MORE rugby will be played in Colchester as funding to pay for a new £70,000 set of floodlights has nearly been secured.

The Essex Environment Trust announced it had agreed to support the bid by Colchester Rugby Club to build a second set of lights at its Mill Road venue with a pledge of £14,627.

Only the main pitch is floodlit at present, meaning it is subject to wear and tear if it is overused.

It is estimated 80 per cent of the use of the new lights will be by under-18s sides.

Club chairman John Powell hoped the floodlights would be working for the new season.