Thurrock slipped to their heaviest league defeat since losing 36-0 at the hands of Chingford in November 2007, but it was not until the last quarter of the match they conceded 20 unanswered points did they crumble to defeat.
The journey was a nightmare due to traffic, only arriving 45 minutes before kick-off. But the game started with Thurrock electing to play uphill and a found themselves 5-0 down when the Ruislip player scored a try even though he dropped the ball over the line.
However Thurrock went straight back and Nat Farrell was given the chance to score wide out to bring the visitors level. The match deteriorated into a messy affair with penalties being conceded in all areas, mainly by the visitors as Thurrock conceded a further converted try and a penalty to trail 15-5 with the break approaching, but in injury time Aaron Burns landed a penalty with the last play of the half to see the half time score 15-8
Thurrock huffed and puffed but could not get into their normal rhythm with both sides defending well scoring chances were at minimum, but a break by Chris Banks see him interchange passes with Ian Rudgely who scored near the posts to give Burns the easiest of conversions to draw level.
Thurrock at this stage seemed to be the more likely and mounted another attack, from a cleanly won line out, the ball was quickly being moved in the backs, a Ruislip player was pulled back, off the ball, and Thurrock gave away yet another penalty which wasted that opportunity and Ruislip were able to clear deep up field as Thurrock conceded two further penalties to find themselves back in their own 22.
The turning point came from a five metre line out the Ruislip forwards catch and drove has they had done most of the afternoon, but Thurrock defended well to and held the ball up over the line, the whistle went and as the players started to get up the Ruislip played wriggled to put the ball down and the referee awarded a try to everyone’s amazement.
This contentious decision seemed to knock the confidence from Thurrock not help by a yellow card which meant they played last 10 minutes with only 14 men. In that period Thurrock conceded a penalty and two further tries which one was converted to complete which in the end turned out to be a comprehensive defeat.
TEAM: Worster, Farrell, Stanley, Madden (Gorman 50) Porter, Rudgely, Burns, North, Carey, Rate, Woodward, Banks, Batho, Crowhurst, Rettigan. Rep Keefe, Howells,
This week, Thurrock entertain WOODFORD Kick Off is 3.00 pm, at Oakfield
