Thurrock slipped to their second consecutive defeat at Eltham Lane on Saturday. On a grey dark day Thurrock quickly found themselves 14-0 down conceding two converted tries within the first 20 minutes, both very soft from a Thurrock perspective. This spurred the visitors on and within five minutes were on the score sheet as good hands by the backs gave Darryl Worster the chance score wide out, this was followed by a try from a lineout when Bradleigh Rettigan took good ball at the front of the line and Dritan Loka stormed round to score his first ever try for the club. Things looked even better for Thurrock when close to the break Sam Porter rounded off a good 20 minute spell with another well taken try. The only blot was that all three tries went unconverted with Mark Brandon close on all of his attempts.
Thurrock took this slender lead of 15-14 and in the opening exchanges looked the more likely but when a kick forward from Colfeians was adjudged to carried over the line the home side was awarded a five yard scrum, and from this pressure the forwards battered over again to regain the lead, although the conversion was missed a penalty soon after from 40 metres extended their lead. Thurrock however were not finished looking to run the ball from deep they found space for Nathan Farrell to sprint over 60 metres beating the cover defence to score under the posts, Brandon added the conversion now only 2 points separated the two sides entering into the 10 minutes of the game.
However it was at this point the home side played keep ball and with Thurrock chasing the game waited for Thurrock to make errors, and the game was put to bed when from another catch and drive ended with an unconverted forward try wide out. Thurrock were in line for 2 bonus points after scoring 4 tries, and still being within 7 points, but the final bitter pill when Thurrock was penalised 40 metres out for not releasing the ball and the home side full back landed the penalty in agonising circumstances for Thurrock. It was yet another learning curve against a streetwise outfit.
TEAM: Worster, Farrell, Stanley, Gorman (Rudgely 67m), Porter (McDonald 49m), Madden, Brandon, North, Carey, Rate C, Banks, Loka (Woodward 60m), Crowhurst Timson, Rettigan
This week Thurrock host ETON MANOR AT Oakfield , kick off will be 3.00pm
