THURROCK 52 v 25 NORTH WALSHAM

THURROCK welcomed strugglers North Walsham to Oakfield making their first visit since 1984. Thurrock elected to play with the very cold breeze at their backs and got off to the best possible start as Michael Stanley charged down a clearance kick and Charlie Russo starting a game for the first time in 4 seasons reacted the quickest to score under the posts, Frankie Neale stepped up to add the simplest of conversions. Borrett pulled a penalty back for the visitors, but two moments of magic gave Thurrock the upper hand.

Firstly a chip over from Ian Rudgeley was collected by winger Sam Boshell to score close to the posts, and moments later Thurrock had a penalty 8 metres from the Walsham line, Michael Stanley instead of going for the corner chipped over the top of a static defence and sprinted to touch down close to the dead ball line, Neale added both conversions. The visitors come back well and scored a try against the run of play with Austin crossing for an unconverted try.

Thurrock continued to press and gained the bonus point when Ian Rudgeley went over and Neale continued his 100% success rate with another conversion to make the score 28-8 at the break

Thurrock now with the stiff breeze in their face were kept under early pressure by the visitors, and again sloppy penalties made their cause harder, and Tibbatts went over after a few minutes of concerted forward pressure. Thurrock however came straight back with a devasting spell of great running rugby, and scored tries from Boshell, Josh Cook and Russo, Neale converting the first two but his attempt on the later drifted wide, this gave the home side a great 47-13 cushion. You would think that a team trailing by that score line would lose interest, but they showed great resolve and were rewarded with two late tries from Hyde and McCall the former being converted by Borrett gave the visitors a bonus point. Thurrock however broke the 50 point mark in either side of the two Walsham tries, when Ben Stanley won the race to touch down in the corner, Neale failed to convert from the touchline. Another good performance from the home side cementing their place at the top of the table, and now turn their thoughts on a difficult trip to Colchester

TEAM: Neale, Boshell (Farrell 65m), Gorman, M.Stanley, B.Stanley, Rudgeley, Cook, North, Durrance, Bevans-Royston, Loka (Cooper-Hicks 60m), Kyle Tucker, Timson, Russo, Flavin, Rep C.Rate

This week Thurrock travel to COLCHESTER in the top of the table clash. Kick off at Mill Road is at 3pm

DISS 3 v 10 THURROCK

This was always going to be a tricky fixture for Thurrock, despite putting 50 points on the hosts at Oakfield at the start of October their form since then has been good and were now lying 4th in the league. The home crowd were very vociferous cheering on their hero’s and the home side responded accordingly. Their effort and tenacity was much to the fore and tackled as their life’s depended on it, as the bigger Diss pack kept the ball close and made it difficult for Thurrock to get their hands on the ball. Diss however had no cutting edge and the Thurrock try line never looked threatened, Aston Bevans-Royston was yellow carded for pulling down a rolling maul, but fortunate for Thurrock the kick was wide. They did take the lead in the 25th minute when Beaird landed a penalty from 22 metres. With a strong wind at their backs Diss never utilised this in their favour and the half ground to halt with just the solitary score on the board.

Injury to Brad Rettigan meant a change at the break with Charlie Russo coming on in the back row, then further change see Seb Rate come on in the front row and Bevans-Royston going to lock. Thurrock kept Diss pinned in their own half for long periods of time but just couldn’t make the required breakthrough. Stefan North then went into the referees bad books has he was given a yellow card for dangerous play in the line out. Thurrock survived another 10 minutes with 14 men again conceding no points, in fact Frankie Neale went close with a penalty which just shaded the post.

With 15 minutes Thurrock played their last roll of the dice, with Earl Gorman coming on in the centre replacing Ben Stanley. But still the visitors could not find a way through, and it looked ominous that it not going to be Thurrock’s day. With time running out Michael Stanley made an incisive break getting stopped short of the line the forwards managed to recycle the ball but Frankie Neale ran out of space near the corner but had the nous to keep the ball in play throwing it back into the field of play and the on rushing Bevans-Royston picked the ball off his toes at full steam and made up for his earlier misdemeanour and crashed over to score wide out. At last the Thurrock fans had something to cheer about albeit in the 74th minute

Diss obviously wanted to get back in the game but Thurrock used the wind to push the home side back, then Thurrock managed to turn the ball over from another Diss forward surge and quick ball gave Gorman the chance to make a great break and a perfectly timed pass to winger Sam Boshell sent the players and fans wild with delight

as Thurrock scored their second try confirming victory at the death. The home fans gave their side a fantastic reception on the final whistle, and the visiting supporters were just as ecstatic in seeing their team secure a hard earned win.

TEAM: Neale Boshell, B Stanley (Gorman), M.Stanley, Farrell, Rudgeley, Cook, North, Durrance, Bevans-Royston, Cooper-Hicks (S.Rate 50m), Loka, Kyle Tucker, Timson, Rettigan (Russo 40m)

This week Thurrock entertain NORTH WALSHAM KICK OFF AT OAKFIELD is at 3.00 pm

WITH illness, injuries and a few “not available” the table topping T-Birds travelled all the way to Cheltenham with a bare 15 players, hoping that they were strong enough to complete the job.

On a bright but cold day, despite being driven back into their own 22 by successive penalties, the T-Birds started brightly themselves.

In almost their first attack, Nakita Akintade was given space on the wing where she skipped through 3 tackles and touched down in the corner to open the scoring.

Just a few minutes later, with Cheltenham now defending wider as the forwards drove up the field, Kat Emerson, wearing an unfamiliar 13 shirt cut through the centre field, and with second row Tammy Nichols running a fine support line, she collected the pass for the T’s second in only 12 minutes.

Determined to at least compete in front of their own supporters, Cheltenham raised their game and mounted a period of sustained pressure after Ts failed to deal cleanly with the kick off. Aided by a series of penalties, Cheltenham camped on the T’s try line and finally managed to overload the defence out wide for a score of their own.

Determined to give no quarter Ts played probably their best rugby of the game with both forwards and backs attacking relentlessly. A backs move from a quick penalty was followed by a ruck and forward drive over the line for prop Charlotte Micallef to claim her 6th try of the season.

With the score at 5-15 at halftime both sides came out determined to score first in the second half and Cheltenham again put together a period of sustained pressure in and around T’s 22. Finally a poor kick through landed squarely in Kat Emerson’s arms, a simple pass put Becky Francis into space where she outstripped 4 defenders to run over half the pitch and score under the posts.

With the game now won at 5-22 T’s were looking for the 5 try and a bonus point, but with no subs of their own and with Cheltenham bringing on a series of fresh legs this looked more and more unlikely.

Tired legs led to a defensive mix up and Cheltenham ran a training ground move which created a 3 on 2 and a try for their outside centre.

This galvanised the Ts back into action and tired legs forgotten they pushed deep into the Cheltenham 22 straight from the kick off. Again the forwards finished off a good backs move with Charlotte Micallef becoming the top scoring front row in the league with her 7th try of the season, also securing the vital bonus point.

The conversion from Laura Kavanagh brought the final score to 12-29.

Players of the match were twin sisters Francesca and Sophia Jordan at 7 and 9 respectively.

Still sitting top of Championship One South, this Sunday, 22nd of January sees the T-Birds play their final home match of the season against Hove, kick off 3pm.

Please come along to Oakfield, show your support and see some great Rugby.

THURROCK 27 v 15 BURY ST EDMUNDS

Thurrock welcomed Bury St Edmunds to Oakfield but left having run the league leaders desperately close. Thurrock are unbeaten at home this season and several of the Home supporters commented that Bury were by far the toughest visitors to date and probably gave the Thurrock faithful the best game seen their this season.

The visitors began in determined fashion, tackling positively and attacking with gusto and looked increasingly threatening. And when Bury No 8 Kearney was the victim of a high tackle, one of few that the referee penalised, Bury kicker Will Martin missed a relatively simple penalty attempt. At the 22 restart as Ian Rudgeley quickly tapped to himself and fed Michael Stanley who sped off down field and forced a line out just 10 metres from the visitors try line and despite thwarting the initial advances, the Thurrock forwards powered their way over when Ben Timson being awarded the try, with Frankie Neale adding the conversion. The visitors continued to look the better side for most of the 1st half.

Mann made good yards and was penalised at the breakdown. Martin this time made no mistake with the penalty. Bury continued stretching Thurrock out of their comfort zone and after a series of penalties, the referee had no option to yellow card Dritan Loka the Thurrock second row mid way through the half. Bury made the numerical advantage count, when a calculated downfield kick by Mann was well chased by Krammer and Flexman and their pressure on the home full back earned Martin another successful penalty. reducing the margin to a single point Bury then switched off at the re start and having made a hash of receiving the kick they then went off their feet at a ruck and were forced to watch Neale land a well struck penalty to make it 10 – 6. Thurrock then relaxed at the re start allowing Jo Davis to collect the re start and race deep into Essex territory and catch the midfield offside, this was punished by Will Martin’s 3rd successful penalty to edge the visitors back to within a point. Twice Bury kicked hard earned penalties into touch but then lost the resulting lineout. Thurrock, briefly restored to 15 men were reduced to 14 again when the referee lost patience this time it was fellow second row Aston Bevans-Royston that was sent for 10 minutes rest, Bury then added a further penalty in first half injury time to lead 12-10 at the break a lead probably deserved.

Thurrock re emerged onto the pitch, several minutes ahead of Bury, ears clearly ringing from a half time management teams chat. Despite down to 14 men the opening moments of the half and a great combination of good handling by Thurrock and some poor tackling by Bury allowed man of the match Ben Timson in support to touch down for his and Thurrock’s second try, this time however Neale missed the conversion. Both teams were now slugging it out as first one side and then the other stretched each other’s defence to the limits. In the first half it was Thurrock who could not tune in to the Referee’s requirement at the break down and in the second, it was the visitors that came under mounting pressure,. Neale pushed another penalty just wide but another Bury indiscretion saw Norry sent to the bin and Thurrock kick to the corner. A secure line out catch made, Kyle Tucker then crashed his way over from to increase their lead and deservedly so. But a crucial penalty from Martin with 15 minutes left meant that there was just one score between the two sides and with Thurrock still requiring a further try for a bonus point as well a win to keep them ahead of close rivals Colchester

Thurrock realised their proud home record was in jeopardy they continued to throw the ball about and managed to get towards half way. The ball was sent left but a super chip through from Josh Cook went straight into the arms of Frankie Neale the Bury full back could only watch in horror as the ball bounced kindly backwards allowing him to waltz in under the posts. The conversion also by Neale was the last act of the game. Thurrock are the first team this season to prevent Bury from scoring a try and whether at times they resorted to conceding a few cynical penalties, they showed why they will be firm favourites for promotion come May.

TEAM: Neale Boshell, B Stanley, M.Stanley, Farrell (Barrand 68m) Rudgeley, Cook, North, Durrance, S.Rate (Cooper-Hicks 50m), Bevans-Royston, Loka, Kyle Tucker, Timson, Rettigan Rep Garth Tucker

This week Thurrock face another tricky fixture when they travel to Diss also in the top 4 following this week results. Coach leaves the club at 10.30am

THURROCK travelled to bottom of the league Braintree and if any supporter thought that this game was going to be a walk over they were greatly mistaken. Adding together the commitment of the Braintree players fighting to stay in the league and the fact that the mid season break did not do Thurrock any favours. Adding to that a bad dislocated shoulder injury to captain Darryl Worster will keep him sidelined for at least six weeks

Their normal cohesive attacking ability was rather ring rusty and Thurrock let many scoring chances go to waste. They could not have had the better of starts with Frankie Neale slotting over a penalty, then converting a Nathan Farre’ll try whose hard running style caused problems for the Braintree defence the whole game.

The game then became an impasse with neither side being able to string any phases together as the scored stayed at 10-0 for the rest of the half and a long time into the second. Thurrock’s hope of a bonus point win seemed to be fading but the forwards give them a chink of light when they took charge of a line out close to the Braintree line and prop Aston Bevans-Royston crashed over for a try which seemed to deflate the home side.

The Worster injury gave Sam Boshell the chance to enter the fray, and within minutes of coming on a great chip from Ian Rudgley into space enabled the winger to collect the ball and dive over, Neale added the extra’s and Thurrock now needed a further try to get that Bonus point win, and it came in rather bizarre fashion when a high tackle prevented Kyle Tucker in crashing over, the referee decided to award to try under the posts, the conversion and the bonus point win gratefully gained. In injury time Braintree scored a consolation try which they deserved for their effort on the day, but rest assured the management team are aware that there has to be a massive improvement before they welcome Bury St Edmunds to Oakfield this week when kick off will be 3pm

TEAM: Worster (Boshell 60m),Neale, B Stanley, M.Stanley, Farrell, Rudgeley, Cook, North, C.Rate (S.Rate 50m), Bevans-Royston, Cooper-Hicks, Loka (Flavin 55m), Kyle Tucker, Timson, Garth Tucker

Thurrock welcomed close neighbours Brentwood to a festive Oakfield on Saturday, and the large crowd see the home side avenge the defeat they suffered early in the season. It was however the visitors they opened the scoring with barely 10 minutes played, in a period which the Brentwood forwards dominate possession and a string of penalties kept them on the front foot as Wylie went over for a try, converted by Whitehead.

Thurrock gradually worked their way back into the match, and the home side backs looked dangerous from all over the field, it was Michael Stanley that broke through and reduced the defecit, with an unconverted try. This spurred Thurrock on and a further try gave Thurrock the lead when an attempted penalty kick was well wide but Bradleigh Rettigan was alert to the situation and touched down in the corner with the visitors left looking bemused.

It was then debutant Frankie Neale that got his name on the score sheet with a weaving run see him score in the corner, and Ben Stanley added a fourth and a bonus point try just before half time, this followed a Whitehead penalty for the visitors to leave the score at the break 20-10 to Thurrock.

Thurrock continued to where they left off and it was Michael Stanley that added another try shortly in to the second half, before Whitehead added a penalty for Brentwood, but Stefan North crashed over from a line out move and this time Stanley converted. At 32-13 Thurrock looked good for their victory, but a Woodcock try converted by Whitehead put them back in contention.

Stanley kicked a penalty to widen the gap, and then brother Ben added his second try of the afternoon to wrap up in the end a deserved win, and now Thurrock enter the holiday period as league leaders, and continue their quest on 7th January when they visit Braintree

TEAM: Worster. Boshell, B Stanley, M.Stanley, Neale, Rudgeley, Cook, North, Durrance, S.Rate, Cooper-Hicks, Kyle Tucker, Garth Tucker, Loka, Rettigan

Rep Timson, Bevans-Royston, Farrell

1st XV v's Brentwood

The only club to beat the T's this season

This will be a real crunch match, if Thurrock win there is every chance they will be promoted to the national league. This is a really big step 
for the club AND Thurrock as a whole putting the district into the nations eyes

Kick Off 3pm

Sunday 18th Dec

T-Birds v's Bath Ladies

The only club to beat the T-Birds in two seasons

This will also be a real crunch match as the T-Birds are just 1 point 
behind Bath and if they win Saturday have every chance on being promoted to the Premiership yes the Premiership the top league in English ladies 
rugby.

Kick off 3pm

These guarantee to be great games of rugby as both sides are playing superb rugby at the moment and are a joy to watch. Don't miss out on 
the best sporting exhibitions this year.

Your support will be greatly appreciated AND you will have a wonderful time into the bargain.

They say good teams can play below par and win, that is exactly how Thurrock fared in this match at the New Wilderness, but you must give credit to the home side that played an aggressive forward game keeping Thurrock on the back foot. In fact their opening 20 minutes spell denied Thurrock the ball and deservedly scored two unanswered tries the later converted to give them an early 12-0 lead.

Thurrock dug deep and started to get into the game but all that they mustered was a penalty chance which Mike Stanley gratefully accepted to reduce the arrears by 3 to 9 points. The remainder of the half was a battle in the middle of the park with neither side making a scoring chance.

A further penalty just after the break extended the home sides lead and it looked as if Thurrock were facing their second defeat of the season. But they grabbed some inner strength and gradually got on top and in a scintillating 15 minute spell turned the game on its head, Mike Stanley broke through to score, the replacement Dritan Loka was in support to score under the posts, and Sam Boshell added the third wide out after a poor clearance kick gifted Thurrock the chance which they gratefully accepted, Mike stanley kick all 3 conversions, the last one from the touchline which importantly put Thurrock 3 scores ahead.

Eton Manor chased the game in the closing minutes but enforced mistakes let Thurrock remain the league leaders, and stretched their lead at the top following Colchester losing at Brentwood.

TEAM: Worster. Boshell, B Stanley, M.Stanley, Farrell (Gorman), Rudgeley, Cook, North, C.Rate (Durrance), S.Rate, Cooper-Hicks, Kyle Tucker, Garth Tucker, Timson (Loka), Rettigan

THIS WEEK THURROCK ENTERTAIN BRENTWOOD, KICK 3PM, Brentwood the only side to defeat Thurrock early in September. Your support welcome for a key game to Thurrock’s season

It had been 20 years to the week that Thurrock defeated London Irish in one of the biggest shocks in cup rugby, the reunion held on Saturday was backed from not only players from that day, but many former players, and the class of 2011 certainly gave them a game full of entertainment and tries.

The game was barely 30 seconds old when the forwards secured ball direct from the kick off and Josh Cook made a high box kick over the defence and Bradleigh Rettigan showed great pace to collect the bouncing ball and sprint over the try line, Mike Stanley missed the conversion. It was one-way traffic for the whole game with the home side keeping the pressure on the visitors it looked likely to be a long afternoon for the visitors. The forwards got into the act from an attacking line-out the ball was well secured and the resultant drive allowed Christian Rate to score wide out, Stanley added the conversion.

Thurrock kept up the forays into the visitors half, but Colfe’s responded well trying to counter attack and forced Thurrock to concede two kickable penalties, which only one by Ed Livett was successful, that was the only attacking threat that Thurrock endured all afternoon. Nat Farrell was next on the score sheet with another mazy run, followed again by a great line of attack by Darryl Worster to score under the post’s, Stanley kicked both conversions for 26-3 half time lead.

The second half was much more of the first with some great attacking rugby from the home side, from a quick tap penalty for an infringement in the scrum it was man of the match Rettigan that took it and went over to score, Stanley added the extras. Then it was fly half Ian Rudgeley who made an exquisite chip for Mike Stanley to catch to go over between the posts, Stanley again was on hand to convert. Stanley was harshly yellow carded for not releasing the tackled player, but even down to 14 men it made very little difference as Thurrock scored through forward Nick Cooper-Hicks crashed over close to the posts, and Worster added the conversion. After the sin bin Thurrock made three changes with Keefe, Loka and Gorman entering the fray, it made little difference has the home side still had time to score two more tries, a rather fortunate try from Ben Stanley whose knock on was missed by the referee, who strolled over and the crowd was stunned that the try was given, then a cross field kick from Stanley found Sam Boshell in acres of space and he fielded the ball well and ran in to score and Mike Stanley added both conversions. 9 tries 8 conversion was not a bad afternoon’s work for the league leaders.

TEAM: Worster. Boshell, B Stanley, M.Stanley, Farrell, Rudgeley (Gorman), Cook, North, C.Rate (Keefe), S.Rate, Cooper-Hicks, Kyle Tucker, Garth Tucker (Loka), Timson, Rettigan

THIS WEEK THURROCK TRAVEL TO ETON MANOR, KICK OFF TO BE CONFIRMED

Its ‘Day of Aspirations’ was built on an Olympic theme by teacher Kelly Stevens, with one of the world’s best freestyle footballers, Colin Nell, in school for the whole day with local rugby internationals Emily Scott and Michael Stanley. Colin, Emily and Michael engaged the students in numerous football and rugby workshops and introduced them to a new, healthy lifestyle.

The evening saw a unique Prize Giving Event in its maiden production with guest of honour, one of the world’s greatest rugby players, Jamie Roberts of Wales and the Cardiff Blues. Jamie travelled up as a special guest of former Deputy Head Ralph Henderson, M.B.E. as part of his campaign to bring the best in the world to Thurrock based on the belief that ‘Aspiration is the sequel to inspiration.’

The evening event was organised by Assistant head Ian Bolt, Liam Wilkins and Shola Shittu performed solos, whilst Headteacher Steve Munday addressed the audience with a stirring account of the year’s achievements. This had been a ‘red letter’ year for the school, their ‘outstanding’ Ofsted was followed by the Year 11 students producing the best examination results in the school’s history, making William Edwards one of the country’s best all-round schools. Take into consideration its athletes’ second place in the English Championships and a new sports hall in conjunction with Badminton England and you get some idea of the sensational developments in this Thurrock school.

A real highlight was the appearance of one of the modern greats of rugby, Jamie Roberts. Jamie is a fantastic role model and motivator. A decent man, with real humility, he is not just a legend of the game but very soon will complete his training as a doctor.

Jamie Roberts first came to the fore in 2005,as Wales’ under 21 team won the Grand Slam. In that year’s autumn series he fractured his skull against Australia but came back strongly in 2009 being selected for the British Lions with that great Irishman, Brian O’Driscoll. He performed so well that he was the British Lions man of the series. Of course earlier this year he performed heroics with Wales as they reached the semi-finals of the World Cup and, had it not been for the controversial sending off of captain, Sam Warburton, could have been a World Cup winner.

The highlight of the night was when Jamie entertained the audience during his insightful interview with Ralph Henderson and presented the awards to former students.

Headteacher Steve Munday said:

“It has been another fantastic day at the school. Students have been engaged in a variety of activities and have been challenged to think about their own aspirations, inspired once again by outstanding international athletes. Perhaps the most important message is the hard work and determination needed to ensure you make the most of your talents, whatever they may be.”

Thurrock travelled to Riverside, the home of Chingford where their overall record has not been one of the best with 3 enforced changes which see the return of Sam Porter for his first start of the seasons at the expense of Earl Gorman away with the police, and infected bite and injury kept out Ben Stanley and Aston Bevans-Royston. But it did not stop the visitors burying the long standing voodoo with great aplomb.

Mark Sullivan stepped into a centre partnership with Mike Stanley and looked like it was a seasoned partnership, and ever reliable Christian Rate took over the propping duties. However spectators did not expect a score line of such magnitude with the only score in the first 30 minutes of the game was a Boughtwood penalty for Chingford. Despite lots of Thurrock pressure the home defence remained tenacious keeping themselves in the game. But just after the half hour mark Thurrock made the deserved breakthrough, as the constant pressure finally told, Mike Stanley, scored under the posts, and added the conversion. The visitors increased their lead when a perfectly timed run through the backline line from full back Darryl Worster to score under the posts, Stanley added the extra’s with the conversion to give Thurrock a 14-3 half time lead.

No one could have expected such one way traffic in the second half, following the coaches half time team talk where they believed the players had underperformed the players responded accordingly. They showed much more vigour and were rewarded with 7 unanswered tries in what was an outstanding 40 minutes of rugby. Tries came at regular intervals with some excellent running from both forwards and backs. Michael Stanley added three more tries to the one he scored in the first half, the last of which was a sublime chip from fly half Ian Rudgeley straight to the arms of Stanley to score under the posts. Man of the match Darryl Worster also added a second, which capped probably his best match this season and the deserved man of the match accolade. Garth Tucker was the only forward to score and winger Nat Farrell grabbed himself a couple as Chingford tired and Farrell’s pace exploited the room.

Stanley added five second half conversion’s to record a personal tally of 34 points. The win put’s Thurrock back to the top of the league following Colchester’s defeat at Eton Manor and can go into a week off with great confidence before their next league game at home to Old Colfeians on 3rd December

TEAM: Worster. Porter, Sullivan, M.Stanley, Farrell, Rudgeley, Cook, North, S.Rate, C.Rate, Cooper-Hicks, Kyle Tucker, Garth Tucker, Timson, Rettigan

Rep: Russo, Yeomans, Barrand

THIS  top of the table clash was made even feistier when during the week preceding the game the visitors had been deducted 5pts for playing an under-age player which meant Thurrock started the day on the top of the table. As expected it was a fought encounter and Thurrock did not disappoint the large crowd with another exhibition of their new found confidence. Following a minutes silence and a perfect rendition of the last post from Rolf Jones there was only going to be one winner as the home side dominated the game from start to finish, in fact they 3 perfectly good tries disallowed with the only person not convinced was the referee, otherwise the score would have been even more emphatic.

Mike Stanley calmed any early nerves with a well struck penalty as the home side continued to press and with Letchworth down to 14 men Thurrock exploited the space when recalled Earl Gorman scored in the corner, Stanley added the conversion from the touchline. Thurrock forwards continued to put Letchworth on the back foot and the pressure again told as they conceded a further penalty, which Stanley gratefully accepted to stretch the lead to 13-0 at the break.

With a very capable first half performance behind them the home side new a good start to the half to keep up the momentum was important, and within five minutes of the restart a series of forward surges gave the chance for a cross kick that gave Earl Gorman the chance to field the ball and crash over for second of the game, the resultant conversion was just wide. Letchworth then had a spell in which they showed why they have had a good start to the season, and it young scrum half Hughes who then got the visitors on the scoreboard with a penalty, it missed a second one shortly after but then a moment of brilliance capped a good afternoon for Oakfield regulars, an energetic break from defence saw Nat Farrell get the ball with more than 50 metres to go, he skipped round the defence and outpaced the cover to score a magnificent individual try, Stanley with the conversion added the extras. However the bonus point for the 4th try was not to be had, rueing the 3 not given before the break, and now Thurrock find themselves a point off the top after Colchester defeated Colfeians in a bonus point win. Scrum half Josh Cook scooped the man of the match award for a fine all round performance.

TEAM: Worster. Gorman, B.Stanley, M.Stanley, Farrell, Rudgeley (Sullivan 78m), Cook, North, S.Rate, Bevans-Royston (C.Rate 65m), Cooper-Hicks, Kyle Tucker, Garth Tucker, Timson (Banks 78m), Rettigan

Saturday Thurrock make the short journey to CHINGFORD kick off will be 2.15

Thurrock once again turned in a great performance as they hosted the visitors for the first time in the clubs history. But the writing was on the wall for the ‘hammers’ as they are known, when a great forward try from Garth Tucker, then a Sam Boshell try, converted by Michael Stanley who also added a penalty to lead 15-0 within the same amount of minutes. To their credit the next phase of the game was dominated by the visitors but they had very little to show for their efforts apart from a penalty. but five minutes before the break a great piece of individual skill from Mike Stanley has he stole the ball in the tackle and then ran at the defence and chip over and catch see him score near the posts, and then added the conversion to lead 22-3 at the break.

The second half however was a one way affair with Thurrock playing some great open rugby, and the tries flowed at regular intervals, and two individuals managed to enjoy the afternoon even more. Sam Boshell added two more tries get his hat-trick of tries, but was out-scored by Mike Stanley who added 3 more tries to notch 4 tries in the game. The pick of the five tries was a sublime chip over the defence from Ian Rudgeley it was caught by Stanley to score under the posts. Stanley added two second half conversions and replacement Jake Barrand one to secure the win and move to joint top and trail Thurrock next visitors Letchworth by points difference, so the game on the 12th November is now the next big step in Thurrock quest for promotion. This week Thurrock have a week off in preparation for this game.

TEAM: Worster (Barrand 65m), Boshell, B.Stanley, M.Stanley, Farrell, Rudgeley, Cook, North, Keefe (S.Rate 55m), Bevans-Royston , Loka, Cooper-Hicks, Kyle Tucker, Garth Tucker (Russo 65m), Rettigan

Thurrock’s group was a without question the most competitive and every game could have gone either way but the Thurrock lads fought hard and showed true Thurrock spirit.

Thurrock managed to go through to the final by most points scored in the group. The Final was against Heathfield from East Sussex who were a very well drilled team and at half time neither team had managed to cross the line due to some ferocious tackling from both sides.

The second half started with the same intensity but Thurrock were beginning to build the pressure on the East Sussex team and gradually worked their way up to their try line.

In the final seconds of the game the ball came out of a ruck on the Thurrock side and the quick thinking of Edward Suddell went into the corner to give the T’s the win. Well done lads.