure the home side, scoring another well worked try in the corner after some strong ball carrying from Woods and Warren.

Colchester however were not keen to be outdone on their home ground and scored a powerful try of their own through the forwards, soon after.

Leading into the final period of play, again both sides made changes to ensure everyone got a good level of rugby.

And with the towering presences of Sewell and Kemp back in the fray, Harwich looked to apply further pressure on the hosts.

Colchester were camped in the Harwich 22 for a significant period of play, but were unable to break the final defence.

There was especially effective tackling coming from the better Pitham, resulting in a quick turnover and Andrew Sterry outpacing all of the Colchester defence to score a marvellous try under the posts.

Both sides continued to press all over the pitch and coming close on a number of occasions, Harwich finished the scoring with another breakaway try, with Sterry again finishing in the corner.

Harwich man of the match was David Castleman for his continued effort and playing on the edge of the rule book to secure possession and some strong ball carrying.

Harwich host Mistley at Low Road on Saturday in a local derby and the last of their pre-season warm-up games.