Fielding a team with six summer recruits making their league debuts, Colchester can be forgiven for the odd miss-step along the way, but the 35-13 win was a highly satisfying way to launch their campaign.

“A really positive start for this group,” was head coach Mike Haywood’s verdict.

It is not a given that teams relegated from the National Leagues adjust well to life in level five – just ask Essex neighbours Rochford and Westcliff, both of whom slipped two divisions in succession after demotion from level four.

But Colchester look comfortable in their new surroundings. Indeed, they look better prepared this term that they did 12 months ago for life in the higher division.

On a sunny, blustery day in Cambridgeshire, Colchester shot out of the blocks with a try inside three minutes by hooker Fin McCartney, touching down from a line-out drive.
Centre Chris Dudman, another new recruit, impressed all match with his physicality and kicking from hand and tee, added the conversion.

Shelford dominated early on in the scrum, but that was pretty much the limit of their cutting edge.

Colchester made life difficult for themselves with the concession of too many penalties and a couple of yellow cards. But resolute defence restricted the hosts to just two first half penalty goals.

The visitors, meanwhile, ran in two more well-taken tries. First Will Blakemore bust through from a perfect line-out, then Sean Bundy benefitted from a quick tap to go over, both tries converted by Dudman to put them 21-6 up at the break.

Playing with the wind, Shelford failed to make territorial advantage count despite being camped in the Colchester half for virtually the first 15 minutes of the second half. To the hosts’ frustration, Colchester suddenly broke free to score.

Blakemore burst explosively from halfway and though he initially looked to be on his own, there was Bundy on his shoulder, taking the pass to blast over for the bonus point.

With replacement Alex Gerard in the bin in a clear case of mistaken identity, Shelford scored their sole try through wing Harvey Taylor.

But Colchester quickly re-established control with the try of the match, forwards and backs combining beautifully to send Dudman over. He converted to make it a 100 per cent afternoon from the tee.

Colchester could have had an unlikely sixth when lock Haydn Sykes received the ball in unfamiliar territory on the left wing, his run to the line only thwarted by a last-gasp tackle.

“There were a lot of big performances, especially in defence,” said Haywood. “Attacking wise when we got opportunities we put points on the scoreboard. Really pleasing all round.”

Player-of-the-match could have gone to any number of players, but it was Fin McCartney who took the award from president Kieran Payne.

Colchester play their first home game of the season against newly promoted Medway on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

On a great day for Colchester teams, the Ravens got their league campaign under way with a solid 57-27 win over Shelford 2s. The 3s had a 41-5 friendly win over Maldon 2s but the 4s lost 22-3 to Ipswich 3s.