THE Mistley Marauders ran out 15-5 winners against Colchester’s fifth team, in Eastern Counties League division four south on Saturday.

Any match against Colchester is tough, given their size and resources, and in the reverse fixture Mistley had lost 18-13.

On a very windy afternoon at Mill Road, the Colchester squad was, as usual, made up of very experienced veterans, many who had played first-team rugby.

However, within the first few minutes, Mistley showed they were there to win the game with brilliant play in the scrum by 17-year-old Charlie Barrett and Sam Ackerman.

A penalty was missed and Lewis Symes was able to pick up the ball and run to score his first try for the club.

Stuart Baynes also harassed the larger Colchester pack, together with John Phillips at scrum-half.

With some controlled scrummage, the ball was passed out to Ed Barrie to score and increase the lead to 10-0.

Jack Tompkins, captain for the day in the absence of Gavin Richardson, due to sickness, was unable to convert due to the wind but kicked well at every possible opportunity.

Some superb running from the backs, in particular Dicky Johnson, allowed Mistley to take control but Colchester defended well.

James Ware and his brother, Anthony, tackled superbly and, just before half-time, Gary Booker, aided by Barrett and Simon Carter, was able to push the ball over the line to increase the lead to 15-0.

However, this was not going to be a pushover and Colchester came back in the second half, scoring quickly to reduce the deficit to 15-5.

Knock-ons were plentiful as the wind increased and Colchester’s pack applied more pressure.

However, Mistley held on, despite James Ware and Ackerman going off due to injury.

Two of Mistley’s 18-year-olds, Alastair Baggiony-Taylor and Chris Coogan, also showed immense promise in the backs.

Tompkins nearly scored but, at the final whistle, Mistley were victorious 15-5.

Symes and John Phillips were joint men-of-the-match and Dai Kenyon, the Mistley coach, was full of praise for the team and complimented everyone who played.

Tomorrow, it is the turn of the first team to face Colchester’s third team at Mill Road and the Marauders are at home to Ipswich YM’s third team.

Both kick-off at 2.30pm.