Colchester visited Amersham & Chiltern, who were one place below the Essex team at the bottom of the National 3 table, winning 28-20.

Weather conditions were sunny at first but soon deteriorated as did the standard of play, with both sides spilling balls and dropping passes in the wet. The scrums were even in the first half but the hosts’ tactic of wheeling the scrums after the interval eventually backfired to their cost.

The hosts kicked off and, before long, their nippy scrum half Mike McDonald kicked a penalty, the first of many to be awarded.

From the restart, Colchester pressed forward and skipper Brett Cutbush, at No 9, marshalled his backs and then looped with wing James Crozier who raced in for the first try which he converted. Indeed he was to convert all the Blacks’ tries.

Amersham & Chiltern came back at Colchester from the restart but the Blacks’ No 8, Danny Whiteman, crashed into an attacking player, the ball was stolen and moved to Crozier who ran the length of the pitch to score a fine try, bringing the score to 3-14.

But the league’s bottom side would not roll over and were soon back down the Blacks’ end, winning a lineout and driving forward to score a try converted by their full-back, Cam McDonald leaving the half time score at 10-14.

Minutes before, Colchester centre Brandon Fanolua was rather harshly yellow-carded for a high tackle.

Colchester brought on hooker Alfie Walsh for Alex Rayment and flanker Joe Flexman on to replace Joe Beckett.

From the restart, Amersham & Chiltern regained the lead when the same McDonald jinked through the defence to score again.

In their turn, the Blacks attacked their opponents and prop Jerone Awesu powered over for a good try putting the visitors back in the lead 17-21.

From yet another penalty the home fly half, Andy Fluker, bagged three points, but in the last quarter, Whiteman sealed the win with a bonus point fourth try.