Colchester Rugby Club’s under-17s returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 41-10 victory at Essex Cup holders South Woodham Ferrers.

The pack secured good possession throughout the first half, with the backs generating and taking opportunities well to lead 29-5 at the break.

Tries came from Jack Martin, Dan Withers, Will Johnson, Rory Hartley and Adam Chamberlain, with two conversions by Sam Edwards.

The second half was closer, but further scores by Julian Chamberlain and Adam Chamberlain and another conversion by Edwards wrapped up the victory against a side they had not beaten before.

Colchester’s COLTS had a disappointing performance in losing 36-7 to a talented and powerful Sevenoaks squad and the UNDER-16s development side drew 12-12 with Clacton, but the UNDER-15s hammered Upminster 71-0.

The under-15s development side were unable to replicate the form of their A team, though, as they lost 15-5 at Clacton.

Colchester put in a commendable performance, with the forwards scrummaging exceptionally well as Mike Green and Duncan Drake had a good showing in the front row and Dan Pedge and James Hamlin out-powered the heavier Clacton pack.

Good kicking from hand by Rob Jack, Liam Barlett and Luke Green, followed up by strong chasing from Cameron Patterson and Jordan Day put the home team under pressure for much of the half.

Joe Storey scored for Colchester between two breakaway tries by the hosts.

The Seasiders were able to use their extensive bench during the second half, but Colchester defended well, with Marcus Hinton and man-of-the-match Rob Jack stopping breakaways and Oli Logan, George O’Leary and Joe Storey covering acres in midfield.

Colchester UNDER-14s faced a tough and confident Brentwood side, who were able to use the superior weight of their pack to their advantage by dominating the scrum and line-out.

However, hosts Brentwood struggled to match Colchester’s work rate at the breakdown and the speed of distribution from Eddie Parry at fly-half and the visitors won 20-0.

Tries by Dylan Ponty and Cameron Ives gave a deserved 10-0 half-time lead and second-half scores from Reuben Jex and Rob Jex finally saw Colchester hobble away with a well-earned victory.

The UNDER-13s put in a disappointing performance to lose 17-12 to a large Wymondham side in a match littered with handling errors and poor decision-making.

Colchester’s tries came from flanker Ben Kelland and prop Josh Puckey, with a conversion by centre Frankie Hunt.

The under-13s B team never recovered from a slow start against Clacton and lost 24-7.

Centre Dan Harding smashed his way through to score a try from 60 metres out, which Freddie Cooke converted, but that was their only scoring in a rather one-sided game in some areas.

However, the under-13s B team did beat Wymondham 15-10 as winger Jack Edwards dashed in from 65 metres to score a try and Ollie Chapman and Leo Shepard scored closer efforts after half-time to seal the win.

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