A freakish series of injuries, including three players forced off with concussion, overshadowed another valiant Colchester effort, albeit in a losing cause.

The Blacks lost 38-12 to a well-drilled Old Albanians. By the end the visitors’ technical area resembled a scene from one of Holby City’s more outlandish episodes.

Jonah Varela’s injury was by some margin the most worrying. The winger was taken off the pitch on a stretcher after lengthy treatment. Varela was later allowed home after a CT scan.

Ahead of kick-off Colchester’s casualty list was already lengthy, with two players recruited in the week, scrumhalf Jimmy Thompson and prop Ollie Marsters, drafted straight into the match squad.

“There are some good players who are going to be out for a few weeks,” said head coach Mike Haywood afterwards. “It’s going to be a hard one to deal with.”

Old Albanians were 14-0 up inside 10 minutes, presaging a tough afternoon for the visitors. But Colchester responded well, Thompson’s 50/22 setting up an attacking platform.

From the line-out, Jacob Bodkin fed player-of-the-match Will Blakemore who stormed over. Gabe Jones converted to make it 14-7.

Vili Tabuatamata became the first Colchester concussion victims as the lock was replaced by Haydn Sykes. The visitors failed to clear an OA’s attack and centre Greg Lound jinked though to score.

Shortly before the break, Marsters replaced Lewis Jeffery for what turned out to be an impressive debut for the 22-year-old prop.

The third quarter was all Colchester, but not for the first time this season they couldn’t turn pressure into points.

To compound their problems, Jones was helped off with an ankle injury, Ed Parry going to flyhalf as all the replacements saw action. With their first attack of the second half OAs scored their bonus point try.

Then came the sickening injury to Varela. There was no foul play involved, and after the long stoppage Haydn Sykes found himself on the wing. From the restart, OA’s forwards rumbled over for a further try.

Patient work led to Leroy O’Neil crossing in the corner for Colchester’s second try, but virtually from the restart Charlie Fleckney scored his second and OA’s sixth.

In the closing minutes, O’Neil became the third Colchester player to suffer a concussion, the prop leaving the pitch with blood streaming from his nose.

Regarding missed opportunities, Haywood was clear after the game.
“We talk about the fundamentals of our game. Every time we get into the 22 we’ve got to be clinical and that will give us the opportunity to score.”

On the challenge of the lengthening injury list, the coach is confident there are players at the club who can step up, but further recruitment looks certain in the coming days.

As for the three debutants, including wing Louis Martin who signed for the club at the start of the season but has only just become available to play, Haywood was full of praise.
“They did unbelievably well and I’m looking forward to what they can bring in the future.”

Neighbours Bury are next up for Colchester at Raven Park on Saturday (3pm).

The Ravens fought back from 22-7 down at half-time to Southwold to earn two bonus points in a 32-26 defeat.

The 3s won 31-46 at Halstead but the 4s lost heavily to Ipswich YM.