It may have taken its toll on his nerves, but Colchester Rugby Club coach Tim Grimsey hailed his team’s 16-9 win against Chingford as the “biggest” in the club’s history.

Character and spirit were the key ingredients as Colchester gave their hopes of gaining promotion from London League division one north this year a huge boost.

It allowed Colchester to pull level on points with third-placed Chingford and, with second-placed Sidcup losing to leaders Westcliff, the Mill Road side are building some impressive momentum.

They head to Old Colfeians tomorrow and Grimsey will look for the same level of performance as he saw at home on Saturday. He said: “I asked for two things from the players – big characters and big spirits – and I got both from every single one of them.

“There were bigger characters than in a Hollywood blockbuster and more spirits than in a haunted house.

“It was nerve-wracking, though.

“I just thought it wasn’t going to be our day at one point.

“We were 10-9 down with four minutes to go and then Brett Cutbush scored a try and Damien Brambley converted it.

“That win was the biggest in Colchester’s history by far.

“To say that it was massive is an understatement.”

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