Colchester entertained Surrey side Dorking on a pitch softened by the previous day’s rain but with a strong wind blowing from one end to the other. With the Pickett brothers unavailable and regular fly half David Higgins injured their places had to be filled by less experienced players. The replacements rose to the occasion particularly in the second half when Colchester were chasing the game and camped in the visitor’s half but could only manage one score which was not enough to bring them victory.

Colchester started well and were unlucky when James Crozier’s early penalty bounced off the post. They made amends within minutes when centre Tom Miller broke through the defence, offloaded to dynamo flanker Danny Whiteman in support who put hooker Rhys Hartley over for a converted try.

Back came Dorking who earned a scrum ten metres from the host’s line. Scrum half Zach Woodcock linked well with his No.10 and skipper Matt Noble who zipped over for a converted try in reply.

This score had the effect of galvanising the visitors and they proceeded to exert pressure on the Black’s defence but Adam Cook and Crozier managed to contain their opposite numbers with some great tackling. During the next ten minutes prop Joe Mcmillan made a welcome return off the bench and Colchester made several forays into Dorking territory particularly via stand-in skipper Brett Cutbush and winger Harry Barton.

Unfortunately the Blacks were giving away too many penalties and from one of these Dorking quickly moved the ball to left wing Joseph Mogaji who scored under the posts to give his side an interval lead of 7-14.

To provide fresh legs and more impetus Colchester’s coaches made some changes with Tom Jepson replacing hooker Hartley and Miles Davies on for Jerone Awesu. Consequently, the lineouts improved in the second half with Jepson linking well with man-of-the-match George Liversidge and No 8 Sam Easton.
But soon Dorking showed why they have played in the league above when they won a scrum on the halfway line and moved the ball through quick hands for fullback Ed Carne to score a fine try under the posts.

Not to be outdone Colchester attacked from the restart and gained a lineout close to Dorking’s line. Liversidge palmed the ball to scrum half Matt Wadling whose speculative grubber kick bounced up into his grateful arms for him to score a good opportunist converted try.

The score was closer at 14-21 but try as they may Colchester could not breach Dorking’s defence in the final stages of the game. Frustration led to uncharacteristic knock-ons and fumbles at crucial stages and when they did cross their opponents’ line at one point referee Richard Haughton adjudged that the ball was held up. The home crowd urged the boys in black on but, for the third game in succession, Colchester had to settle for a losing bonus point when the referee blew the final whistle.

Photos: Janus Van Helfteren