Gladiators lose home opener

Report supplied by Colchester Gladiators
Images courtesy of John Singer

The Colchester Gladiators struggled in their season opener against the newly promoted Kent Exiles, as turnovers and poor field position cost the team dear.

The Gladiators' first drive of the day summed up the match as QB Curtis Bourke threw the first of five interceptions after driving to the Kent 14. Although tackling the interceptor on the one, an early opportunity had been wasted.

Chris Jackson powers through the Kent defense

The Exiles' offence however started fast and a couple of good runs took them into Gladiator territory. The running back should have been tackled in the back field but a couple of missed tackles enabled him to escape to the sideline, and he took off to the end zone, securing the Exiles' first points of the day. The two point pass attempt failed but Kent led 6-0.

Bourke threw his second interception which was returned to the Colchester two, but a penalty negated an apparent score before good defence held the opposing offence out for a turnover on downs.

The Gladiators gifted Kent another golden opportunity when a poor snap on a punt was downed on their own 13 and it took the Exiles just three plays to make up for their previous failure. A five yard touchdown pass was converted by a pass play for two more points to extend the lead to 14-0.

Another interception gave the Exiles good field position again but a great effort from Brendan Bignell forced a punt from which the Gladiators got back in the game.

A run dominated drive saw Chris Jackson pick up a couple of first downs before Casey Campbell scorched through the defence for a 38 yard score. A replayed two point pass failed but confidence was returning to the Gladiators, now just 6-14 down.

Alex Wright intercepts the Kent QB in his Senior debut

Neither team could move the ball for the remainder of the half as both sides turned the ball over twice, with the Gladiators throwing another pick and a fumble but Kent returning the favour as junior graduate Alex Wright, playing in his first senior game, picked off the Kent QB on consecutive drives to keep the half time score 14-6.

After the Gladiators had to punt the ball to start the second half, Bignell got the ball back for his team with an interception and the offence took the ball to the Kent 17. However a penalty pushed them back and they were forced to punt.

Brendan Bignell tackles a Kent running back

As the Colchester offence struggled, the defence was gaining turnovers of their own with first Joe Parsons recovering a fumble before Joe Stickings intercepted another Kent pass on his own one. But the quarter remained scoreless to set up what promised to be a tense finish.

Another Gladiators fumble was punished as the Exiles started a drive just 23 yards out. It took them just three plays to make the Gladiators pay as their American QB found a receiver in the end zone from 17 yards out to give them breathing space. The extra point was missed but the lead was now 20-6.

After another Colchester interception, Kent effectively sealed the game. Taking over on the Gladiators' 38, the running back broke through the defence on the first play, and raced through for the score. Bignell was the man again to block the extra point but the score was now 26-6.

With the Gladiators turning to the struggling passing game, Kent looked safe but Jim Gilchrist picked off a Kent pass to offer hope. However, four incompletions gave the ball back to the Exiles and they padded the score with another rushing touchdown, from 19 yards out.

Andrew Cairns runs the ball with assistance from Tom Burridge

The Gladiators continued to struggle to find receivers and didn't really threaten again to leave Kent running out winners by a comfortable looking score line of 32-6.

Head Coach Karl Bourke was disappointed with the execution of the plays and said: “Despite a solid pre-season, our timing was way off today, but I know we can play much better. Our defence made some nice plays but when you turn the ball over seven times and give a good team excellent field position, you're digging yourself a big hole. We have a few weeks to our next game so we will look at the film and practice, practice, practice, and ensure we put up a better showing than today.”

The Gladiators started out in similar fashion last year, losing heavily in their first game, throwing four interceptions and opened the season 0-2 before recovering to a solid 7-3 record, so this defeat does not mean the team will struggle this year. The absence of a pre-season game clearly hurt them again but they need to eliminate turnovers and work on the passing game if they want to turn the season around like they did 12 months ago.

With a four week gap between games before the long trip to Solent, there is plenty of time to put things right.

All Gladiators home games will be played at Colchester Rugby Club, Mill Road, Colchester, kick off 2.30pm.

Full details can be found through the Gladiators’ website at www.colchestergladiators.com