But despite an obdurate defensive effort by the hosts, Colchester were not to be denied even if the final score of a thunderous match did not flatter Walsham.

“That was a Nat 2 standard game,” said experienced scrum half Jack Daly afterwards, while head coach Mike Haywood described it as “brutal”.

Though the match was far from one-sided, the opening stanzas on a fine and calm afternoon were dominated by Colchester, the visitors racing into a 14-0 lead thanks to two tries from live-wire wing Ethan Cole.

From a penalty on 10 minutes, Gabe Jones looped round on the left and Cole stepped beautifully to run in through a gap, then another penalty led to the wing’s second after good work by Louis Martin and Ted Reid in the build-up.

Colchester could have had a third try at the end of the first quarter, only for Walsham’s defence to hold firm, but on the half hour the hosts finally broke into Colchester’s red zone, an unconverted try in the corner making it 5-14.

Colchester continued to attack, and despite initially being held up over the line, a subsequent break by Martin led to Connor O’Reilly weaving over to make it 5-21 at the interval.

The second half started with Colchester again on the attack, but it was a messed-up Walsham line-out which led to the bonus point try. Fin McCartney capitalised, and from the resulting penalty Reid broke through for try number four.

On the hour, quick thinking by Daly saw the number nine scurry over to make it 5-35. But by now the penalty count against Colchester was mounting.

Will Blakemore duly went to the sin bin for a “team yellow” and in his absence Walsham crossed for their second try.

With the hosts then also reduced to 14 men, replacement Danny Whiteman continued his remarkable scoring sequence as he crossed from typically close range for his eighth try in six matches.

Francois Rossouw and Joe Pattinson also saw action from the bench in the second half.

Jones converted five of the tries, with the sixth kicked by Cole, whose all-round performance earned him the player-of-the-match award.

“Credit to Walsham,” said Haywood. “At the start of that game it was brutal. There’re going to be some sore bodies in the morning.

“We just stick at it; we don’t give up. We have that “dog” about us. A team might go one try up but – guess what? – we’re going to score three. The boys are just sticking to the plan, doing it relentlessly.

“The team is in a great place, and we’ve got loads of guys pushing for slots. It’s just exciting what this team can do.”

Colchester now have another weekend off before what should be a monumental home match against Letchworth, who are just three points behind Colchester in second place in the league.

There was less success for Colchester’s other men’s sides. The Ravens lost 43-24 to league-leaders Bury 2s, the As were defeated 50-7 at Hadleigh while Harwich and Dovercourt beat the Cavaliers 44-29.