Colchester staged one of what is fast becoming their trademark comebacks to complete a stirring 26-17 victory over Henley Hawks at Raven Park.

Knocked back on their heels by two tries to go 12-0 down inside nine minutes, the Blacks proceeded to score 26 unanswered points to secure yet another try bonus point in a win which lifts them to seventh in National 2 East.

Colchester have now won as many games in the first six weeks of the season as they did in the whole of their last campaign in this league, and in the process have scored 31 tries in six games.

On a breezy day at the Sports Park, Louis Martin made his first start of the season on the wing, while there were returns for Archie Kean at centre and Francois Rossouw at tighthead.

Henley made a blistering start, their impressive fullback Tom Molhoek crossing twice inside 10 minutes, and for a period Colchester scarcely got out of their own half.

But from a breakdown penalty and patient recycling, Danny Whiteman, who had a typically all-action game, ran in for a try, converted by Benjy Mills.

The rest of the first half was something of an arm-wrestle, Henley’s staunch defence keeping Colchester at bay as the hosts enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and territory.

Three promising chances went begging due to knock-ons and forward passes, while the stiff wind played havoc with the line-out.

Trailing 12-7 at half-time, Colchester then put their foot on the gas to dominate proceedings with some of their best rugby of the season.

Jack Daly’s offload saw Findlay Gilmour cross for a try three minutes into the second half, Mills’s conversion putting Colchester ahead for the first time.

Henley had their chances, Ted Reid’s well-timed tackle preventing a near-certain try by their left wing, but the hosts had their tails up.

From a penalty, Kean made a terrific break through the middle, and Reid did the rest. Mills added the extras to put Colchester 21-12 up.

Mills then turned creator with a break down the middle, the ball going down the line and Martin doing well to squeeze over in the right corner for the bonus point try.

Sadly, Martin left the field with an ankle injury, to be replaced by Harry Bureau, but Colchester were not to be denied, despite a late try by Henley centre Ashton Phillips.

Head coach Mike Haywood, who opted to watch the game from the clubhouse balcony instead of at pitchside, was delighted with the bounce back from defeat in Jersey but is keen to address his team’s tendency to start matches slowly.

“We’ve spoken about being clinical at the start, and we definitely weren’t that. It’s something we need to look at. But the way the guys showed composure to end up with five points is really pleasing.

“We’ve still got plenty to work on. If we get our detail right, we’re going to be putting loads of teams under pressure in this league.”

Sponsors Stabalised Pavements awarded their player of the match to Danny Whiteman, while the coaches’ award, courtesy of The Lexden Crown, went to Hudson de Lucchi who had another quietly outstanding game.

Next up for Colchester is an away trip to bottom-of-the-league Leicester Lions (Saturday 2pm).

The Ravens lost 31-24 to Cantabs, securing two losing bonus points, while the As went down 14-12 at Harwich and Dovercourt.