Colchester returned home with two bonus points to remain seventh in National 2 East, after sharing 12 tries with their hosts.

Colchester head coach Mike Haywood said: “We didn’t have enough at the end to get the win.

“It just comes down to a bit of detail. We know if we put our game on the pitch, we’ll be there or thereabouts.”

On a breezy day in the East Midlands, Colchester rang the changes with Max Clark starting on the wing and Harry Bureau at full-back, while Haydn Sykes returned in the second row.

For once, Colchester burst out of the blocks to lead 14-0 after just six minutes. Sykes collected the ball inside his own half and ran half the length of the field to score, then from a line out, Ted Reid fed Archie Kean, the ball was recycled and Findlay Gilmour galloped over.

With Benjy Mills converting both tries, everything looked promising for Colchester. But for whatever reason the visitors seemed to switch off, and Lions proceeded to score 23 unanswered points.

Hooker Tim Waterfield scored from a line-out drive, then wing Taio Varndell, son of Lions head coach and former England wing Tom, crossed on the right.

Match report: Tough day on the road for Col #Pitchero https://t.co/K23c6LuAX7 https://t.co/vK8DvteRzs

— Colchester RFC (@ColchesterRFC) October 19, 2026

With Kean binned for a high tackle and Colchester reduced to 14, another defensive lapse saw Lions score a third try. Max Titchener kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Pretty much the best Colchester attack since their early tries, a robust line break by Leroy O’Neil, came to nothing, and the visitors headed to the sheds trailing 23-14.

After some plain speaking at the interval, a carbon copy of the first half saw Colchester score two rapid tries at the start of the second. From a line-out, Kean took the ball up and O’Neil burst over.

Then from a scrum, Kean jinked through, his cute chip ahead was gathered by Reid to score Colchester’s bonus point try. Mills converted both and Colchester were suddenly 28-23 ahead.

The rest of the half was a ding-dong affair. An unconverted Lions try briefly levelled the scores before a lovely bit of skill by Clark saw Colchester regain the lead.

From a kick ahead by Mills, the wing got a foot to the ball, before regathering to score.

Back came Lions with a fifth try, but again Colchester got their noses in front. A typically well-judged cross-field kick by the excellent Mills found Ethan Cole who dotted down in the corner and Colchester lead 38-35.

Agonisingly, the visitors couldn’t see the game out as Owen Carroll scrambled over three minutes from time to seal victory for Lions.

Setback - Colchester Rugby Club lost to Leicester Lions in National 2 East (Image: Mallory Bolter)

Reflecting on Colchester’s situation as they head into the first rest weekend of the season, Haywood remains positive.

He added: “We’re in a good spot and to pick up 21 points from our first seven games is good from our perspective.

"The guys are working really hard and this is now a good opportunity for some of them to get a rest.”

Colchester next play at fourth-placed Old Albanians, on October 31.

There was better news elsewhere as the Ravens won their first match of the season, a bonus point 40-29 win over high-flying Stowmarket.

The As triumphed 94-0 at Stowmarket 2s while the Cavaliers beat Maldon 2s, 31-17.

Colchester: Bureau, Varela, Gilmour, Kean, Clark, Mills, Daly ©; O’Neil, McCartney, Rossouw, Sykes, de Lucchi, Ellis, Whiteman, Reid. Reps: Harrison, Corcoran, Webb, Parry, Cole.