Sat 7 Mar 2026
Legends Lane has been the scene for many fine and close games over the past sixty years and this was certainly the case on Saturday. This much anticipated clash between first and second place didn’t disappoint as both sides gave it their all and the match ebbed and flowed over the eighty minutes as a large crowd egged on their respective teams. In the end it was a worthy win for Colchester whose previous experience at a higher level showed in their structure and ball retention. However the somewhat over the top soccer-like celebrations at the end were not really necessary… though maybe that’s how much it meant to them and so Legends should be complemented for running them so close and with the rub of the green could have taken the laurels. Baz Basra complemented his team for their performance despite the loss and picked out new boy centre Joe Simon Brown as his man of the match for his superb defence and brave diving on loose balls on several occasions. For those who have watched throughout the season this game was certainly up a level and could be the norm if the heights of National 2 are to be reached.
At the lunch beforehand both Presidents agreed that the dominance in the first quarter was vital and in this case it was Colchester who really attacked the Letchworth line in the opening minutes. Despite steadfast defence the line was eventually broken by the burly Colchester centre and from the next phase a long pass saw winger Parry over for a try. Although both touch judges kept their flags down for the kick, the referee correctly overruled them and awarded the conversion from Newman though this caused a bit of confusion on the scoreboard for twenty minutes.
Despite being under the cosh Letchworth were more than dangerous on the counter. When at last they got some possession both Tom Lewis and Llewelyn Jones made good carries. Max Trimble, who had his best game this season at full back, took the ball and his well balanced chip ahead saw Josh Parkhouse in a position to score until fouled by his opposite number, the result being a penalty try and a yellow card for the winger Parry.
However the visitors were soon back down at the Letchworth end and continuous driving saw another five pointer from lanky second row Friend who had a great game in the away side’s lineout. However having settled into the game the Letchworth pack were starting to dominate in the scrum and Josh Sharp slotted a penalty to make it a two point game.
Minutes later flying full back Trimble put speedy centre Charlie Parkhouse through for a converted try and the home side had their noses in front for the first time.
In the last ten of the first period Colchester hit back first from a good lineout drive which resulted in feisty hooker and Pollock lookalike Mc Cartney recapturing the lead. A forward pass cost them a further try before on the stroke of half time a soft try enabling a hack ahead and the Colchester flanker Sykes surprisingly out running the Letchworth defence made it 17-26 at the break.
There was grim determination on the faces of the Legends skipper and his team as they emerged for the second half. They were not going to let this game go without a proper tussle! The opening salvo was headed by prop Conor Turner who was nearly over the line from a lineout. A further penalty was awarded and scrum half Tom Aviss took it quickly in Gibson Park fashion and Tom Lewis dived over for Sharp to kick the extras and make it a two point game again. Things went further in Legends’ direction when from the restart flanker Luke Mongston was taken out in the air by winger Parry who was already on one yellow card and so saw red.
However the leaders did not buckle and from a penalty to the corner they stretched the Letchworth defence to score in the opposite corner through Bodkin with a fine conversion by Newman taking the game to 24-33.
Despite only fourteen men Colchester continued their dominance until a bad injury to one of their players led to uncontested scrums which was a blow for the home side.
Another penalty to the corner meant another score could be on the cards… and it was, but for Legends as their exciting backs ran the length of the field.
Kwaku broke out and the ball was taken on through Charlie Parkhouse and Chris Gibbs and Max Trimble fastened on to the final pass to go over as the crowd went wild.
However just as it looked as if Letchworth could turn this round two yellow cards in five minutes to Brown and Kwaku and another Colchester score by Mc Cartney put the game to bed at 31-40.
However it was not quite over as another weighted chip ahead saw Josh Parkhouse and a Colchester defender flying after the ball as it landed in the dead ball area. Neither had noticed brother Charlie fly in from the centre to bag the try and ensure a second bonus point for the home side. But now it was too late for a restart and they had to give best to a quality side who proved worthy winners. A week’s rest before the next game away to Southend who themselves seem to have problems as they postponed their match against North Walsham on Saturday. Despite a strong team the 1924s were beaten by twelve points away to St Albans on Saturday.
Team: Robinson, Hughes T, Turner, Walker, Jones (vc), Mongston, Fitts, Lewis, Kwaku, Brown, Parkhouse C, Parkhouse J, Trimble, Mc Gown, Green, Gibbs, BB
