Colchester took more than the bragging rights in this local derby win over Southend, scoring five tries to earn an extra bonus point and confidence boost with their second win of the season. Colchester players and a vocal crowd of 500 plus were keen to see their amateur community club defeat the semi-professional Southend team who were playing rugby in National League Two last season.

Colchester also exorcised memories of their loss 18:16 in the away fixture earlier in the season, where ill discipline from some Southend players and supporters cost suspensions and a probable points reduction.

Referee Ben Wilde and his Assistant Referees kept a tight rein on the fierce competitive spirit shown by both teams, with Yellow cards playing a significant part.

Playing with pride and team spirit, Colchester forwards and backs combined to pressure the visitors with fast paced running rugby, skipper Liam Pickett inspiring with a man of the match display of running and tackling.

Southend started strongly, pinning Colchester into defence where two offside penalties were converted into six points by flyhalf Brad Burr.

The men in black played their way into the game, forwards and backs combining to push Southend back to their line where prop Joe McMillan charged over for a try.

Retreating as Colchester pressed, Southend conceded a series of penalties culminating in a yellow card for skipper Marcus Bloomberg for repeated offences. Colchester exploited their numerical advantage to score fourteen points before his return.

Wing James Crozier burst a tackle to link with supporting flanker Rob Pickard who raced down the left wing for a try. Hooker Charlie Thorogood’s speed to breakdowns won a penalty which was kicked to within five metres of the Southend line. Pickett soared to win the lineout, prop Jerone Awesu bulldozing through tackles to close to the line, No. 8 Danny Whiteman following up to dive over for a try. Crozier kicked both conversions for the 19:06 halftime lead.

Southend flanker and former Colchester player Ben Murphy was sin binned early in the second half, but Colchester misfired and could not take advantage. Colchester veteran lock Eliott Castle was yellow carded for an unavoidable momentum collision contact judged potentially dangerous. Southend used their man advantage in the pack as scrum failures earned the visitors a penalty try and easy kick for Burr.

The score shocked Colchester into revival. After Eli’s return the pack drove upfield, a scrum win and quick distribution from livewire scrumhalf Brett Cuttbush enabling flyhalf Matt Barnes to cut through a gap and link with centre Te Albert who raced in the fourth, bonus point try.

Passing out of tackles, Colchester surged upfield, the forwards dragging Southend’s defenders to the left before right wing Damien Brambley’s angled run at speed raced in another try. Crozier kicked both conversions for the 31:13 lead with less than five minutes remaining.

An offside tackle earned Danny Whiteman a yellow card before Southend’s consolation overlap try by wing George Griffiths ended the game.