Colchester 80, Thurrock 17

RARELY can such a heavy defeat have produced so many opportunities and signposts to future success. Just as the Principality Stadium (and every other stadium) needs to improve its security to prevent mindless spectators influencing outcomes, Thurrock are taking on board the essential premise that clubs should be built from the base with the strongest structures to secure the future.

Most successful teams have a spine of seasoned, experienced players, a few with a certain "Je ne sais quoi" and a sprinkling of youth. The team which travelled to Raven Park on Saturday consisted of some of the most youthful members ever to represent Thurrock and they fought manfully against an outstanding Colchester side brimful of talent.

In spite of the inflated scoreline, there was as much to be proud of as there was to learn from defeat.

Raven Park, Colchester, is a blueprint for the future of rugby and full marks to the local authority for providing such magnificent facilities for the community. A mightily impressive pre-match lunch meant a massive, partisan crowd, spearheaded by former players like fly-half Colin Perkins! Just to enjoy the camaraderie and see young families browsing in the splendid club shop made the trip worthwhile!

On the field, Thurrock, despite a host of injuries and last minute changes, were determined to make a fight of it. Indeed, the visitors had the better of the early exchanges as Charlie Russo and Joss Nunn crossed swords with former Thurrock favourite, Tom Pool.

Despite having to play four props, the forwards more than held their own, with the line-out providing some decent ball. Unfortunately injuries to wingers have left the team hamstrung for pace and, with players drafted in to fill positional gaps, Colchester found acres of space on the outside!

A missed touch and weak chase allowed full- back, Jonah Varela, to accelerate through the patchwork defence. Scrum-half, Andy Dixon, made a sharp incision before creating the opportunity for the speedy Connor O'Reilly to open the scoring. Fly-Half Dan Lewis missed the conversion in what became an almost faultless display by the 10.

Shortly after another sortie by Varela put right winger Dave Brennan out of reach, with Lewis adding the extras.

This signalled a fine response from the Thurrock pack who gained traction from some powerful carries and, following a clever line-out ploy involving Caolan Watts-Adams, the peerless Joss Nunn saw his way over the line after a typically determined, twisting run.

This was Thurrock's best period with Ben Timson and the rest of the back row getting to grips with the occasion. Jack Cowman was having his best game of the season and there is no doubt that he, Frank Wright and the other young forwards will prove formidable in the future.

Unfortunately, after a midfield set-piece, Dixon caught the defence napping with a quick "tap and go". Colchester were awarded a penalty try and the indignity of Alex Jones and Tom Pool going to the bin after an offence by the former Thurrock man!

Now the home side took full advantage of injuries to Thurrock's wingers as O'Reilly scored a brace of brilliant tries with fleet-footed endeavour on the flank, his first almost covering the length of the field.

In spite of a side-stepping foray by Ben Timson, the floodgates opened as Lewis imperiously prompted openings for his wingers with deft kicks and flawless passing. Brennan and O'Reilly had a field day as Lewis cruelly exposed Thurrock's depleted resources as injuries and yellow cards reduced them to 12 men at one stage!

As Colchester ran out to their best performance against Thurrock, the Oakfielders never gave up and a superb run from the indomitable Joss Nunn brought a deserved try which Tom Worsfold converted.

Winning away from home is always difficult, especially against top teams with a large following and a quest for promotion. Success is rarely achieved with a depleted, injury-ravaged team, but those selected never gave up and were a credit to the club.

Have no fear, with a superb turn- out at Monday's Academy night, excellent coaching from first team volunteers and the inspiration of leading sports psychologist Leanne White, Thurrock have great days ahead!