Colchester were first out of the blocks with two tries in the first seven minutes. Second row Haydn Sykes outpaced the Lions defence with a run from the halfway line, quickly followed by hooker Finley McCartney driving through to score tries, both converted by centre Findlay Gilmour for Colchester to take a 14-0 lead.

Lions soon retaliated with tries by hooker Tim Waterfield and winger Taio Varndell, with Max Titchener adding a conversion to close the score to 14-12 to Colchester's advantage.

An offside and a high tackle by Colchester gave penalties to Lions which Titchener slotted between the posts for Lions to take the lead at 18-14.

This was quickly followed by winger Neil Machiels sprinting through the Colchester defence for an unconverted try, taking Lions into the break with a 23-14 lead

HT 23-14

Colchester's start of the second half was a mirror image of their start to the game when they scored quick forwards tries by prop Leroy O'Neil and No 8 Ed Read, with flyhalf Ben Mills adding the two conversions, to take Colchester back in the lead at 28-23.

Lions soon came back at Colchester with an unconverted try by replacement Dexter Ryde, closing the score to 28-28.

Winger Max Clark regained the lead for Colchester with a speeding run through the centre for an unconverted try to take the lead at 33-28

This was quickly followed by Lions taking back the lead with a try by centre Jake Sterland, converted by Titchener to make it 35-33 to Lions.

Colchester showed their determination with a powerful run by Waterfield, which was finished off by replacement Ethan Cole outpacing the Lions defence to score the unconverted try which took them back into a 38-35 lead.

With five minutes to go Lions full back Owen Carroll came into line and worked his way through the Colchester defence for the final try of the game, converted by Titchener, to move Lions into a winning 42-38 lead.

FT 42-38

An entertaining game between two sides committed to attacking rugby, giving Lions their second win of the season. An excellent example of two sides applying themselves to crowd pleasing rugby.

Lions move up the table to 11th position in a league comprising 14 teams.

Leicester Lions II had a tough trip to Corby with a score of Stewart & Lloyds 52 (8 tries) Leicester II 19 (3 tries).

Leicester Lions do not have a fixture next weekend, but Leicester Lions II are at home to Stockwood Park, with a 2.15 pm kick off.