Colchester returned from the Channel Islands with two bonus points from their 43-36 defeat to Jersey, but it was a match they could, and possibly even should, have won.

Jersey, bottom of National 2 East going into the match, outscored their visitors by seven tries to six to record their first win of the season, and in the process provide great entertainment for the big crowd.

Colchester head coach Mike Haywood was left to rue “basic mistakes” which proved costly against a team desperate to get their season going, as a handful of promising attacking moves sadly came to nothing.

“It’s disappointing from my point of view,” reflected Haywood. “But look - we’ve scored six tries away from home, picked up two points, and that’s awesome. We’ve just got to make sure we get our basics right and stick to our game.”

Amongst the team changes for Colchester was a first appearance at full-back for new signing Jack Lavin, formerly of Esher and Caldy, while Archie Kean made a welcome return from injury off the bench.

On a sunny and warm afternoon, the first ever league meeting between the clubs saw Jersey draw first blood, as they stole a Colchester line-out allowing their scrum half to go over for a converted try.

Colchester then appeared to take control with three well-taken tries. First, a long, looping pass found Ethan Cole who crossed in the left corner, and seven minutes later the wing had his second on the opposite side.

Jersey failed to deal with a teasing kick towards their own line, allowing the quick-thinking Cole to sneak in between defenders to score.

From a five-metre scrum, Jonah Varela looped round to notch Colchester’s third try; two conversions by Benjy Mills putting the visitors 19-7 ahead after half an hour.

But a series of penalties cost Colchester dear, as Jersey hit back with two tries to level things at 19 points apiece at the break.

Discipline was again an issue in the second half, as Colchester were marched back 10 metres for mouthing off, and from the resulting penalty and line-out, Jersey’s player-coach Guy Thompson dived over for their bonus point try.

Colchester were getting most joy when spreading play wide, and on 52 minutes patient recycling saw the ball come to Varela who had an overlap to cross in the corner to level the score again.

However, Jersey soon opened up a 12-point cushion with two further tries, including a second for Thompson. But when they lost their hooker to the sin bin, a line-out drive from the resulting penalty saw Fin McCartney touch down.

The hosts wrapped up victory with a seventh try, only for Varela to complete his hat-trick with a long-range effort minutes from the end of a seesaw match. It was more than just consolation for Colchester as it secured an all-important second bonus point.

The result leaves Colchester eighth in the league, ahead of Saturday’s home match against sixth placed Henley (3pm).

While disappointed at the ultimate outcome, Haywood was keen to look ahead with optimism.

“We’ve got loads to look at in the week and get it right for our next game. We’ll get back on the horse and go again against Henley.”

The Ravens earned a hard-fought bonus point in their 42-33 defeat at Holt, the As won 67-40 at home to Felixstowe and the Cavaliers lost 60-34 to Felixstowe 2s.