Rugby
Thurrock 33 v 23 Ruislip
THURROCK’S first home game of the season proved to be an exciting affair and barely had the VPs risen from their lunch the home side were 7-0 down, direct from the kick off Thurrock knocked on the ball went straight to he hands of visiting scrum half Pearham spun the ball wide and winger Reed went over, the former then added the conversion from wide out.
The visitors boosted in confidence by a perfect start and kept the home side in their own half, a quick tapped penalty caught Thurrock’s 10 Hagen Mumba not 10 yards and the referee sent him to the bin for 10 mins from the penalty Pearham extended the lead and then made most of the one man advantage when he jinked his way over to extend the lead to 17-0 then he added a further penalty and Thurrock were looking down the barrel at 20-0
But Thurrock started to throw caution to the wind and it looked as if it was not going to be the home sides day when they failed to take advantage of a three man overlap and a certain try, went begging. But Thurrock managed to win the line out and fantastic kick across the field let Jake Barrand win the race to touch down at last Thurrrock were on the score sheet, but with the last kick of the half Pearham again extended the lead to 23-5.
There was an advantage of a breeze that didn’t seem that important but it certainly helped to change the whole game and despite losing influential no 8 Braleigh Retigan with a badly cut mouth,Thurrock looked a different side and started the half well when Jake Barrand got his second try, Mumba was just wide again with his conversion. Another fine run from Barrand who was enjoying a good afternoon ended with a pass to Charlie Russo who sprinted to score near the posts, this time Mumba added the conversion and in no time at all Thurrock were in touching distance.
It was now all Thurrock whose new found confidence were on the fron foot and it was Mumba who sprinted over to score and his conversion put the home side into the lead. the home side now with a bonus started to find another score to put the game to bed and it was Marcus Spremulli deputising at full back who sprinted in behind the posts, Mumba’s conversion meant they now led by 10 points and completed a magnificent turn around.
