Colchester make the short trip to Sudbury this weekend for a much-anticipated resumption of the two clubs’ cross-border rivalry after a 12-month hiatus.

The Blacks will be trying to keep their nine-match winning run going, a sequence which has taken them seven points clear at the top of Regional 1 South East.

Sudbury are fifth in the league, but they have turned their Whittome Field ground into a veritable fortress, with all five of their wins this season coming at home, including an eye-catching 73-28 win over Hertford.

The teams come into Saturday’s clash (kick-off 3pm) off the back of contrasting results. Colchester were 28-24 winners at home to high-flying Letchworth, while Sudbury came away from Westcliff with a 28-15 defeat.

It goes without saying that matches between the neighbours are always fiercely contested, with plenty of connections on and off the pitch both in terms of players and supporters, which always makes matches between the sides something a bit special.

The last time the teams met was in Colchester’s promotion season when Sudbury were one of only two sides to inflict a defeat on The Blacks, winning 16-7 in the final match of 2023.

“Sudbury is always going to be a clash,” said head coach Mike Haywood, with a certain amount of under-statement. “A lot of it’s about emotion. It’s a local derby and I think the boys are going to be revved up for that.

“From my point of view, it’s just trying to get our game on the pitch. We just want to play our game relentlessly. We know if we do that at the weekend we’ll perform.”

Sudbury have warned that, due to ground conditions, car parking will be at a premium and are urging supporters to car share.

If you don’t fancy a trip across the county boundary, there’s plenty of action at Raven Park this weekend, with the 2s, 4s and Ruins in home action.

The Ravens will be keen to build on their terrific 44-0 win at North Walsham last weekend as they entertain Ely (kick-off 3pm).

The victory in Norfolk took the Ravens to fifth place in Counties 1 Eastern Counties, while Ely are currently second bottom of the league, still looking for their first win.

The Cavaliers are back in action against Thurston 2s (kick-off 2pm) after their match at Bury
last weekend was sadly abandoned due to serious injuries to two Bury players.

Meanwhile, the As are on the road as they play Woodbridge 2s (kick-off 2pm). The in-form 3s are second in their league having won four of their five matches.

Last but not least, the Roman Ruins have a home friendly against the Kings at Raven Park (kick-off 2pm).