Snooze time is getting shorter for the OAs and this match gave evidence that the visitors were thinking more than somewhat about the game they played. For long periods the Albanian side slowed matters down whilst the next move was considered and this is a sure sign of growing confidence.

In brief, the tight scrum gave Colchester pause for though all afternoon but especially since the first push they encountered 3 minutes in proved a lesson in demolition which, to their credit they recovered from and dealt with manfully for the rest of the day. Yet when you've been mulla'd early on the thought never really leaves your mind till you're safely back in the bar.

The lineout went similarly and both sides maintained a steady stream of good possession with the throw and only one of the home team's attempts went wayward.

In loose play the visitors dominated despite the valliant efforts of No 8 Tabuatamata and his ilk who was a thorough nuisance throughout.
The ocassional hole appeared in the visitors' close defence when under extreme pressure but this was nothing to make a coach douse himself ceremonially in petrol. A's can feel very pleased with their defence in general.

Open side Archie Radonovitch stepped off his tight foot and crossed by the posts and Andrew Nurse and Baily Thomas interchanged neatly and accurately for the latter to score on the right. Both tries were improved by Sam Jones. Interestingly OAs threatened for a full fifteen minutes between these opening tries...was it patience and control or a minor snooze?

Then ten minutes later Leroy O'Neill, a proper handful, made visiting defence superfluous when he tore over half way out on the left. Thus nudged the Albanian pressure resumed and, just before the break, six possession phases gave the opportunity to Jo Bridger but too far from the sticks for Jones this time. 5-19 at half time.

The second half bustled away for the first 15 minutes until the Colchester forwards broke the deadlock and Dan Lewis was credited with the touchdown, Fin Creighton's conversion narrowing the margin to 7 points. Jones widened the gap moments later for an unconverted try. Francois Rossouw gave his side their second score remarkably whilst his team was reduced to 14 men. Yet with the hosts back in with a shout events in the final fifteen put the fixture beyond doubt.

Skipper Toby Ponsford ended with possession after seven forceful phases and Alex Noot intercepted under his own posts and celebrated 95 metres later. Both these last were converted by Jones for a 19-38 final scoreline.

Sevenoaks visit Woollams next week, kickoff 1500hrs.