Colchester kept the pressure on London North East League One leaders Eton Manor after claiming a bonus point with a 28-10 win at Thurrock.

Anthony O’Riordan’s side lie two points off the top after a confident team display, against a side who were playing National League rugby last season. A heavy pitch favoured the larger home pack.

But the Colchester forwards’ competitiveness and superior fitness - along with their backs’ greater attacking threat - gave them the edge.

Hooker Alfie Walsh, flankers Harry Gozzet and George Liversedge performed well against an experienced and well-drilled pack. And Joe Flexman impressed after coming on to replace the injured Brett Cutbush.

The greasy ball caused initial problems for Colchester, who suffered from some knock-ons and poor passes.

But after absorbing early pressure, Colchester fly-half David Higgins’ long clearance led to a counter-attack that caught Thurrock offside. Higgins kicked to the corner, where Walsh’s long throw found Liam Pickett at the back of the lineout.

Scrum-half Gregor Irvine found centre Matt Smith. whose angled run and strength took him over for the first try.

Thurrock replied with a series of forward drives, with Tom Wunsfeld converting a penalty awarded for offside. But pressure on the Thurrock backs forced a hasty kick that went into touch on the full. Ollie Pickett’s lineout win was taken forward by centre James Green.

And when skipper Calum Irvine took up recycled ball, prop James Mitchell went over for Colchester’s second try. Another Thurrock error saw spilled ball hacked over the line by Calum Irvine, who came a close second to a Thurrock defender in the race to touchdown.

The resultant 22 restart was returned at speed by James Green who fed Smith before taking a return pass, shouldering a defender and diving in for a third try.

Higgins added his third conversion, for a 21-3 half-time lead. Thurrock were camped in the Colchester half after the break and a lineout catch and drive try was rumbled over, with the conversion reducing the deficit.

But James Crozier attacked on the left wing, with some recycled ball kicked cross-field for Irvine to leap and touchdown – the score ruled out as touch in goal.

Pressed into defence, Thurrock errors enabled Colchester number eight James McRae to seize spilled ball.

Joe Flexman passed inside for Smith to race for his second and Colchester’s fourth bonus point try, which Higgins converted.

Irvine almost added another try before the end but by then, victory was already assured.