Sunday, saw women's rugby return again to Mill Road, and a game not thwarted by the weather like a week before, although a last-minute downpour when warming up did make the pitch softer, which was probably a good thing as a prelude to some intensive rugby.

The earlier kick-off than has been the norm was favoured so that the England game could be watched post-match by both teams. Both teams were affected by a couple of last-minute player dropouts, but both teams really were keen to play. With reduced numbers, the game was reduced to 70 minutes and 13 v 13.

Haverhill were the more experienced of the two teams but still very much undergoing development, much as the Iceni themselves. Both teams took to the field in good spirits and very much keen to play right from the start. Colchester found themselves under a strong attack from Haverhill from the start but had a very robust defence and for several minutes play was in the Colchester half with attacks rebuked from inside the Colchester twenty-two, and Colchester pushing Haverhill back to the ten-metre line. Determined pressure by Haverhill saw them close within 5m of scoring, and several scrums had been fiercely contested up to this point. A Haverhill scrum five metres from Colchester's line was overturned by a fierce defence that saw Colchester push Haverhill back up to just outside their ten-metre line. Play centred around this area for a while with a few stoppages from knock-ons, and also one or two players on both sides taking knocks and treatment. However, halfway through the half Colchester found a way through Haverhill's line and it was Zoe Goate who was able to score the first try of the game for the Iceni's under the posts. However kicking into a strong wind meant that the conversion was missed so it was Colchester 5 - 0 Haverhill.

With the wind behind Haverhill on the restart, Haverhill were immediately inside the Colchester twenty-two, with both teams rucking and counter rucking aggressively, but eventually, Haverhill's efforts were rewarded with a try, although the conversion was missed, so it was Colchester 5 - 5 Haverhill, showing this was going to be a hard-fought game. It seemed that in this half Colchester were slightly better and it was from one such foray that the ball was turned over and taken forward and towards the wing to Colchester's Natasha Sampson, who despite some efforts to tackle her was able to slip Haverhill's defence and score her first try for the club and Colchester's second try in the game at the end of the half. With the wind making a conversion attempt from very wide unsuccessful, at half time it was Colchester 10 - 5 Haverhill.

For the second half, the wind was behind Colchester for the kick-off which saw the ball firmly in the Haverhill twenty-two, followed up quickly by the Icenis. Some good work and defence by Haverhill slowed up the Iceni attack until eventually, the ball found it's way to the wing and Colchester's Trudi Ryder who was able to make her way over the line and score her maiden Iceni try. An awkward position to take the conversion from saw the conversion missed. The score Colchester 15 - 5 Haverhill.

Both sides were picking up injuries and it was halfway into the second half that with injuries mounting that un-contested scrums were called after a Haverhill player had to come off. When play restarted there was the continued play by both sides that was evident for much of the game, but this time Haverhill were able to get over the whitewash and score their second try, but again kicking into the wind meant that the conversion was unsuccessful. Colchester 15 - 10 Haverhill.

Play resumed again in much the same vein as for the previous 60 minutes of play, but it was Natasha Sampson who again with the ball in hand found her way through the Haverhill line and a determined run to the line to score her second try of the game. It was now Colchester 20 - 10 Haverhill, and with the conversion missed Colchester had slightly more control of the game going into the last few minutes of play. Both teams were still playing hard with tired legs and bodies, but sadly it was the last play of the game that saw Colchester's Zoe Goate pick up a concussion injury that saw her stretchered off the pitch.

So at the final whistle, Colchester Iceni had won yet another game, but one that was hard-fought, against a Haverhill side who by no means were a pushover, with both sides making the game entertaining for the spectators, and with all players gaining valuable experience.