COLCHESTER had to dig hard for this bonus point 22-18 win that ended Letchworth Garden City’s undefeated home record.

It was a feat even more remarkable as Colchester were a player down for most of this London League division one north top-of-the-table thriller.

Letchworth started the day third in the league, proudly defending their unbeaten home record achieved by playing expansive rugby, passing out of tackles to build attacking momentum while maintaining a strong defence.

After absorbing early pressure as Colchester lock Shane Nayalo and flanker Danny Whitman made breaks, Letchworth intercepted and a series of attacking phases ended with lock Dell crashing over for the hosts’ opening try.

Full-back Kieran Davies added a penalty soon after as Colchester were penalised for offside.

Colchester attempted to hit back but winger Dave Brennan’s kick rolled out of play before centre Matt Smith was able to ground the ball for a try.

But the visitors did cross the line when scrum-half Matt Wadling pinched Letchworth scrum ball, prop James Mitchell and number eight James McRae drove forward and centre Calum Irvine then burst through the middle to set up prop Joe McMillan for a try.

Fly-half David Higgins mastered the greasy surface to add the conversion.

Colchester began to win control of the game but a foot in touch ruled out a score for wing James Crozier.

Then in the 28th minute the visitors suffered a setback as Nayalo was shown a red card by the referee for a punch – the player insisting it was a shoulder collision.

Colchester retreated before a series of Letchworth forward drives ending with scrum-half Charlie Parkhouse squeezing over for a try.

Colchester skipper Irvine rallied his forwards to raise their game against the Letchworth eight – and the seven responded magnificently.

Props Mitchell and McMillan and hooker Charlie Thorogood pressured their opponents at the scrums, brothers Ollie and Liam Pickett, McRae and Whiteman tackled and carried repeatedly.

Under pressure, Letchworth conceded a free-kick for a crooked feed.

Colchester tapped and ran with Higgins closing to the line before centre Matt Smith powered over for a try to take the half-time score to 13-12.

From the restart, Colchester took the game to Letchworth, forcing a series of penalties culminating in a yellow card for a Letchworth lock.

Over-eager and poorly-executed attacks confounded Colchester possession and position, and restored to 15 Letchworth raised the siege by kicking to touch in the Colchester half.

Having failed to score from five metres, Colchester bravely attacked again from 60.

Full-back Brett Cutbush’s quick throw found Higgins whose 20-metre pass switched play.

Crozier raced into the Letchworth half and linked with McRae in exchanging passes to outwit their opponents for Crozier to dive in the corner for a try to lead 17-13.

Letchworth, however, came back.

A Colchester kick was charged down and hacked back for centre Simon Hrbeck to chase and score a try for an 18-17 lead.

Undaunted, the Colchester 14 worked their way upfield, replacement prop Jay Hatcher barrelled over the line but the ball was held up.

Colchester’s magnificent seven won the resulting scrum, McRae carried three defenders over the line as he scored the fourth bonus point try.

Letchworth mounted a last-gasp surge that took them to the Colchester line but the final whistle ended this nerve-jangling contest.