Despite losing 5 – 19, in a fiercely competetitive league fixture, there were more positives than negatives to take from the game.
Thurrock fielded a full team with few playing out of position and welcomed a number of new players to the squad, with Andy Robinson, Barry Page, Micky Gola Jnr and Blaine Daly making their debut for the 4th team, with Jesse Johal making his first start for many a year.
They also welcomed back Thurrock stalwart Pat Gard, who will be literally collecting his bus pass next January?!
Upminster started by far the better and, following a speculative kick ahead and with the ball hacked through from a misfield, Upminster scored under the posts – and duly converted to go 0 – 7 up.
This galvanised Thurrock into several periods of attacking play, but the wrong option was chosen, the ball went down or was turned over at the last minute.
Against the run of play, Upminster managed a breakaway try to score out wide, which again was converted. Thurrock now trailed 0 – 14 at half time.
Thurrock then made several substitutions some 10 minutes into play and the Thurrock forwards then took some control. This resulted in Andy Coleman being driven over following a line out catch and drive. The conversion failed.
Thurrock forwards again dominated and were constantly pushing forward and were denied several scores by Upminster’s excellent defence – and a bit of good luck. Upminster then gained a another breakaway try to put the result beyond Thurrock, though to their credit they battled to the very end.
Thurrock are away in the League to Southend next week.
