A large crowd stood to salute Geoff Fiddler with a minute's silence. A past president of Norfolk RFU and Crusaders who passed away 9th February, having suffered with MND for the last two years.

Crusaders kicked off against a Colchester XV who had enjoyed a victory in their last match against a strong Wymondham team. Their club's strength in depth soon became evident as the visitors blend of pace in the backs and experience in the forwards would stretch Crusaders for 80 minutes. Crusaders powerful forwards soon had the visitors under pressure when the play moved deep into their 22, they were forced to concede a penalty under the posts which Crusaders opted to scrum and drove Colchester over their line for Matt Atkins to touch down, the conversion was missed. Crusaders increased their lead with an identical 2nd try Robert Loone diving in to touch down, he converted his own try to give Crusaders a 12 - 0 lead.

Colchester were stung into action and for the rest of the half Crusaders back line was severely tested, their speedy winger reduced the lead with a well taken try from a quickly taken penalty half-time.

The second half started at a high tempo with the next score having increasing importance and it was Crusaders who increased their lead when good handling from the back row gave fly-half Ryan Harris who was enjoying an inspired game fielded his own chip over the visitors defence then received a return pass from Jamie Dack to touch down under the posts, Loone converted 19-5.

Back came Colchester to score another unconverted try out wide. Jamie Dack secured the bonus point with another unconverted try. In a game of big hits Colchester had a man sin-binned but still managed to keep the game alive with their 3rd try again created by their impressive back line. Peter Blinkhorn came off the bench and secured the win and double over the visitors with a strong run from the back of a scrum, full time 29 - 15.