Colchester travelled to Hertfordshire to play new opponents Harpenden in what was expected to be a tight contest and so it proved. Off the back of two narrow victories versus Shelford and Sudbury, Colchester desperately needed another victory to consolidate their position near the top of the table.

In an exciting game played in hot sunshine on an artificial pitch, the Blacks made an excellent start with a try from Charlie Thorogood, but the hosts came back at them and lead at the interval. Only by a huge team effort did the Blacks eventually seal victory by scoring twice late in the second half.

The high point of the game from the visitors' point of view was in that last quarter when the Blacks raised their game despite trailing Harpenden 11-7 and successive tries by vice-captain and scrum-half Brett Cutbush and then skipper and flanker Danny Whiteman clinched the victory. Man-of-the-Match full-back James Crozier converted both tries so the Blacks won 11-19.

This was quite an achievement as this week the Blacks had no less than seven newcomers to the squad all of whom performed well. Fly-half David Higgins, in particular, made a big impact with his quick sorties and long-range kicking, often putting Harpenden on the back foot.

Young twins Calum and Louis Jeffrey both propped well in the scrums and wing Sean Bundy caught the eye with his elusive running and quick pace. These three players are products of St. Joseph's College in Ipswich and are a welcome addition to the squad.

The more experienced starters - centre Ben Murphy, lock Liam Pickett and wing Harry Barton- more than matched their opposite numbers in this very physical contest whilst off the bench front-rower Rhys Hartley, flanker Freddie Skovly and wing Dave Brennan all did well when they joined the fray.

The Colchester forwards had mixed fortunes in the set pieces. The scrums were very solid dominating the opposition pack at times but too many penalties were given away in the scrums, mauls and rucks. It was a bad afternoon for lineouts which were below the standard that supporters have come to expect only improving right at the end of the game.

As for the backs, they gained confidence as the game progressed. At first, the Harpenden left wing was often getting through the defence resulting in him scoring the hosts' only try 15 minutes into the game. But after that setback, the Black backs tightened their defence and for the rest of the half, the hosts could only manage to get two penalties.

This victory moves Colchester up the table to third position with only North Walsham and Southend above them at this early stage in the season. The boys will be disappointed that they didn't get a bonus point fourth try but were pleased they denied Harpenden a losing bonus point and are unbeaten so far this season. Next up they play Amersham and Chiltern next Saturday at 3 pm at their Mill Road ground.

Steve Whiteman