MISTLEY Rugby Club enjoyed a comprehensive victory at home to Colchester fourths.

Lewis Stratton played for the visitors, to help Colchester out.

Despite fielding a young team, Colchester started well as the hosts took time to settle in the Eastern Counties League clash.

Superb tackling from Matt Aspinall, coupled with some efficient passing down the line, enabled Jack Tompkins to break the deadlock for Mistley.

The hosts began to exert pressure and, after a brilliant run from Connor Williams, Dicky Johnson scored under the centre of the post and it was duly converted by Tompkins.

A further try came as Reece Kirkham smashed through the Colchester line.

Again, it was duly converted by Tompkins.

Colchester defended well and fought back as Ryan Knapton, Stephen Betts and Anthony Ware worked well in the scrum, but the visitors were kept at bay following some titanic tackling from Kirkham and Aspinall.

Silly mistakes and penalties were then awarded against Mistley, with the main culprit being Ed Barrie.

An injury to a Colchester player and a lack of substitutes led to Stratton and Fred Barrett coming on to help Colchester out.

Further intensive work from the backs enabled Johnson to score his second try and another conversion by Tompkins brought the half-time score to 26-0.

Colchester came out in the second half with renewed vigour.

However, it was now the turn of the Mistley scrum to show their superior force, with Kyle Fox causing all sorts of problems.

Harry Kerins came on for Ware, together with Lewis Symes.

Mistley's forwards then powered over the line for number eight and captain Nick Graves to score and increase the lead to 31-0.

Barrie went off along with Knapton and they were replaced by Sam Ackerman and Angus Bissett.

A penalty was then awarded to Mistley, which Tompkins converted.

However, Colchester kept up the pressure and with Tompkins kicking well, Aspinall picked up the bouncing ball and passed to Graves for his second try. A difficult conversion by Tompkins ended the final score at 41-0.

Coach Dai Kenyon was delighted with the team's performance, with Kyle Fox and Tompkins being awarded joint man-of-the-match.

This weekend the Marauders are at home to Maldon, which had earlier been postponed.

The game will start at 2pm and the match sponsor is Cooledge and Co Building Services, of Brantham.