Rugby: Thurrock 16 v 27 Barnes
THE WINTER weather descended on Oakfield on Saturday and played a major part in the result although Thurrock can only take part of the blame for a rather lacklustre first half performance. The playing surface already wet was made worse by the snow falling during the game. The visitors set there stool out early in the game keeping the ball close to hand for long periods of play hardly moving the ball outside the fly half, but there hardworking forwards were rewarded with three tries only one of which was converted. However Thurrock did keep on the score sheet thanks to the reliable boot of Frankie Neale who landed a penalty.
Thurrock had the worst possible start to the half, a dropped kick off put Thurrock on the back foot and a period of pressure resulted in a penalty try following a series of penalty infringements at scrum 5 metres out, the kick in front of the posts was converted.
Thurrock made two changes when Joe Jones and Jamie Hulse making his debut replaced Charlie Russo and Christian Rate now came into the ascendancy, and Hulse doing well in close areas. Neale again added another penalty and then started to dominate the game keeping Barnes pinned in their own half, and were rewarded for their new found effort when Jones took a quick tap penalty to score wide out, making an immediate impact, James Kellard then bulldozed his way over to make thing interesting, although both conversions were narrowly missed from wide out by Neale Thurrock looked for another score to earn a deserved point but a charged down kick and infringement at the resultant breakdown gave the Barnes full back an easy penalty kick to stretch the lead again.
Thurrock still had one last opportunity in attack but a wayward pass see the ball go behind an attacking player and into touch the referee signalled an end to a spirited game in treacherous conditions as both teams needed a round of applause for the gallant efforts.
TEAM: Neale, Farrell, Gorman, Burcham, Hardy, Sullivan, Cook (Bedding 40m), Rate (Hulse), Carey, Bevans-Royston, Flavin, Loka, Kellard, Russo (Jones 59m) Retigan
Thurrock next game is after Easter when they are AWAY to TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS on Saturday 6th April, kick off is 3pm
