Old Colfeians 5 v 48 Thurrock
FOLLOWING the euphoria of the previous week it was always going to be difficult to raise their game again to the same intensity. But after an opening spell of pressure from the home side mainly due to forward catch and drives, Thurrock first real encounter into the opposition half resulted in a simple try for Nathan Farrell which was the start of a great afternoon for the flying winger his strength and pace was at the fore all afternoon.
Although Frankie Neale missed the conversion, within minutes he increased the visitors lead with a close range penalty. Thurrock still had their cutting edge, as up stepped Farrell again, exploiting the smallest gap he set off on a mazy run and ended up scoring under the posts to give Neale the simplest of conversions. A couple of cheap penalties put Thurrock on the back foot and allowed the Colfe’s catch and drive come into play and their persistence paid off when scoring in the corner. Thurrock were not finished there has they asserted more pressure and Frankie Neale went over for a well worked try which he duly converted to give Thurrock a 22-5 lead at the break.
The second half was all Thurrock only some desperate defending and a referee who seem to award more scrums than minutes played kept the score down. Bradleigh Rettigan scored a try from a quick tapped penalty and further tries came from Nick Cooper-Hicks and Ben Stanley the first and later being converted by Neale. But the defining moment of the day when Thurrock wrapped up a decent win when that man Farrell again exposed the home side defensive frailelties to score his 3rd try of the day much deserved for his all round match and the choice of man of the match made easy by his performance. Neale again added the conversion to round off another good afternoon.
TEAM: Neale, Farrell, B.Stanley, M.Stanley, Boshell (Barrand) Rudgeley, Cook North, Carey, Bevans-Royston (C.Rate), Cooper-Hicks, Loka (Ellis), Timson, Russo , Rettigan
This Saturday Thurrock have a deserved week off, with two matches remaining, their next game is the last home game of the season when they entertain ETON MANOR on a day that’s going to be special for the club.
The 1st XV squad will be putting young budding players through their paces with an open training session, which commences at 11.30. This will be followed by the clubs attempt to break the record for the world largest scrum. The action then continues when the A team winners of their ZOO Sports league entertain BISHOP STORTFORD in a play-off match at 1.00 pm (tbc) Then the main event the game v ETON MANOR this will be followed by an U-16 game v AYLESFORD BULLS
There is also a VP Lunch, and a sponsor buffet, so a great day to be had by all.
