MISTLEY Rugby Club suffered heartache after being pipped 26-25 in their Eastern Counties League division two south contest at home to Sudbury.

However, Saturday’s performance was a huge improvement from the previous weekend’s dismal display against Harwich.

In the sides’ previous encounter, Mistley had lost 69-32.

Sudbury started fourth in the table and a place above their hosts, with a 14-point advantage.

The game started well for Mistley.

However, Sudbury’s young, fast backs, who caused problems all afternoon, were first to score after an infringement.

In response, Mistley’s scrum, which produced a forceful performance, started to battle for superiority and penalties were awarded and missed before Matt Course struck to reduce the deficit to 7-3.

Neil Baxter and Ed Barrie continued to harry the Sudbury pack.

However, as soon as the ball ended up in the hands of Sudbury centre Charles Johnston, he was able to score his second try and convert to increase the score to 14-3.

Another penalty was missed and Kyle Fox went off injured.

Isaac Tamani and Terry Regan then came on and Mistley captain Nick Graves nearly scored.

At half-time, strong words were expressed by coach Dai Kenyon and Graves as it was obvious that, due to their superior pack, it was a game Mistley could turn around.

However, with no more than a minute of the second half played, Jackson completed his hat-trick for Sudbury to increase their lead to 21-3.

Mistley woke up and left Sudbury defending for their lives. Their pack kept turning over the ball, which allowed Rob Bloom, at centre, to score a try that was converted by Course to reduce the deficit to 21-10.

Sam Everett, who also had a superb game, came off to be replaced by Adam Ward.

Try-scoring possibilities were numerous, as the whole Mistley scrum powered ahead, thanks to Anthony Ward, Tobias Philips, Nick Moses and Ryan Knapton.

A penalty try was awarded and the deficit was further reduced to 21-17.

Disaster struck as Graves, who had led his men valiantly, went off with an ankle injury.

A penalty converted by Course bought the score to 21-20.

Then a superb run by Moby Turner allowed Tamani to score and Mistley were in the lead for the first time at 25-21.

With four minutes to go, the atmosphere was electric as Mistley gave away a few penalties.

However, despite a try-saving tackle from Dicky Johnson, Sudbury scored in the dying seconds, in the corner, to win 26-25.

Despite their disappointment at losing, Mistley had shown that their spirit and determination in a match in which both sides deserved enormous credit.

Graves said his side had produced one of their finest performances of the season.

He felt they demonstrated balance and structure and deserved their bonus point.