COLCHESTER Rugby Club were denied a second win of the season as visitors Havant scored twice in a final frenetic ten-minute spell to force a 31-31 draw, by EDWARD MARRIAGE.

Three points were enough to lift Colchester off the bottom of National 2 East but the Blacks, leading by 12 points late on, could and probably should have won.

“Three yellow cards cost us,” admitted head coach Mike Haywood.

Adding to their misfortune, Alex Grey ended the day in hospital after a horrible ankle injury, having only recently returned after eight weeks out with a knee injury.

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After the abortive trip to Guernsey, Colchester were desperate to get back in action and for the first hour played some of their best rugby of the season.

Havant took the lead through Tom Gwyther’s unconverted try but Colchester soon led, Callum Jeffery going over from close range.

With Grey in the bin for foul play, Joel Knights converted his own try to re-establish Havant’s lead.

Straight from the restart, Tom Hoppe crossed and the excellent Gabe Jones, who had a 100 per cent match from the tee, converted.

Colchester led 14-12 at the break but it could have been more. Ross Taylor chased Fin Creighton's kick through but the full-back’s hack, with one player to beat, unluckily bounced into touch.

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Then Francois Rossouw skilfully fielded the ball on half-way and belted into opposition territory. Connor O’Reilly headed for the try line, but the ball went forward.

Earlier both O’Reilly and Hoppe looked to have broken free for the line, only for the moves to break down or be brought back for an infringement.

Colchester appeared to take control early in the second half. Jones kicked a penalty then created the chance for Cam Kerr, who’s well-taken try made it 24-12.

Havant hauled their way back through Ben Holt’s try, but Jonah Varela, making his 50th first-team appearance, secured Colchester’s bonus point with a try direct from the restart.

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The conversion had the hosts 31-19 ahead and looking on course for victory.

But things fell apart in the final quarter. First replacement props Leroy O’Neil and Alex Mitchell saw yellow six minutes apart, leading to uncontested scrums as Callum Jeffery had already come off with a head knock. There was then the long break in play for treatment to the unfortunate Grey.

With Colchester down to 13 and now conceding repeated penalties, Havant seized their chance with two late tries to level the scores.

“There were massive highs and lows in that game,” said Haywood.

“We spoke before the game that we needed to be disciplined. Three yellow cards didn’t help us.

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“On a positive note, three points is great for us, and it just lays a foundation with the momentum we’ve got going, which we can take into the New Year.”

Deservedly the engine room took the player-of-the match plaudits with Charlie Friend getting the award from sponsors Focus and Joe Brock taking the coach’s gong, courtesy of the Lexden Crown and Amnesia Flowers.

The final match of the year sees Colchester travel to league leaders Tonbridge Juddians on Saturday (kick-off 2pm).

On a mixed day for Colchester's senior men’s teams, the Ravens lost 39-28 to Ipswich to stay ninth in their league, but there were wins for the thirds and fourths against Felixstowe and Bury respectively.

Colchester: Taylor, Varela, Hoppe, Lloyd, O’Reilly, Jones, Creighton; C Jeffery, Rossouw, L Jeffery, Brock, Friend, Kerr, Whiteman, Grey. Reps: Mitchell, O’Neill, Tabuatamata, Button, Bodkin.