With Colchester’s first team having a well-deserved break this weekend, the spotlight falls on The Ravens as they continue their league campaign with a long trip to north Norfolk.

The 2s play West Norfolk in Kings Lynn on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) fresh from clinching their first win of the season last weekend.

After three tough defeats, The Ravens 40-29 victory over high-flying Stowmarket – during which they outscored their opponents from Suffolk by six tries to five – was a real confidence booster, according to head coach Charlie Shepherd.

“The performance was outstanding,” said Charlie. “The boys really clicked for the full 80 minutes, and it demonstrated exactly what we’re capable of, even against one of the top three sides in the league.”

The result took The Ravens to ninth place in Counties 1 Eastern Counties, level on points with West Norfolk, who lost 54-17 at Ipswich in their last match but who are unbeaten at home.

“West Norfolk are always a strong team at home. But last weekend’s win has given the group real belief and shown everyone involved that we can compete with the best in the league.

“The challenge now is to build on that performance and carry the same standards and intensity into this weekend.”

Shepherd admits it’s been a slow start to the season, despite some good rugby being played at times.

“Now that we’ve got our first win on the board, the aim is to build momentum, keep improving as a group and turn those performances into more wins as the season progresses.”

There is a double bill of action at Raven Park on Saturday, as the 3s and 4s entertain Ipswich 2s and 3s respectively,

The in-form Colchester As have won three of their four matches in Eastern Counties Division 1 South and come into Saturday’s match off the back of an astonishing 94-0 win at Stowmarket 2s.

Ipswich 2s narrowly beat Mistley 2s 25-23 last weekend and go into the match in eight place in the league.

The Cavaliers – seventh in Division 2 South – were due to play the league’s bottom club Ipswich 3s away, but the match has been switched to Raven Park. Both the 3s and 4s matches kick-off at 3pm.

After a gruelling run of seven matches in National 2 East, it’s a rest weekend for Colchester’s first team and a chance to recover and regroup. Their next match is away to Old Albanians on Saturday week (October 31st).