THE miracle match – that’s surely how this extraordinary game will be remembered in years to come, writes EDWARD MARRIAGE.

Colchester Rugby Club battled back from 33 points down against Harpenden to clinch a scarcely-believable 44-43 win with the very last kick.

How it happened will probably remain a mystery to the big crowd at Raven Park.

Utterly outplayed in the first half during which they shipped six tries to a rampant Harpenden team, Colchester were seemingly down and out at the break.

Somehow Colchester hauled themselves off the floor to win it with a stirring second-half performance.

Ultimately it was down to outside-half Harry Bureau. With Harpenden leading 41-43 deep in added time, Bureau stepped up to kick the penalty from 30 metres, clinching the unlikeliest of victories.

Bureau admitted the players weren’t even sure of the score at the time, as the scoreboard had been removed earlier in the week to make repairs to the floodlights.

“We thought we were five points behind but the referee said it was two points, so I stepped up,” said Bureau.

“I took it like every other kick, to be honest,” said the man who sparked delirious celebrations as the referee blew for full-time.

Colchester’s coaches will want to draw a veil over the first-half horror show.

Playing with a stiff breeze, Harpenden totally dominated, running in six tries and securing the bonus point inside 25 minutes. Poor defending contributed to Colchester’s problems.

The visitors were a try up inside two minutes, wing Jonny Chalkley racing in for the first of his hat-trick.

Trailing 3-36 as half-time approached, Alex Burman’s timely try following a fine break by Jonah Varela gave Colchester some hope. Varela converted, even though the wind blew the ball off the tee in the act of kicking.

Playing with the elements and against 14 men as Harpenden lost a forward to the sin bin for repeated penalties, Colchester at last gained a foot-hold.

Centre Adam Thomas scored the first of Colchester’s quick-fire tries, Harry Pickett and Tom Pool following up with further scores to make it 36-27.

But any faint hopes Colchester had seemed to be snuffed out when Harpenden scored again through full-back Conor McLean.

Suddenly Colchester trailed by 16 points with five minutes plus added time left.

Colchester weren’t done. Pickett ran in his second, with man-of-the-match Varela scorching over for the 13th try of the match. Bureau’s conversion made it a two-point game.

With Colchester straining for victory, the referee blew for a penalty. It wasn’t the toughest, but still quite a test for Bureau, who was back on the pitch having been substituted in the first half.

“It’s one of the best wins the club has seen in the last few years,” said Bureau. “Being new to the club, being part of this is amazing.”

Director of rugby Anthony O’Riordan admitted to a few harsh words at the break.

He said: “The first half was the worst I’ve seen us play all season.

"Then to play the best I’ve seen us play in seven years in the second half was magical. The boys reacted and delivered.

“Today puts us in a good place.”

Colchester stay sixth in London 1 North but with two games in hand.

They are at home again on Saturday, to second-bottom Leighton Buzzard (kick-off 3pm).