WESTCLIFF 16 COLCHESTER 10

London League division one north east

Top-of-the-table Westcliff entertained Colchester to their second game of 2011.

On a dry windy day , with a firm pitch at Aviation Way, a close game was produced by the on-form teams Westcliff enter the second half of the season with a 13-point lead at the head of the division and only one defeat so far.

And this game showed why.

The home side was never at its best due to the tenacity and commitment of the Colchester defence and the threat they posed with ball in hand.

With one try apiece, it was still Westcliff who ground out a victory as Colchester errors allowed Ben McKeith’s goal-kicking to eventually prove the difference.

At the heart of the Westcliff success is a very well organised defensive line-up, which has only conceded 25 points in their last six games – and pace outside.

With the Pickett brothers and Tico Tamani unavailable Colchester brought in ex-England Under-16 hooker Tom Crozier for his league debut, gave a run at scrum-half to Brett Cutbush and Jake Neil made his debut at number six.

And they acquitted themselves well, with Cutbush providing a highly effective linkman, Crozier giving no quarter despite his youth and Neil are going to give the selectors a nice problem when the Picketts return next week.

The game started with both sides looking for an opening advantage but handling errors disrupted the pattern and the first opportunity came to Colchester.

The penalty went to touch but the five-metre line-out was lost and Westcliff cleared their lines - and then put the first points on the board, McKeith kicking a penalty.

It was now all home side pressure as they first disrupted a Colchester scrum then made good yards and at the next scrum.

A set move put Cosgrove under the posts, McKeith converted and Westcliff were 10-0 to the good.

Colchester were galvanised and camped on the Westcliff line.

Twice they were denied tries by last-ditch tackles but as the half drew to a close Westcliff strayed off side, the successful penalty kick brought the score to 10-3.

After the break Westcliff started with vigour and with the wind advantage scores seemed inevitable – and they came.

But the tenacity and determination of the Colchester defence prevented tries and Westcliff had to be satisfied with two penalties from McKeith’s unerring boot .

At 16-3 and with wind advantage the game looked over.

But the visitors were not finished and started to gain the upper hand.

First Mitchell was held up over the try-line .

Then frustration got the better of Westcliff and scrum-half Farnham entered the bin and with a numerical advantage Colchester scored a fine try from 40 metres Collecting a wayward Westcliff kick James Crozier scythed through the chasing defence, off-loaded to Jon Vine who made ground and got the pass away for Irvine to cross under the posts which Withers converted.

And immediately Colchester went back on the rampage but a stray foot in touch denied them the score.

And that was the last chance they got.

The Westcliff sin-binned player returned – to swap places with his colleague, Elliott Levy binned for a bit of over exuberance.

Westcliff camped in the opposition half for the last five minutes , kept possession by pick and drive until the clock ran down.

So Westcliff ran out winners, retained their lead at the top of the table while Colchester had to settle for a bonus point, a drop to sixth but the knowledge that if they can reproduce this form across the rest of the season – they will not lose many more games.

See this week's Essex County Standard for more reaction and a round-up of all the local rugby action.