The curtain comes down on Colchester’s rugby season this weekend with a bumper double-header at Raven Park as the First team play their final Nat 2 league match and the 3s aim for cup final glory.

Then on Sunday it’s the turn of the youngsters, with the Colts cup final and the club’s Under-15 rugby festival.

The First team wrap up their season just as they started it back in September, with a match against Canterbury (kick-off 3pm).

That sunny day in Kent proved something of a baptism of fire to life in level four, as Canterbury ran out 53-13 winners.

It’s to Colchester’s great credit that they have remained competitive in matches since then, but sadly relegation from the National Leagues was confirmed with two matches to play.

Canterbury will finish the season in a very respectable fourth place in Nat 2 East, and will no doubt be pushing for promotion next season.

For Colchester, preparations for the new season are already underway. As for Saturday, the team is keen to give their loyal supporters something to cheer.

“The support has been absolutely great all season,” said interim head coach Mike Haywood. “It’s tricky to get behind a team that’s been struggling.

“What I would ask for is that they stick behind us because things are going to change.
There’s an exciting future ahead. I’m just looking forward to where this club can go.”

Ahead of the first team match on Saturday – and certainly more than a mere curtain-raiser – is Colchester As’ biggest match of the season as they play Sudbury 2s in the final of the Suffolk Silver Cup (kick-off 12.15pm).

The 3s won this trophy last season, and will be desperate to keep hold of it, especially against their local rivals Sudbury.

The Suffolk side will prove stiff opposition as they have already wrapped up Eastern Counties Greene King Division One South with a perfect record of 16 wins from 16 matches, while Colchester 3s finished third.

The combination of a final game of the season for the Firsts and a local derby cup final means a big crowd is assured at Raven Park on Saturday, but the action doesn’t quite stop there.

On Sunday the Colts play their opposite numbers from Shelford in the final of the Eastern Counties Colts Cup Final on the AGP at Raven Park (kick-off 12.30pm).

Meanwhile, the club’s Under 15 festival takes place all day from 10.30am with 16 sides from across Essex and the Eastern Counties involved.

So make sure you get your final rugby fix of the season this weekend and cheer on your Colchester teams!