CLACTON’S Eastern Winter League title challenge suffered a blow after losing 11-10 against Colchester.

It was their first match after a six-week break and they needed maximum points, to keep things in their own hands.

Now they go into their final match needing other results to go in their favour, if they are to be crowned champions again.

Clacton were uncharacteristically ring-rusty against Colchester.

They were nowhere near their best, in either attack or defence.

Colchester, on the other hand, were on top form and had one of those games where everything they did came off.

They had the bit between their teeth and, after three good quarters, left their opponents with a three-goal deficit to make up.

With Colchester opening the scoring early in the quarter, Clacton faced an uphill struggle.

Despite attacking hard, they could not quite scrape a draw, losing 11-10.

Colchester, to their credit, played well throughout and made the most of their chances.

Clacton’s final match of the season is against Basildon.