London 1 North: Colchester 23 Diss 17

COLCHESTER worked hard for their third consecutive victory of the season, against a determined Diss team.

The home side started well, hooker Charlie Thorogood chased down James Crozier’s chip over the Diss defence and the visitors’ hasty defence was penalised. Crozier converted for three points.

The lead was quickly extended as Calum Irvine’s angled run disected the Diss defence for a try.

Diss replied with a series of forward drives into the Colchester half but could not make the breakthrough.

Colchester hit back and their pressure eventually told, Higgins sidestepping his way through the Diss defence to link with Jono Crisp for a try.

Diss’ best first-half effort was a chip and kick race, Crozier winning the touchdown chase by a fingertip before Beaird kicked a penalty to end the first half .

The second-half restart saw Colchester again pressing, offside at a ruck enabling Crozier to extend the lead.

Diss raised their game and two charged down kicks pinned Colchester near their line.

The Diss scrum drove the home pack back and No. 8 Richards touched down for a try, Beaird converting. Collapsing a maul resulted in a sin-binning for Colchester lock Ollie White and Diss used their man advantage to rumble forward to threaten the Colchester line before Beaird crashed over and converted to bring Diss to within three points.

Diss laid siege for a ten-minute spell before ill-discipline by flanker Mike Fuller led to his yellow card, joined by Ollie Pickett for retaliating.

A break by Colchester’s Damien Brambley ended with Diss conceding a penalty that Crozier converted.