Anthony O’Riordan says Colchester Rugby Club will be going all out to secure runners-up spot in London One North this season – and bag a coveted play-off place.

The Blacks host league leaders Chingford tomorrow looking to make a statement and bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing 31-17 loss at second-placed Brentwood.

That defeat has left Colchester 17 points adrift of second spot – and 20 points off the top of the table - with ten games remaining.

But O’Riordan, who is director of rugby at Mill Road, insists it is still all to play for the club’s first XV, as they attempt to return to National League rugby at the first time of asking.

O’Riordan told the Daily Gazette: “The idea now is for us to finish second and that starts this weekend by beating the team that’s at the top of the table.

“Beating Brentwood last weekend would have helped us in our aim to do that but we’ve moved onto the Chingford game now and there’s still a long way to go, this season.

“I’m very confident that we can turn them over, at home.

“We have a better style of rugby than they do.

“The players don’t need any motivation from me.

“The original game was quite hard fought, earlier in the season.

“There were a few refereeing decisions that we felt led to tries being scored but we capitulated a bit, on the day.

“The squad is looking very good for Saturday and we’re good, going into the weekend.”

After winning their opening four games this season, Colchester’s form has been up and down since then.

O’Riordan admits they have been inconsistent but as head coach at an amateur club, is realistic about the constraints they are working within.

“My ambition as a coach and a sporting person is to win every game we go into,” he said.

“I don’t apologise for setting those high targets – if you’re not looking to win every time you go out there as a player or as a coach, then what’s the point in playing?

“The inconsistency we’ve had this season has been frustrating.

“But the reality is that they are amateurs who are very good at what they do but ultimately, it’s their hobby.

“Family and work and life in general can get in the way, if you’re an amateur athlete and that inevitably affects player availability.

“As a coach and a sporting professional, it is frustrating but that’s the way it is.

“We have to be realistic with our expectations and we can only ask so much of people.”

Colchester will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat at Brentwood, which saw the hosts prevail after a dominant second-half display.

O’Riordan added: “Brentwood were better than us but it was more of a case of us losing the game, rather than them winning it.

“We scored 100 points the previous week and had been hoping to build on that but it wasn’t to be.”