Colchester ground out a victory away to Gravesend in their last game of the season, any hopes Gravesend nursed of repeating their opening day win on Shakespeare’s birthday proving much ado about nothing.

The result would not affect the fates of either team, Colchester assured of National League rugby next season whilst Gravesend were already relegated. Yet Gravesend’s players wanted to go down with a bang rather than a whimper and played to win, tackling and running with a commitment and passion that earned cheers of home supporters.

Colchester players stepped up at key moments, doing just enough to edge the win. Flyhalf David Higgins’ big kicks turned defence into attack; Matt Smith tackled hard and ripped ball; scrumhalf Brett Cutbush kept the pack moving with tireless back row of Danny Whiteman, Ben Murphy and Joe Flexman showing in defence and attack before releasing the dangerous back line with Irvine, Crozier and Brambley menacing.

The game threatened to become a comedy of errors as referee Tom Ferridge brandished two yellow cards in the opening five minutes, sin binning first Calum Irvine quickly followed by fellow centre Matt Smith for what the referee alone adjudged a dangerous tackle.

Despite a two man advantage, Gravesend chose a penalty kick rather than a scrum near the Colchester line in a “to be or not to be” moment revealing a lack of confidence, fullback Stephen McNamara kicking the home team into an early lead.

Colchester defended until back to full strength then built a series of attacks, Irvine and wing James Crozier closing to the Gravesend line. Hooker Alfie Walsh and flanker Ben Murphy made hard yards linking with wing Damien Brambley who sent lock Robert Heath in for a try with his first touch of the ball since coming off the bench for the injured Ben Kelland, Higgins adding the touchline conversion.

Gravesend’s forwards led a rally, winning maul turnovers to create an overlap try for winger Rhys Betts and a lineout catch and drive try for the pack to take a deserved halftime lead of 15:07.

Coach Anthony O’Riordan refocused his Colchester team who restarted on the front foot. Skipper Liam Pickett led his pack to now turnover Gravesend ball, Irvine’s chip seized by Crozier before a pop-pass to fullback Tom Miller who in turn returned the ball to Irvine to cross for a well taken try, Higgins converting. Offering unasked for advice to the referee then cost Colchester a penalty, McNamara converting for the 18:14 lead.

Gravesend pressed to extend their lead, but Higgins robbed the ball in a tackle to start a counterattack with Murphy tearing upfield, Crozier linking with Matt Smith who powered his way over for a try near the posts, Higgins adding the conversion for the 18:21 lead.

In control for the final quarter, Colchester pressure forced Gravesend to concede a penalty that Higgins turned into three points to extend the lead. Frustration earned Gravesend flyhalf Gary Grey and flanker Geoff Marshall yellow cards. Conversely confidence saw prop James Mitchell race up the wing to unsuccessfully chase a kick to the corner, Whiteman improvising a bicycle kick as Colchester sealed the win to prove all’s well that ends well.