Unbeaten Colchester travelled to Hertfordshire to play 2nd placed Letchworth in Regional 1 South East league. This vital top of the table match was a giant clash, as both teams are aiming to win the league to gain automatic promotion to National 2.

Colchester have only to play Sudbury and Shelford at home and Amersham away to complete their season.

The Blacks’ squad was virtually unchanged from the previous match but, as fly half Gabe Jones cried off ill, young Henry Newman turned up at short notice to take his place. He had a terrific game giving a tremendous kicking display during the match, as well as converting 5 of the visitors’ 6 tries earning him the Man of the Match award after this close victory.

Colchester started the game well and winger Ed Parry scored right near the start. 15 minutes later the hosts earned a penalty try when Parry received a yellow card for an infringement. 5-7 and the game entered a real purple patch with both teams fighting for the lead.

After only 15 minutes the Blacks had their second score when forward Ben Kelland touched down

Host fly half Josh Sharp kicked a penalty then Letchworth’s right wing ran the length of the pitch to score a converted try, putting them in the lead 17-12.

After 20 minutes good work by flanker Haydn Sykes, he got the ball to his fellow flanker, Cam Kerr the skipper, who touched down in the corner for the Blacks to regain the lead 17-19. Later Sykes himself touched down a kick ahead making the half time score in the visitors favour 17-26.

Only one substitute was used in the first half when prop Alex Pybus replaced Francois Rossouw due to a shoulder injury.

Both teams came out after the break firing on all cylinders and this fascinating contest continued. After 10 minutes of intense competition the hosts earned a penalty for a high tackle. Sharp duly converted over the posts closing the score to 24-26.

Later Parry had to leave the pitch after what was deemed by the referee to be a high tackle on the home ball catcher. Sensing the chance of a victory Letchworth attacked Colchester’s red zone but the Blacks repelled them with high motivation and good work in the set pieces.

Then with 20 minutes of the match remaining Colchester broke from defence, ran the length of the pitch, for winger Jacob Bodkin to cross the line in the corner. Newman’s conversion from the touch line was amazing much to the delight of the Black’s supporters.

A couple more injuries on both sides reduced the teams to 13 a side for a while.

Prop Lewis Jeffrey was hurt and replaced by Danny Whiteman.

Letchworth gained 2 more yellow cards for dangerous tackling.

Close to the end of the match Martin scored a try; a just reward for his endeavours.

The home side were still not lying down and, following a grubber kick, they touched down for the final score of this exciting match 36-40.