In their defence, Colchester fielded an understrength team - not for the first time this season - thanks to a lengthy injury list and the unavailability of some senior players. By contrast Sudbury were virtually at full-strength.

“We knew it was going to be tough,” said Colchester first team manager Jon Smith. “They’re on a really rich vein of form and I think today our injuries and especially player availability this close to Christmas has caught up with us big time.

“You can’t go into what’s a fairly fervent local derby with six or seven players who are either unavailable or can’t make it, or have injuries, and it’s just caught up with us today.

“It’s very disappointing, and I feel sorry for the lads because at the end of the day they’re the ones who are going to have to carry the disappointment with them. As a former player I wouldn’t want to be playing today.”

There was little festive cheer for the large Colchester following who made the short journey over the Suffolk border. The pitch - though heavy - held up reasonably well given the amount of rain in the previous week.

It is several seasons since Colchester lost two league matches on the trot, and just as rare was their failure to score a try - Harvey Skinner’s second half penalty at least ensuring it wasn’t a shut-out.

Significantly all but one of Sudbury’s tries were scored wide out. It meant a tough kicking day for the otherwise impressive Josh Wadford, the fly-half who ran the show for Sudbury.

Wing Austin Beckett scored the first try after 12 minutes. Within seven minutes outside centre Charles Jackson had their second.

A late flourish just before half-time saw Colchester go close after Sean Bundy’s break but it was a rare incursion in the opposition half and the 15-0 interval score did not flatter the home side.

The second half brought no change of fortune, despite an early yellow card for Sudbury’s Jake Thurlow. Colchester were soon down to 14 too, with Richie Kaisia sent to the bin.

Sudbury’s third try was scored by hooker Sam Maile, lurking out on the wing, Fraser Beckett secured the bonus point in the 34th minute and Austin Beckett completed the scoring with his second try in added time.

The result mean Colchester drop to third in the league, one of four teams on 47 points.

Smith now just wants to look ahead to Colchester’s next match - at home to Harpenden on the first Saturday of the New Year.

“You’ve just got a draw a line under it and just say 2020 has got to be different.”