IT’S all about maintaining momentum for Colchester Rugby Club first-team coach Anthony O’Riordan.

The Mill Road side are sitting on top of the London League division one north table heading into their final game before the Christmas break.

They secured a 23-17 win at a muddy Chingford last weekend, but is was the first time they hadn’t picked up a bonus point win in 12 games.

O’Riordan said: “The conditions were awful.

“The main pitch was unplayable so we had to play on a second pitch that was a bit narrower than we are used to.

“I was really pleased with the performance but slightly disappointed we didn’t get the bonus-point win.

“I had said earlier in the season that it was these kinds of games, in the mud, that we would have to grind out wins that traditionally we haven’t done in past seasons.

“But we made the best of the conditions last weekend.”

Today, Colchester entertain sixth-placed Brentwood who will provide difficult opponents for the home side.

In their first meeting this season, back in September at Brentwood, Colchester ran out narrow 27-23 victors.

O’Riordan said: “Our ambition is to secure a bonus point win.

“However, the main aim is to secure victory and keep ourselves on top of the table.

“We want to take that momentum with us into training over the Christmas break and prepare ourselves for Ipswich in the new year.

“The match against Brentwood is not a given.

“There is a healthy rivalry between the two sides which they showed at their place last time we played them.

“And I am sure that rivalry will continue in the same vein on Saturday.”

Second-placed Eton Manor’s 36-7 bonus point win against North Walsham last weekend cut Colchester’s lead at the top to one point.

And O’Riordan knows that it is down to the coaches and the players to make sure that they don’t lose sight of their own game.

He said: “We have had a string of big results and sometimes people can lose focus.

“It is down to us to set our own boundaries, targets and maintain momentum.

“Everyone is fit and raring to go for the match.

“And we are expecting a number of exciting signings in the new year which will only strengthen the side.”