by STEVE WHITEMAN

WIMBLEDON 62

COLCHESTER 7

National League Three

A POOR start proved costly for Colchester as they tumbled to a heavy defeat at high-flying Wimbledon in a one-sided contest.

The Blacks went into the game buoyed by their recent first victory of the season.

But were comprehensively defeated by ten tries to one, after conceding three tries in the first ten minutes and chasing the game.

Wimbledon used their superior weight and speed to outclass a lacklustre Colchester side who, under this sustained pressure, made too many basic errors to ever look like putting up a serious challenge.

Wimbledon got off to a dream start when their right wing intercepted Colchester’s backs first move to race in for a try with barely a minute on the clock.

This score was quickly followed by two more by their Number Eight and their fly-half, who converted both.

Stunned into action, Colchester pressed towards the hosts' line with the boot of fly-half David Higgins gaining them a lineout five metres out.

Hooker Tom Jepson linked well with jumper Liam Pickett and the ball was moved along the backs for Brett Cutbush to score by the posts, with Higgins converting.

But if the visiting supporters thought that this score heralded a revival, they were to be deeply disappointed.

Wimbledon raised their game another notch and scored three more tries before the interval bringing the half-time score to 40-7.

Charlie Thorogood replaced hooker Jepson and scrum-half Cutbush swapped places with fullback Joel Stewart which improved things for Colchester at the start of the second half.

But, before long, the hosts won a lineout close to the Blacks line, executed a well-rehearsed catch and drive move to score again.

Colchester were matching Wimbledon in the scrums but were having a torrid time in the lineouts.

Lock Elliott Castle and centre Jona Crisp were sent on for Ollie White and Matt Barnes and this change seemed to stem the tide for the next 15 minutes.

Colchester’s back row of Danny Whiteman, Ethan Hughes and Ollie Pickett had to work very hard to stop the advancing Wimbledon players, with Pickett unluckily forced off with a leg injury and replaced by White.

With play stretching across the pitch from right to left, Wimbledon's left wing finished off a slick passing move to score in the corner.

The hosts' fly-half missed the conversion and two minutes later missed converting another try, this time scored by the right wing.

However, with time running out and the score at 55-7, Colchester were understandably getting frustrated.

Wing James Crozier receiving a yellow card for comments to the referee and hooker Thorogood got one for a retaliatory punch.

The fight seemed to go out of the visitors' in the final minutes of the game.

Colchester conceded yet another catch and drive score to end this disappointing performance.

They will know that they have to raise their game and regroup before this Saturday’s home match against Guildford.