There was an avian feel to this mid-table clash with the peacocks of Shelford hosting the ravens from Colchester. The visitors were weren’t favourites having lost earlier in the season but ended up ruffling the home team’s feathers in a pulsating fixture.

It couldn’t have started better for Colchester when their kick off was knocked on. The ensuing scrum saw quick hands and a slick inside pass from wing Owen Herbert to allow centre Callum Irvine to glide over in just the second minute.

Shelford hadn’t touched the ball yet but started to get into their stride. Their game plan remained based on a strong scrummage and playing off a big No 8 and fly half but Colchester’s tackling was resolute. Line outs went well for Colchester against golden-plumed opponents but pressure eventually told when their No 8 Richie McIver picked up from 5 meters to crash over to even the scores after 12 minutes.

The rest of the half was a similar story but the Colchester centres of Irvine and Smith were indomitable and the back row were everywhere with newcomer Sam Easton having a bruising debut alongside veterans Joe Flexman and Dan Whiteman. But it was scrum half Brett Cutbush who put in as many tackles inevitably on players a lot bigger than him that critically prevented penetration around the fringes.

Colchester’s scrum appeared to suffer a blow when second row Ben Kelland had to leave but George Liversidge stepped up to the mark and had a great game. Somewhat against the run of play Colchester broke down right wing where a cunning chip and chase saw James Crozier score in the corner. Higgins missed the tough conversion but Colchester had a welcome 5-10 lead at the interval.

The second half saw Colchester use the prevailing wind and mighty boot of Dave Higgins to good effect. Having lost their playmaking fly half Dwayne Lese to injury, Shelford seemed to run out of both steam and ideas and were camped in their own 22 for most of the third quarter. The pressure told and their by now predictable ‘pop pass out of tackle’ routine saw an interception and try from Matt Smith. Higgins converted to give Colchester a 5-17 lead.

Shelford tried a kicking game too but full back Tom Miller fielded everything and had possibly his best game this season. It got even better when fast ball to the left wing saw Crozier repeat his chip and chase skills to score wide left. Higgins missed the difficult conversion but made amends with a towering penalty ten minutes later to give Colchester an apparently unassailable twenty point lead at 5-25.

But Shelford didn’t give up and it was a surprise win against the head for Colchester that allowed them to get back on the score sheet in the 50th minute. Immense work all game by the Mitchell boys and Alfie Walsh in the front row saw the ball pop out the Colchester side but Whiteman was unable to gather and his opponent James Kellard picked up to score a soft try. Higgins replied with another penalty to take the scores to 10-28 but the game was far from over.

The inspirational Cutbush departed with concussion to be replaced by Jaid Wiltshire and as the Colchester pack started to tire against much larger opponents and the home team drove over from close range for two quick tries. With the score at 22-28 it was a nail biting last ten minutes but heroic tackling from all players plus inspirational and very vocal leadership from Liam Pickett ensured it was Colchester who came home to roost.