Colchester scored eight tries to secure a hat-trick of wins, in a thrilling victory over Wimbledon.

Attacking from the kick-off, Colchester centre Calum Irvine breached the Wimbledon defence to set wing Owen Herbert racing in for the first try.

From the restart, Colchester’s Mitchell brothers, James and Alex, led the pack, rumbling forward in a 20-metre drive, pressing Wimbledon into conceding a penalty that fly-half David Higgins’ converted.

Keeping the ball in hand, Wimbledon moved upfield for a well-taken team try, finished by flanker Mark Scott. Full-back Neil Hallett converted.

Higgins hoofed the restart back to the Wimbledon line and the Colchester forwards disrupted Wimbledon possession until skipper Liam Pickett pounced on loose ball for a try.

Hallett converted a Wimbledon penalty before a hasty Colchester clearance kick was charged down and Josh Charles crossed to put the visitors into the lead 15-13.

Colchester restarted and flanker Ben Murphy was driven to the Wimbledon line before scrum-half Brett Cutbush spun the ball wide for James Crozier to race in a try, his conversion rebounding off an upright.

Murphy’s own try soon followed as his pack drove him over the Wimbledon line, Crozier adding the conversion.

Pressing from the restart, Colchester flanker Olly Pickett’s tough tackle dislodged the ball which was seized by Charlie Thorogood. He linked with Lee Soper and flanker Joe Flexman to drive upfield. Retreating Wimbledon players’ were penalised for offside and punished by Crozier’s kick.

Wimbledon retaliated, pressing Colchester into conceding penalties and position before centre Noah Jarvis touched down, Hallett converting.

Then, Colchester’s pressure forced Wimbledon into a clearance kick which centre Matt Smith charged down and gathered to score a try to extend the Colchester lead.

Smith then released Damien Brambley to run in a try before Herbert added his second, racing onto Crozier’s deft chip kick.

Wimbledon rallied again, Colchester conceding penalties and ground. The hard working Hallett caught a cross-field kick, a try he converted, before lock Campbell Tait’s touchdown.

Colchester had the last laugh with Brambley’s second try, the winger exchanging passes with Herbert for the final score.