COLCHESTER Rugby Club ended the year on a losing note after a 32-6 defeat at home to Shelford, in their National League division three contest at Mill Road.

After conceding a try, James Crozier scored from two penalties to give the hosts a 6-5 advantage.

However, the visitors were in the ascendancy by half-time after adding their second try and a conversion.

And they built on it after the break, scoring more tries to run out clear winners.

The defeat was Colchester's fifth in a row and it means they have lost of their 14 matches so far, with the only exception being a 29-15 success against Amersham and Chiltern on November 5.

The Mill Road side now have a chance to regroup and recharge their batteries over the Christmas break.

Their next fixture is away to Dorking on January 7.

Colchester remain second from bottom, ahead of basement boys Amersham.