Colchester Rugby Club coach Tim Grimsey refused to be down on his players, despite seeing their mistakes get punished in a 29-20 defeat by Westcliff.

Tries by Damien Brambley, Chris Withers and Ollie Pickett and a conversion and penalty by Withers should have been enough to win Colchester the game, but errors in the game proved costly.

However, Grimsey was full of praise for his team’s work-rate throughout the match and wasn’t pointing any fingers of accusation.

He said: “The forwards played the best they have played since I have been here and the backs also played well but errors cost us.

“We made three mistakes in the game.

“One in the first minute of the first half, one in the first minute of the second half and one where a clearance kick didn’t go out.

“But you can’t look at any of those and say that is where we lost the game."

See this week's Essex County Standard for more reaction and a round-up of all the local rugby action.