Colchester’s players can be relied upon to battle right to the end of the season, but the unavoidable fact is their chances of retaining their Nat 2 East status are hanging by a thread.

The team require victory in their penultimate home match of the season on Saturday to keep their hopes alive, but even then, matters are not in their own hands as they need results elsewhere to go their way.

Colchester go into the match against Guernsey 12 points adrift of safety with three matches to play. There is a mathematical scenario under which they could afford to draw one of their remaining games, but realistically three wins are the minimum requirement.

That’s because whatever Colchester do, Havant need just win from their remaining three games – starting away to Dorking this weekend – to send The Blacks down. To add to the mix, Havant play host to Colchester on Saturday week.

Colchester have suffered a freakish run of injuries recently and it was to their immense credit that a side shorn of several first team regulars clinched a bonus point for scoring four tries in a losing cause at Worthing in their last outing.

And the team will certainly be going all-out to follow up their magnificent 38-36 win over Guernsey in the Channel Islands in February to make it a first home-and-away double of the season.

The players and coaches have been grateful for the unwavering support they have been getting during their first season in level four. After this weekend there is just one chance for home fans to cheer on the team, as Colchester conclude their league programme against Canterbury at Raven Park on April 26th.

Saturday’s match kicks off at the earlier than usual time of 1.30pm so that Guernsey can get to the airport and fly home on Saturday evening.

The Ravens play their final league match of what has been a creditable first season in Counties 1 Eastern Counties as they travel to second-placed Newmarket (kick-off 3pm) aiming to replicate what was one their best results of the season – the 26-20 win over the Suffolk side at Raven Park in September.

The 3s have the weekend off, but their season is far from over as they are gearing up for their Suffolk Cup semi-final against Halstead the following week.

The 4s play their final league match, with Aldeburgh the visitors to Raven Park (kick-off 3pm) and The Ruins have a Friday night friendly at home to Witham Stags (7.30pm).

So with spring very much with us, and the weather set fair, let’s get behind the lads this weekend.