RUGBY: Colchester Rugby Club’s head coach is not even contemplating the prospect of defeat as his team face a game that could go a long way to deciding their London League division one north title hopes this year.

Leaders Thurrock travel to play the second-placed Mill Road side tomorrow and Tim Grimsey is expecting his players to rise to the challenge on their home turf.

Defeats by Rochford and Letchworth in recent games have left Colchester trailing their south Essex rivals by 12 points and a loss tomorrow would leave their title hopes looking distant.

However, a victory could start tipping the balance back in their favour and that’s what Grimsey is focusing his players’ minds on.

He said: “The title is certainly still there to be won – especially if we win this game.

“Don’t even think about if we don’t win.

“We will do all we have to so the boys are ready when they cross the white line.

“I’m not contemplating defeat.

“What type of coach would I be if I did that?

“I’m the world’s worst loser so it’s not even crossing my mind.

“All we can do is win seven games as that’s in our hands and whatever else happens, happens.

“If we win all seven, it will mean Thurrock will have lost at least one and I believe that once a team loses a game, it can knock their confidence.

“If they lose one, the seeds of doubt will be in their minds and it’s up to us to plant them there this weekend.”

Grimsey is hoping that a partisan home crowd will be at Mill Road to cheer Colchester on and feels there is no better value than his team for those looking to get a sporting fix this weekend.

He added: “The pitch at Mill Road gives us an advantage as Rodders (groundsman Rod Chatters) produces a wonderful surface to play the type of rugby we want to on."

Colchester squad: James Crozier, Jon Vine, Callum Irvine, Chris Withers, Dave Philp, Damien Brambley, Brett Cutbush, James Mitchell, Charlie Thorogood, Joe McMillan, Liam Pickett, Elliott Castle, Carl Jeffs, Dan Whiteman, Ollie Pickett, Rhys Hartley, Kieran Payne, Lewis Groves.

For the report of thhis key game see next week's THURROCK GAZETTE