Colchester Rugby Club fans were left disappointed when, despite the gallant efforts of their team, the Blacks lost to league leaders Rochford by four tries and a penalty to their one try and a penalty.

The large crowd at Mill Road arrived in great anticipation for this top-of-the-table clash and were treated to 80 minutes of fast-flowing rugby but, try as they may, Colchester couldn't match the superior skills of the semi-professional visitors who have ambitions to play well up in the National leagues.

The only changes in the home side were that Rob Heath, an army player, was drafted into the second row alongside skipper Liam Pickett and Harry Barton replaced injured Dave Brennan on the right wing.

Colchester kicked off into a strong wind and Rochford came back immediately with strong running by their talented outside centre. Their forwards then pressed towards the hosts' line and their scrum half scooted over for an unconverted try.

There followed 20 minutes of intense running rugby with each team trying to gain superiority over their opponents. The scrums were evenly contested with Colchester having a slight edge whereas Rochford had the upper hand in the line outs. In the backs both sides defended well with strong tackling as the play moved up and down the pitch.

Shortly before half time Colchester's No 8 Brock Price was yellow carded for an infringement and Colchester were reduced to 14 men. Rochford won the next lineout and their blindside flanker steamed over to score their second try which their fly half converted putting them 12 points ahead.

After half time Price returned to the fray heralding Colchester's best period of play.

With the wind now in his favour fly half David Higgins used his long kicking to put pressure on the visitors. After one such kick the ball bounced into touch five metres from the visitors' line and scrum half Matt Wadling linked well with Higgins who fed hooker Charlie Thorogood who dived over between the posts for a good converted try.

7-12 and suddenly the Blacks had their tails up. Later the two teams were contesting a maul in the middle of the pitch when Man-of-the-Match flanker Danny Whiteman burst out of the mass of bodies and sped towards the Rochford line only to be denied a score by the excellent cover tackle of the Rochford full back. However Colchester were awarded a penalty which Higgins duly converted bringing the score close at 10-12.

Brett Cutbush came off the bench to replace Wadling joining Harrison Pickett on the field who had earlier replace the injured Heath. Rochford raised their game in the final quarter mvoing the ball quickly to the left for their No 6 to claim his second try in the corner. Colchester reorganised the back line-up moving centre Joe Flexman to the wing just before Rochford successfully kicked a penalty. The visitors had the final word when their right wing sped over for a converted try giving them a bonus point win.