Thurrock’s champion’s status was pushed all the way by a very committed Chelmsford side that are fighting to survive in this division. The home side helped by the inclement weather and a very heavy undulating Coronation Park pitch. The match was a very scrappy affair all the way through the afternoon, and any decent rugby came from the visitors, but some unusual errors crept into the Thurrock play at crucial times and it was left to a great break from Jamie Reid who scythed through the Chelmsford defence and a perfectly timed pass to Earl Gorman see him go over close to the posts, Reid added the conversion for the only score of the first half.
Any suggestion that the home team would tire in the second half, were ill judged as they still made life very difficult for Thurrock, although most of the offensive play still come from the visitors, Chelmsford started to counter attack when possible and looked to put Thurrock on the back foot. However it was the visitors who eventually broke through again when Aaron Woodward was on the end of a good phase of play to score in the corner. Reid was short with his conversion attempt, to keep the score at 12-0. Bradleigh Rettigan then had a try under the posts disallowed, only the referee will know why, and a defensive 5 metre scrum followed which come to no avail.
Chelmsford then had their best passage of play and from game of ping –pong with ball of players legs and arms a home player latched on to score, the conversion was narrowly missed but this buoyed the home side and its supporters now within touching distance of a much needed victory. But Thurrock had other ideas and when Nathan Farrell went over for the crucial score, Jamie Reid adding the conversion to continue Thurrock’s unbeaten run.
Team Darryl Worster, James Reid ,Earl Gorman, Ben Stanley,Nathan Farrell, Ian Rudgely, Andy Eaton, Dave Stevens, Dan Carey, Ben Partridge, Andy Kettleton, Aaron Woodward, Rob Batho, Tom Howells, Brad Rettigan Rep: Sam Porter, Stefan North, Jamie Daisley
This Week Thurrock entertain HARLOW in front of the final VP Dinner of the season, kick off at Oakfield is 3.00pm
