Colchester had to dig hard for this bonus point win that ended Letchworth Garden City’s undefeated home record, a feat even more remarkable as Colchester were a player down for most of this top of the table thriller.

Letchworth started the day third in the league, proudly defending their unbeaten home record achieved by playing expansive fifteen a-side rugby, passing out of tackles to build attacking momentum whilst maintaining a strong defence.

After absorbing early pressure as Colchester lock Shane Nayalo and flanker Danny Whitman made breaks, Letchworth intercepted and a series of attacking phases ended with lock Dell crashing over for the host’s opening try, fullback Kieran Davies adding a penalty soon after as Colchester were penalised for offside.

Colchester responded, wing Dave Brennan’s kick rolling out of play before centre Matt Smith was able to ground the ball for a try. Scrumhalf Matt Wadling pinched Letchworth scrum ball, prop James Mitchell and No. 8 James McRae driving forward, centre Calum Irvine bursting through the middle to set up prop Joe McMillan’s try. Flyhalf David Higgins mastered the greasy surface to add the conversion.

Colchester began to win control of the game, a foot in touch ruling out a score for wing James Crozier. Then in the 28th minute the visitors suffered a setback as Nayalo was shown a red card by the referee for a punch - the player insisting it was a shoulder collision.

Nonplussed, Colchester retreated before a series of Letchworth forward drives ending with scrumhalf Charlie Parkhouse squeezing over for a try.

Colchester skipper Irvine rallied his forwards to raise their game against the Letchworth eight – and the seven responded magnificently. Props Mitchell and McMillan hooker Charlie Thorogood pressured their opponents at the scrums, brothers Ollie and Liam Pickett, McRae and Whiteman tackled and carried repeatedly. Under pressure, Letchworth conceded a free kick for a crooked feed. Colchester tapped and ran, Higgins closing to the line before centre Matt Smith powered over for a try to take the halftime score to 13-12.

From the restart Colchester took the game to Letchworth, forcing a series of penalties culminating in a yellow card for a Letchworth lock. Overeager and poorly executed attacks confounded Colchester possession and position, and restored to fifteen Letchworth raised the siege by kicking to touch in the Colchester half.

Having failed to score from five metres, Colchester bravely attacked again from sixty. Fullback Brett Cutbush’s quick throw found Higgins whose twenty metre pass switched play, Crozier racing into the Letchworth half and linking with McRae in exchanging passes to outwit their opponents for Crozier to dive in the corner for a try for the lead 13-17.

Letchworth came back, a Colchester kick charged down and hacked back for centre Simon Hrbeck to chase and score a try for the 18-17 lead.

Undaunted, the Colchester 14 worked their way upfield, replacement prop Jay Hatcher barrelling over the line but the ball was held up. Colchester’s magnificent seven won the resulting scrum, McRae carrying three defenders over the line as he scored the fourth bonus point try.

Letchworth mounted a last gasp surge that took them to the Colchester line but the final whistle ended this nerve-jangling contest, the Colchester team celebrating their 18-22 victory to stay top of the league.