COLCHESTER 35 STOWMARKET 0
 

National Colts Cup
 

While the rest of their youth teams had a training day, Colchester Rugby Club’s Colts continued their progress in the Colts Under-18’s National Cup.
 

They booked their place in the fourth round with a well-orchestrated 35-0 win against a determined Stowmarket team.
 

Colchester started strongly, pinning Stowmarket back in their own territory for most of the first half.
 

Their pack were particularly adept in recycling quick ball and kept pressure on the Stowmarket defence, with Harry Badman being the first to benefit as he took the ball at speed and at a great angle to get the opening score for Colchester.
 

Tom Hughes was up next, outpacing the opposition to run in a try from near the halfway line.
 

The final try of the half was taken by centre Ben Murphy.
 

Steffan Osman stepped up to convert and also kicked a penalty to give Colchester a 23-0 lead at half-time.
 

In the second half, Stowmarket came back at Colchester and had more of the play, but their defence held out well.
 

There were a number of well-executed rolling mauls for Colchester as their pack dominated and created a platform to score twice in the second half.
 

The speed of Elliot Cryne was used out wide and Alex Burman scored a captain’s try close to the posts after a series of quick rucks.
 

With Osman converting the last try the final score was 35-0 to Colchester.
 

Their victory means Colchester have gone through to the final 32 in the cup and they wait to see what opposition is lined up for them in the New Year.