Colchester opened a seven-point gap at the top of Regional 1 South East following an enthralling, hard fought victory over second placed Letchworth Garden City.

The 28-24 scoreline does not begin to tell the story of a thrillingly dramatic match. The visitors deservedly led 10-7 at the break, only for Colchester to run in three tries inside nine second half minutes.

Letchworth then hit back with two tries in the final quarter, and with Colchester reduced to 14 players, the hosts were relieved to hear the final whistle.

“Letchworth put us under real pressure, but the boys dug deep,” said head coach Mike Haywood.

Playing into the wind, Colchester scored first, Danny Whiteman taking the ball into Letchworth territory before Sean Bundy burst through from the 10-metre line to score his ninth try of the season.

Letchworth worked their way into the game, only staunch Colchester defence keeping them at bay.

A shot at goal ended with the ball toppling off the kicking tee, but Letchworth were soon level. A 50/22 kick and good hands saw impressive fly-half Josh Sharp dot down.

Injuries to Connor O’Reilly, Lewis Jeffery and Bundy inside a matter of minutes necessitated rapid reorganisation; a penalty kicked by Sharp scant reward for Letchworth’s dominance at this stage.

Letchworth led 10-7 at halftime, but the visitors were reduced to 14 players with a yellow card just before the break, and Colchester ruthlessly made their numerical advantage count.

Two minutes into the second half, and playing with the wind, a penalty kicked to the corner and scrum saw captain Cam Kerr cross, before good work by Leroy O’Neil created the chance for replacement Ted Reid to gallop through a huge gap for number three.

Jack Daly’s fine kick and some patient recycling from a scrum led to Reid’s second try for the bonus point, Gabe Jones’s fourth conversion putting Colchester 28-10 up and seemingly home and dry.

Not so. Letchworth were league runners-up last season for a reason, and on the hour they pulled a try back through centre Will Titherington, and with Reid in the bin for not rolling away, Josh Parkhouse’s converted try suddenly made it a four-point game.

Home hearts were in mouths as Letchworth broke down the right, only to be forced into touch. The relief as the referee blew time was palpable.

Colchester go seven points clear at the top of the league ahead of Saturday’s visit to neighbours Sudbury, always one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures in any season.

Haywood declined to describe this as a statement win.

“We’ve put ourselves in a good position at the top of the table. We’ve got to stick at our game and stay at the top level every single week.

“We know next week is going to be a challenge. It’s just about continuing to put our game on the pitch.”

Daly took the player-of-the-match award from sponsors James and Lindsay for yet another finely controlled game from scrumhalf, while the coaches’ award, sponsored by the Lexden Crown, went to Jacob Bodkin, terrific in defence and attack.

The Ravens enjoyed an outstanding 44-0 win at North Walsham 2s, while the As beat Bury 3s 29-5. The Cavaliers’ match was abandoned due to two serious injuries to their opponents.