Sat 22 Nov 2025, 15:00
Colchester are outplayed but exploit yellow card with three tries
Legends took a single point from this top of the table contest and deserved five. Despite Colchester scoring in the opening few minutes, their no 8 Sean Bundy taking a short pass in the centres, braking the line and evading the cover to score, Letchworth dominated apart from a ten minute spell at the start of the second period.
Throughout the first half Letchworth dominated territory and possession but were foiled by indiscretions at the scrum and some poor passing. Then on nineteen minutes Jones won a lineout and several phases later Sharp dummied, stepped inside to hurtle over the line 7 v 7. Letchworth continued to press, Sharp taking less than just reward with a penalty on thirty eight minutes 7 v 10. Unfortunately just a minute later Luke Mongston was yellow carded for a high tackle. This was a decisive turning point.
During the first ten minutes of the second half Colchester were able to exploit the lack of a third back row player. A scrum penalty put Letchworth on their five meters line. A line out maul, over several phases had no 6 Kerr break the defence, Gabe Jones converting 14 v 10
Two minutes later a lack of control at the break down enabled Hayden Sykes to steal from the base, feed inside to substitute Edward Reid who sprinted in from thirty five meters 21 v 10
Legends then failed to deal with a speculative kick and Colchester set up camp on the five meter line. Tommy Wilcock replaced Mongston but Colchester pressed with driving mauls and rucks until Reid again forced his way over. Jones converted 28 v 10
Back to fifteen Legends reasserted themselves. It took ten minutes but Charlie Parkhouse found the edge, sprinted down the line and ten meters out found Will Titherington inside who ran under the posts, Sharp took no time to convert 28 v 17
Letchworth were clearly the better side and will rue the loss of Mongston. Colchester had to resorted to giving away penalties and perhaps should have lost a player due to repeated offences. From this continuous pressure Josh Parkhouse bullocked his way over in the corner with six minutes remaining. Sharp silencing what was a boisterous home crowd narrowing the gab to less than a score. Legends had scored fourteen points without reply. After a break from Josh Parkhouse a very nervous Colchester slowed the pace, held territory until the crowd erupted in cheers of relief and pleasure at the final whistle.
Letchworth will relish the rematch at Legends’ Lane and Colchester will think themselves fortunate to have won let alone taken five points.
Promotion is still a possibility with second and third placed teams entering the playoffs in May. To this end Letchworth will be looking to put some distance between themselves and the rest with an emphatic win on Saturday against third place Southend Saxons who were cemented 99 v 28 by Colchester in round 5.
