Consistency over the entire 80 minutes of a game is what is needed to end a poor run of form for Halstead Templars Rugby Club, according to coach Barry Poulter.

Templars showed they can compete against the best in Greene King Eastern Counties League division three south at the end and especially the start of their game at leaders Colchester thirds last week.

However, mistakes in the middle part of the game allowed the high-flying hosts to get on top and they ran out 45-7 winners.

Poulter was pleased with how his team performed how they know they are capable of and wants to see more of that as they aim to end a three-game losing sequence in the league when they host Mersea Island seconds tomorrow.

Poulter said: “Despite the scoreline (at Colchester), we competed well in patches and gave Colchester something to think about.

“If we played for the whole game like we did in the first 20 minutes and last 20, the scoreline may have been different.

“We need to learn consistency of performance for the whole 80 minutes but that said, if we perform like that against most teams in our division it would be a win in our favour as Colchester are far and away the best side in the league.”

Templars have now lost their last three Greene King Eastern Counties League division three south games and five in all competitions.

However, they head into tomorrow’s game knowing they beat Mersea 46-19 in the away fixture in October and will travel with hopes of turning things around.

The game is due to start at 2pm at Courtauld Sports Ground in Colchester Road.