Thurrock began this match with a strong wind behind them and playing down the heavily sloping pitch at Brentwood.
The early exchanges were very even and Brentwood defended well after some strong runs from the Thurrock backs. A well struck penalty from 35metres, by Mark Brandon opened the scoring, after an infringement by the home side’s forwards.
T’s had the large percentage of the possession and looked like scoring on a couple of occasions, one after a fine break by Worster, only for the final pass to go astray.
Brandon added a second and third penalty, but the Brentwood defence held firm.
Thurrock had to defend the last few minutes of the first half after a breakaway, well supported, nearly resulted in a home side try.
With the score at 9 – 0 at half time some of the faithful band of away supporters were wondering if that would be enough of a lead, against the wind and slope. T’s, however continued to run the ball at almost every opportunity, with Ben Stanley making some great runs to torment the home side defence.
Brentwood were lucky to escape the yellow card, after a series of penalties for offside spoiled almost every Thurrock attack. One of them was close enough for Brandon to add his fourth penalty, but still T’s could not cross the line.
The game started to get a bit fractious, with the ref still not issuing the card, despite several warnings and more penalties for offside. Debutante Jack Barrand, fresh out of the colts, on the wing, was asked to take a penalty after yet another offside. He duly kept his nerve and slotted the kick.
Brentwood came at Thurrock fiercely in the last ten minutes, during which time Thurrock’s Earl Gorman was ironically binned for offside, and saw the referee having to step in to break up several scuffles. However, fine tackling and defence kept them out until the final whistle.
Still, with quite a few regulars injured and deputies really stepping up to the mark, it was a good solid win for Thurrock in a game that was dominated by the defences.
TEAM: Worster, Stanley, Gorman, Madden (Barrand) , Farrell, Rudgely, Brandon(Bedding), North, Stevens (Love), Rate S, Herrington, Flavin, Crowhurst, Timson, Retigan
This Saturday Thurrock are at away to SIDCUP, kick off will be 2.30pm
