Barking 24 v 26 Thurrock
THIS local derby as expected proved to be a close run affair with Thurrock just edging the spoils despite Barking lowly position they were first on the score sheet when winger Lemack went over unopposed it was well converted by Ratford. Thurrock had the better of the exchanges in the next minutes but lose ball at the base of the scrum well inside the home sides half was collected by Barking scrum half who fed full back Barham to run fully 60 metres to score in the corner.
So within 15 minutes Thurrock found themselves trailing 12-0 and unable to put any phases together, but on the 20 minutes mark Nathan Farrell found himself in space and went over close to the posts, allowing Jake Barrand to easily convert Just five minutes later James Flavin got the visitors level but the conversion was slightly adrift. Neither side could get a grip on the match, but it was the home side just a minute from the break gave them the lead with a try from Driver
So Thurrock found themselves trailing at the break and knew they had to change tactics a little, in the second half and it Farrell again who scored the easiest of tries after a Frankie Neale chip to find the unmarked winger who waltzed under the posts, Barrand added the conversion to put Thurrock ahead for the first time at 19-17 Thurrock huff and puffed and a Barrand penalty was just wide to give Thurrock some breathing space, but the visiting supporters were rewarded when after many phases of pressure Jonathon Skelton went over and Barrand conversion put them 9 points ahead with less than 5 minutes to play.
But Barking had other ideas and Lemack scored a bonus point try, converted by Ratford, to give a closer look to the score line
This week Thurrock are Home to TRING KICK AT Oakfield will be 3pm
