Allen delighted as Luton Rugby more up to third

He said: “I am really pleased with how we played. Colchester are a good team but our first half performance was one of, if not the best, of the season.

“We really played well in that half and were clinical every time we went forward.”

In a hard-fought first half, it was Luton who raced into a big 24-7 first half lead.

Rik Hobbs converted a penalty on five minutes after Colchester were penalised for illegally using hands in the ruck.

Luton then scored the first try of the match after 16 minutes when they dominated a five-metre scrum and number eight Jack Elston grounded the ball over the try line, with Rik Hobbs adding a brilliant touchline conversion.

A 10-0 scoreline quickly turned into 17-0 with a backs try on 19 minutes, as Jake Hobbs scored after a defence-splitting run by Steve Ellis.

Luton then scored their third try of the match after 34 minutes with Tom Wilmore diving over in the corner after a spell of pressure inside Colchester’s 22.

Colchester scored their first points of the match with the last play of the first half, Graeme Hay scoring after the ball went loose from a lineout in the Luton half.

The visitors came out for the second half strongly with Oliver Pickett touching down and David Higgins adding a conversion and penalty to cut the gap with 24-15 with just seven minutes gone.

However, Luton’s defence stood firm and the bonus point was secured on 64 minutes when Elston touched down a carbon copy try to his first as Luton leapfrogged Colchester in the table.

Allen added: “The lads defended brilliantly and as much as Colchester tried to play a fast-paced wide game we worked hard for one another and repelled most attacks.”

Luton go to Brentwood on Saturday.