Colchester got off to a sparkling start in the spring sun but were unable to maintain momentum against a strong and determined Hertford side in a contest that entertained more than five hundred spectators at Mill Road. Hertford were motivated by recent off-field events which could now see them competing for a promotion play-off place at the end of the season.

Colchester’s backs threatened from the off, in-form wing James Crozier racing in two well crafted tries before the more experienced visitors played their way back into the game. Flyhalf Higgins made breaks and kicked strongly, centres Matt Smith and Calum Irvine and fullback Damien Brambley tackled and ran all game. Skipper Liam Pickett led by example, brother Ollie and Danny Whiteman working tirelessly in the back row.

Hertford started slowly but called upon their experience to play their way back into the game. Flankers Christopher Joannou and David Archer were prominent in pick and go carries, skipper Michael Sargent at scrumhalf linking forwards with their strong running backs as Hertford passed out of tackles to build continuity in attacks that tested the Colchester defence.

An early penalty for a high tackle was turned into three easy points by Hertford fullback Stuart Smart. Colchester responded quickly. Hertford punted the restart kick back upfield, Colchester outside half David Higgins running the ball back before bringing James Crozier into play, the Colchester winger’s quick feet and change of pace bamboozled defenders for his try, Higgins touchline conversion blown wide.

Higgins returned the restart with a booming kick over the Hertford defence, the chase forcing a kick to touch. Skipper Liam Pickett leapt to win the lineout, scrumhalf Matt Wadling speeding the ball along his backs where fullback Damien Brambley joined the line and released a well timed inside pass to Crozier whose speedy diagonal run cut through the Hertford line for his second try.

Hertford rallied, putting phases of play together by passing out of tackles. Overturning a Colchester lineout and scrum in quick succession, Hertford worked their way upfield, Hooker Brett Mcnamee breaking before quickly recycled ball created an overlap for wing Ben Creasey to run in a try, Smart converting.

Camped on their line for the final five minutes of the half, the Colchester defence resisted waves of Hertford attacks until skipper Sargent darted to squeeze through for an unconverted try on halftime.

Eager to retake the lead at the start of the second half, Colchester took the game to Hertford but a knock on enabled a counter attack to close to the line where the ball was held up. From the scrum, Wadling robbed possession for Higgins and Brambley to break upfield until a dangerous tackle on Calum Irvine led to a yellow card for Hertford’s Archer. Colchester attacked but the from a kick close to the Hertford line Creasey picked up from a melee of players before sprinting near the length of the field to score under the posts, Smart adding the conversion.

Hertford forced another handling error and the ball was again held up on the line, pressure at the resulting scrums ending with a penalty try for the visitors. With minutes remaining, Colchester lock Ben Kelland was sin binned for loss of temper and Hertford used their extra man to score a final try by replacement Matthew Bendin to seal the bonus point win.