COLCHESTER Rugby Club lost 50-22 at Tonbridge Juddians in their second friendly of the summer, writes STEVE WHITEMAN.

The Blacks travelled to Kent to take on a strong Tonbridge team who ended mid-table last season in National League 2 East, to which Colchester have recently been promoted.

The heavy rain cleared but the Juddians' grass pitch was damp, but playable.

The match turned out to be a game of two halves with Tonbridge dominating the first half by seven tries to one but the visitors winning the second half, three tries to one.

Colchester had a squad of 22 players and coach Craig Burrows used them all to give higher level experience.

Flanker Alex Grey, with his Pontypool and Welsh Sevens background, skippered and fly-half Corey Button was vice captain.

Tonbridge scored very quickly after their kick-off when their speedy backline moved the ball to their outside centre, who sped over for a converted try.

(Image: COLCHESTER RUGBY CLUB)

The Blacks soon replied via flanker Oli Pickett but then the game went all the Kent side’s way.

Strong running by their fleet-footed backs led to no less than six more tries being scored before the interval.

They were well supplied by their forwards from the set pieces and although the Blacks pack matched them in the scrums the home side had the edge in the lineouts.

The half-time score was 43-5 and coach Craig Burrows gave the Blacks some stern words about improving their defence.

He made several changes to the team - hooker Dan Brennan came on for Francois Rossouw, flanker Cam Kerr replaced Grey, lock Joe Brock replaced Sam Easton and prop Leroy O’Neil made way for Lewis Jeffrey to join his brother Callum in the front row.

After 15 minutes of nip and tuck by both sides, the Blacks gained the ball which Button kicked into touch ten metres from the Juddian line.

(Image: COLCHESTER RUGBY CLUB)

Colchester secured the lineout ball and drove forward for Brennan to touch down a fine try.

Tonbridge soon replied following the restart when the ball was whipped along their back line to the full back, who touched down a converted try.

Later, following their lineout, Colchester's new scrum-half Fin Creighton, recruited from Shelford, whipped the ball out to Danny Whiteman playing at inside centre.

He advanced and off loaded to fellow centre Jack Edwards who stormed over bringing the score to 50-15.

At a later lineout good linking between Brennan and Brock won the ball.

The Blacks drove over for Brennan to claim his second score which Creighton converted, bringing the final score to 50-22.

This was valuable match experience for the whole Colchester squad and shows how challenging it is going to be in this fourth tier league.

Indeed, Colchester’s first home opponents will be Juddians on September 14, seven days after their first match at Canterbury.