After a hesitant start, Colchester found their form and ended up almost running in tries at will.

Colchester scored seven tries to the hosts’ one to earn a bonus point in a clean and entertaining game played on Old Haberdashers’ soft Borehamwood pitch, under dry and sunny conditions.

After an even 20 minutes, the stalemate was broken when, from a lineout, hooker Tom Jepsom’s throw was tapped back by lock Graeme Hay. The ball quickly moved to full-back and skipper James Crozier coming into the line. He passed to flanker Dan Whiteman who fed Irvine to scoot through the defence for a fine converted try.

The hosts came back strongly and their centre evaded the defence to score an unconverted try bringing the score to 5-7.

The Blacks responded and good work again by Irvine was finished off by Whiteman for a try that Crozier converted.

After the break, Colchester started to run rampant and centre Damien Brambley scored the first of his two tries. Crozier’s kick was unsuccessful.

Whiteman then scored another unconverted try, before John Dav and then Brambley, who added his second try, brought the score to 34-5.

The Blacks left their best try until last when Hay ran 40 metres before passing to Crozier, who scored a fine try under the posts which he converted.