Mistakes may have proved costly in the end, but the application of Colchester Rugby Club’s players in horrendous conditions at Bury won praise from coach Danny Johnston.

A 13-3 defeat blew a big hole in Colchester’s promotion plans as, despite them staying third after defeats for Chingford and Thurrock, it allowed second-placed Sidcup to open a gap on them in the London League division one north table.

The encounter was played on a boggy Bury surface that cut up badly during the game and Johnston said it was so muddy by the end that it was difficult to differentiate between the sides.

Those conditions made the ball slick and handling treacherous and all Bury’s points came as a result of mistakes by the visiting players.

However, Johnston said the Colchester players stuck to their principles of playing as expansively as they could and he praised them for their endeavour.

He said: “The style of rugby that we try to always play is flowing and open, but in conditions like that, it was highly unlikely that we would be able to do that.

“However, both teams did look to play expansively and credit should go to the players for that.

“Three mistakes were costly for us, though, and that underlined our game.

“Two bad decisions in midfield and a missed tackle led to all of their points so that element is disappointing, but it was a close game."

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