Colchester 38 Letchworth GC 36

Should Colchester achieve promotion and after this weekend's result, it looks increasing likely that they will do, they will look on this game as one that they were fortunate to win, although as they say it is never over till the final whistle.

In a fantastic game for the neutral, both sets of fans were kept on tenterhooks right to the death with the lead changing hands several times. it seems like legends were going to make up for their drubbing earlier in the season at the hands of the leaders of the league, but alas, for Liam Fitts and his men it was not to be . Although bitterly disappointed legends can take comfort from their coach Basra, who said he was proud of all of them all their performances and we can go on this season to finish in the top few places even if a third promotion in succession is beyond our grasp

Off the field Colchester were consummate hosts at their lemon squeezer stadium entertaining some 150 guests for lunch and it almost looked after 60 minutes that they would be obliging on the field as well as Parkhouse dotted down a superb try . If anything is to be learnt from the last twenty minutes then it is the need to close down the game as Colchester's subsequent score came from loose Letchworth play . 

The first ten minutes were keenly contested in mid field until a well weighted kick through allowed the Colchester winger to gather and score in the corner which was ably converted . Legends didn't panic and some good play brought a penalty that the dependable Sharp slotted .Then it was the home sides turn to drive over and score an unconverted try . 

However the period up to half time really showed Letchworth dominating play . A loose kick from the otherwise impressive Colchester full back was gathered by number eight Tom Lewis on half way . He really built up a head of steam as he scattered Colchester defenders like nine pins in a rampant run . On his outside Charlie Parkhouse took the scoring pass for a seven pointer under the posts . Letchworth were soon knocking on the door again as Harvey Howman who had another great game at nine broke and dummied then fed his outside half Josh Sharp who danced through the defence to make it 12/17 .Letchworth had several more chances through Titherington and Parkhouse but just failed to score and at the break Colchester were severely rattled . 

However the home side started the second period well and were soon back on level terms with a well worked score . However an injury to the Colchester number 13 left them vulnerable out wide and over the next fifteen minutes Letchworth really exploited this . A great break by Max Heathman saw Sharp dance over again to restore the lead . Back came Colchester with a try after sustained pressure and good defence from the visitors . But then from a first phase attack great long passing from Sharp Titherington and Parkhouse put substitute winger Chris Gibbs in at the corner to make it 24/31 after Sharps great conversion .When another great move from the backs saw Parkhouse go over for a fine unconverted try it seemed the travelling faithful could dream of a memorable win .

But Colchester are top for a reason and led by their talismanic skipper Mitchell who was making his 250 th appearance for the Ravens they were not going to give up . Letchworth continued to play an expansive game but an error was seized on by the home side who made the difference just five points 

It was now nip and tuck and chew your nails time . Several attacks were repulsed but then Letchworth lost there own ball at a lineout and Colchester exploited this with a fine score out wide 

In the 78 th minute the crowd was silent as the Colchester kicker who up to now had been somewhat inconsistent lined up the ball from the corner . This time his effort split the uprights to the delight of the home crowd and heartbreak for Legends 

Although disappointed Liam Fitts and his men had proved they could more than live with the best in this league and this bodes well for the remainder of the season . Next up are Oundle at home kick off 2 pm and Legends know they owe the Peterborough boys one after their away performance in October … plus it is Tom Lewis birthday so what possibly could go wrong .. all will be revealed by four o clock next Saturday

There is a lunch beforehand and all diners should contact Les Wilsher 07827373937 . 

Team

from one

Robinson 

Hughes K 

Stokes 

Peasnell

Jones 

Hesthman

Fitts

Lewis

Howman

Sharp 

Sullivan Warner

Streets 

Titherington

Henderson

Parkhouse C 

Wilcock

Mongston 

Gibbs 

BB