HARWICH and Dovercourt produced a stunning performance to inflict a first defeat of the season on table-toppers Colchester seconds.

They won 19-12 in the Eastern Counties League division two south contest at Low Road on Saturday.

Colchester had not lost all season and boasted the best attacking and defensive record in the league.

Harwich, therefore, started as underdogs, but were determined to cause an upset.

The game started with Colchester attacking through their quick backs and Harwich defending.

Harwich’s scrum, however, was causing problems and it was from a tight head that Shaun Fox cleared down field.

After some time in possession, Harwich won a penalty which was converted for a well-deserved 3-0 lead.

Josh Jones went close, scoring a try after an excellent 60-metre break, but he was forced into touch by an excellent covering tackle.

Harwich continued to frustrate their more fancied rivals, who were trying to run the ball from their own line instead of kicking.

Excellent tackling from Jack Cairns, Elliot Hawkins and Kyle Hutchins kept Colchester pinned in their own 22.

This frustration caused Colchester to give away two more kickable penalties, which Fox converted for a 9-0 lead.

Harwich then scored a try through George Woodley, after they maintained possession and showed excellent handling to ship the ball to the bulldozing prop.

The try was unconverted and Harwich went into half-time with a shock 14-0 lead.

Coach Shane Manning’s half-time talk was simple – to produce more of the same and stick to the structure, in defence and attack.

Colchester came out with all guns blazing after the break and immediately put Harwich under pressure.

However, Harwich again cleared their lines through Fox and began to have some possession in Colchester’s half.

It was from another penalty that livewire scrum-half Jones took a quick tap to step through the defence and offload to Woodley, giving the prop his second try and Harwich an unlikely 19-0 lead.

Colchester’s superior fitness started to take its toll on the tiring Harwich side, as they began making several charges at the try-line.

Colchester then managed their first converted try of the game, scored by Gareth Osbourne, after he picked the ball up and crashed over the line from close range for 19-7.

Colchester then had another attack and managed another try, scored by Alex Mitchell.

It was unconverted and proved the final act of the game, as the referee blew the whistle for full-time.

Harwich had managed to pull off mission impossible by beating their much more fancied opponents.

Harwich now have another difficult game tomorrow, at neighbouurs Mistley (kick-off 2.30pm).