2024 was unquestionably an extraordinary year for Colchester senior men’s rugby, and as the club enters its centenary year it’s time to take stock of the past 12 months.

There was unprecedented success on the pitch, with both the 1st and 2nd teams gaining promotion. And while playing at a higher level has proved quite a challenge, there are grounds for optimism as 2025 dawns.

Winding the clock back to the first weekend of January, Colchester went into the second half of the season top of Regional 1 South East having lost just two matches.
Letchworth were the visitors to Raven Park that day, and the match turned into a thriller. Trailing by 12 points on the hour, a late try by Jonah Varela and touchline conversion by Jayden Boshoff secured a 38-36 win.

From then on, Colchester were flying. Comfortable bonus point wins followed in the next five matches, and by the time the Blacks visited Essex neighbours Rochford promotion looked a certainty. Colchester scored 10 tries in a 66-7 away win, by any measures a statement result.

The team travelled to Oundle next, knowing victory would secure promotion, and duly came away with a 27-12 win to spark celebrations on and off the pitch.

The priority was then to remain unbeaten for the rest of the season. Tring were brushed aside at home, but Colchester had to dig deep to win the final game at Hertford, Boshoff converting a score by the season’s top try-scorer Francois Rossouw to clinch a 35-34 win.

The end of the season saw farewells to several stalwarts, not least James Mitchell who had captained the side throughout this season of success with great calmness and authority.

More contentious were the departures of Jimmy Mpailane and Jayden Boshoff, the South African pair who had played such an important part in the team’s promotion.

The RFU’s unfathomable regulations prevented overseas players in National League rugby, but Colchester’s loss is others’ gain. Jimmy is now enjoying success as player/coach at Eton Manor while Jayden is playing in Ireland.

The need to strengthen the squad ahead of life in the fourth level of English rugby saw a summer of recruitment.

So to a sunny September Saturday and Colchester’s National 2 East debut away to Canterbury. The match proved quite an eye-opener as the hosts prevailed 53-13.

In the following weeks, Colchester started to find their feet and accumulated bonus points, but a first win proved allusive. Following a 38-25 home defeat to Dorking, the club parted company with coach Craig Burrows after what was described as “a difficult start to the season.”

Colchester travelled to Westcombe Park with Mike Haywood now in charge and came agonisingly close to a win.

Returning to Kent the following week, the breakthrough finally arrived. A late try and conversion by Gabe Jones secured a 28-23 win at Sevenoaks, and Colchester were off the bottom of the table.

The year ended with more encouraging performances and, crucially, bonus points, including a 31-31 home draw with Havant, demonstrating that there is plenty to relish in the second half of the season.

The first team’s success should not over-shadow the achievement of the Ravens under head coach Charlie Shepherd. The 2s gained promotion to Counties 1 Eastern Counties in fine style, their home record turning Raven Park into a fortress.

Like the first team, the Ravens have found life tough in the higher league, but four wins so far this season sees them sit comfortably amongst a group of teams in the lower/middle part of the league.

Honourable mention should also go to the As, as Colchester’s third team lifted the Suffolk Silver Cup with a 10-try demolition of Ipswich YMs.

Can 2025 match the dramas of 2024? Let’s hope so!