LONDON 1 (N) COLCHESTER 34 v 37 THURROCK 37
THURROCK travelled to blustery Colchester to fulfil their twice postponed fixture due to the recent bad weather. In a pulsating, ding-dong battle, top played second place. Thurrock played into a strong wind for the first half, and opened brightly but it was Colchester who took the lead with a penalty. Thurrock’s forwards started to take control and after some great rolling mauls, one of which rumbled for over 20 metres, they deservedly gave T’s the lead, when first Ben Timson, and then Stefan North went over for tries. Frankie Neale slotted one of the conversions from wide out and against the wind, for T’s to lead 12-3.
The visitors looked quite comfortable until midway through the half, but the Colchester backs started to cause trouble. Some poor tackling, a series of penalties, and a sin binning for Bevans-Royston, all contrived to allow a great Colchester revival. A successful penalty kick was shortly followed by a converted try out wide.
Colchester were now in full flow, and continued pressure resulted in a drop goal. A poor pass in a defensive mix-up, then allowed the home side to scamper over for another try, which was converted by Vine. So half time was reached at 24-12 to the home side.
Thurrock coach Jamie Daisley’s half time ‘words of clarification’ with the referee, and his subsequent team talk, seemed to work wonders for the visitors. Now playing with the strong wind behind them, and having cut out the constant infringments, the forwards began to dominate once again. Early pressure saw Mike Stanley score after a strong run in which he fended off several attempted tackles. Neale obliged with the conversion.
Thurrock brought the scores level again after the home side kicked out of defence straight to a waiting Darryl Worster whose great take and strong run through the middle of the defence resulted in a supporting Timson’s second try. Neale again added the extras for lead, 24-26. It was not held for long, as back came Colchester with a penalty kick.
Gorman replaced Rudgely with fifteen to go and duly made his presence felt in midfield. A great skilful jinking run by Neale, also saw him use his power as he finally crashed over the line with several opposition players on him. He also added the conversion for the lead to change yet again. 27- 34. Colchester put some late pressure on the visitors, resulting in a try which Vine duly converted, but a penalty by Neale saw Thurrock through to the end.
A great win sees Thurrock 13 pts clear at the top of the league with six to play.
TEAM: Worster, Boshell, B.Stanley, M.Stanley, Neale, Rudgley (Gorman 65m), Cook, North, Durrance, Bevans-Royston, Loka, Cooper-Hicks, Timson, Russo, Flavin
This week Thurrock travel to HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM . Kick off at Hurlingham Park is at 2.30pm. Coach leaves at 10.30
