The first team travel to Tonbridge Juddians following last weekend’s opening hit-out against Oundle. The match, kicking off at 3pm, will be a more conventional affair with a smaller squad than last week playing a match of two 40 minute halves.

As a curtain-raiser, The Ravens will play Tonbridge’s Under-23 side on the same pitch in a 30-minutes-per-half match, kicking off at 2pm.

This will also be something of a warm-up for Colchester supporters and their DART charge accounts, as the new league season will take us “across the bridge” on four occasions next campaign with matches against Canterbury, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Westcome Park to come.

Before that, Tonbridge will be our first home league opponents in Nat 2, at Raven Park on September 14th.

The 3s and 4s are also in pre-season action this weekend, both matches taking place on the artificial grass pitch at Raven Park. The 4s will play Colchester Kings are 2pm, followed by the 3s playing a team from the Royal Medical Corps at 3.30.

So, if you are travelling to Kent or enjoying the double-header at the Sportspark, this is a great opportunity to cheer on the lads before the serious business gets underway on September 7th.