COLCHESTER Gladiators made sure they will at least finish the season with a play-off berth after a comfortable win against the East Kent Mavericks.

They improved their record to 6-2 with a sixth consecutive British American Football Association Southern Conference division one win and could still take the title if they win their final two games.

It would be a remarkable turn around after opening the year with two defeats and head coach Neil O’Hare was thrilled by the performance against the Mavericks.

He said: “This game could easily have been a banana skin for us.

“We were missing a significant number of starters for various reasons and East Kent were on a high after beating a tough Birmingham side the week before.

“We had to adjust a few things and we couldn’t play the kind of defence that we might like, but our guys rose to the challenge magnificently to run out winners on the day.

“I am so proud of our players and coaching staff.”

The Gladiators were again without a number of key players, particularly on defence, but strong running from Chris Jackson and Andrew Cairns proved more than the Mavericks could handle.

Colchester took just three plays to open their account when quarterback Curtis Bourke ran in from 62 yards out and Nathan Brown slotted the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

East Kent hit back immediately though, with a touchdown making it 7-6, but it did not take the visitors long to re-establish their lead as Jackson ran in from ten yards and Brown added the extra point to make it 14-6.

It was then Cairns’ turn to complete a drive and Brown’s kick was accurate again as they opened a 21-6 lead, and when Cairns was found by Bourke for a fourth touchdown, the Gladiators ended the first half 27-6 ahead.

That became 33-6 after the break when Cairns went over again and even though the extra point was blocked and returned the length of the pitch for a two point safety to the Mavericks, a 33-8 score demonstrated the Gladiators’ dominance at the end.

The return game against the Mavericks at Colchester will be on Sunday at Colchester Rugby Club in Mill Road (kick-off 2.30pm).

Admission is free.