Colchester entertained South Essex rivals Westcliff on a damp Mill Road pitch and played an expansive game to record a magnificent win, scoring 8 tries to the visitors' one thus securing their eighth place in the league and narrowing the gap on the teams above.

The Blacks' coaches had selected a strong side including coach Lee Soper at lock and winger Jaid Wiltshire replacing the injured Owen Herbert, all ably led by captain Liam Pickett.

Westcliff started well and soon put pressure on Colchester but the Blacks' defence held firm. For twenty minutes the two sides battled it out before the impasse was broken when Colchester moved into the visitors' half where Westcliff won a scrum. Scrum half Harry Branch spun the ball to his fly half whose kick was charged down by Colchester's No 8 Danny Whiteman, who then grounded the ball for a good opportunist try.

Before long Colchester were back in Westcliff's half with fly half David Higgins kicking to the corner. Skipper Pickett caught the lineout ball, passed to prop James Mitchell who rumbled over for the second try which Higgins converted. Colchester's forwards were starting to dominate the scrums, forcing Westcliff backwards. One such scrum enabled Whiteman to pick up and feed Higgins who drilled the ball through the defence for left winger James Crozier to score in the right corner.

Before long Colchester were back in the visitor's territory and Higgins narrowly missed a drop goal attempt. Crozier claimed his second and the fourth bonus point try shortly afterwards following good work by centre Irvine. With time running out in the first half, Westcliff rallied after this onslaught and , winning their lineout, moved the ball right for replacement Rory Lane to score out wide bringing the half time score to 24-5.

Colchester really cut loose in the second half with the hard working forwards supplying the quick backs with quality ball with capable scrum half Brett Cutbush providing the link. After ten minutes of sustained pressure the Blacks won a scrum on the opponents 22 line and the ever-present Crozier picked up and fed fullback Damien Brambley to score.

The coaches decided to rest Whiteman who was replaced in the back row by Joe Flexman just before prop Jerone Awesu received a yellow card for an infringement. Although down to 14 men Colchester's dominance continued and soon straight running by centres Irvine and Matt Smith was rewarded when Brambley claimed his second try bringing the score to 36-5.

Awesu returned to the fray and hooker Alfie Walsh came off the bench so the home side were full strength again. There followed two moments of brilliant skill by centre Irvine to score the last two tries. Firstly he dribbled between the Westcliff centres to score under the posts, then when play resumed he chipped over his opponents, caught the ball and raced in for another fine try to seal an excellent win as referee Matt Shales brought proceedings to a halt.