COLCHESTER Rugby Club fell narrowly short in a niggly and often chaotic match after losing 29-22 at league leaders Sudbury, writes EDWARD MARRIAGE.

The Suffolk side had lost just once this season - at Colchester back in September - and threatened to blow the Blacks away in a blustery first half.

But Colchester fought back well, emerging with a losing bonus point and pride very much intact.

Manager Jon Smith felt Colchester deserved at least a share of the points.

“We let them through for three really soft tries in the first half that a good first-up tackle would have prevented,” said Smith.

“But after making a few tactical changes we couldn’t be more proud of the lads in the second half.”

Colchester fielded a strong team with flanker Tom Pool back from injury and top try-scorer Connor O’Reilly - who was due to be away on army duty - starting on the wing.

Harry Bureau kicked Colchester into a three-point lead and the visitors followed up with a couple of good try-scoring chances, one of which was knocked-on, another held up over the line.

But Sudbury then took control with three tries in seven minutes through wing Ryan Steer, centre Henry Cowling and scrum-half Frazer Beckett.

On the half hour, O’Reilly broke and captain Dan Whiteman was seemingly heading to the corner before being tackled into touch.

Approaching half-time, Colchester forced a series of penalties and scrums close to the Sudbury line.

The home side lost a player to the bin and were arguably fortunate not to concede a penalty try.

With the last play of the half, scrum-half Brett Cutbush scooted round to score, Bureau converting to make it 19-10 at the break.

A penalty extended Sudbury’s lead, while centre George Liversidge was harshly binned for hands in the ruck.

With Alex Gerrard on for Pool, Sudbury had their bonus point after running back a penalty clearance, centre Jake Sumner scoring to put the hosts 29-10 up.

Smith attributed the change in momentum to the arrival of Dave Tonge for his first team debut at scrum-half, Cutbush moving to fly-half in place of Bureau.

On 65 minutes, lock Haydn Sykes scampered in for the first of two quick-fire tries, the conversion by Cutbush making it 29-22, and Sudbury suddenly looked less assured.

The closing moments were chaotic in the extreme with Colchester pressing for the score to level the match, Sudbury trying to deny their opponents a losing bonus point and both sides losing players to the bin.

Then, to the bemusement of the Colchester coaches, the referee opted for uncontested scrums after Sudbury ran out of front-row forwards.

“At one point we had scrums and the next moment we went uncontested,” said Smith.

Sudbury duly held on for the win and now look promotion-certainties.

Colchester are sixth in London One North but with two games in hand.

Old Haberdashers have won their appeal against the home walkover awarded to Colchester after the cancellation of last month’s game.

It has now been rearranged for March 19.

Fourth-placed Harpenden are next up for Colchester at Raven Park on Saturday (3pm).