By David Haigh

A 53-13 victory gave Canterbury an ideal start to the new National 2 East league season as they crushed league newcomers Colchester with a blast of seven tries.

The city side's forwards quickly took control and 13 points in the first 20 minutes, through Cameron Macmillan's catch-and- drive try and a conversion and two Frank Reynolds penalty goals, set the pattern.

A Corey Button penalty goal put Colchester on the scoreboard but they were soon learning that life at a higher level will need serious adjustment.

Their failure to contain a vibrant Canterbury backs division cost them dearly as Aiden Moss and Garry Jones scored converted tries to push the lead out to 27-3 at half-time and the punishment was piled on early in the second half as two expertly-marshalled catch drives brought hooker Eoin O'Donoghue, who enjoyed an outstanding a game, a brace of tries.

Colchester's best spell came from their ability to read Canterbury errors and a couple of unwise passes were intercepted to give the visitors rare attacking territory. Tries from Mike Stanway and Leroy O'Neil brought them temporary relief, but in the last quarter it was business as usual for the hosts.

Frank Morgan sold a neat dummy to get his side's sixth try and and a brilliant individual effort from replacement scrum-half Tom Williams, which started in his own half, rounded off this impressive performance. Eighteen points from the boot of Reynolds, six conversions and two penalty goals, set last season's top league points scorer firmly on his way once again.

Canterbury visit Sevenoaks for an early-season derby on Saturday.

Canterbury: Young, Jones, Moss, Morgan, Campbell, Reynolds, Farrance, Macmillan, O'Donoghue, Herriott, Irvine, Stephens, Thomas, Furneaux, Oliver. Replacements: Morris, Frostick, Rogers, Williams. Heatherley