Colchester Rugby Club’s bid to complete a historic move into the national leagues fell agonisingly short in the cold, wet and rain of Kent.

London League division one south runners-up and hosts, Old Elthamians, handled the atrocious conditions best and secured a 16-8 win in their winner-takes-all clash.

Colchester had been bidding to make the move up into the national leagues for the first time in the club's history.

While the Kent side's victory means they will now make the move next year, Colchester will have another season in London League division one north.

See the paper on Monday for reaction to Colchester’s defeat.