Norwich 26, Thurrock 20

THURROCK made the long journey to Norwich on Saturday, boosted by Ben Stanley's 150th appearance for the Oakfielders, but still reeling from a further seven changes to personnel.

This is a young, exciting team that Martin Jones and the coaching team are building for the future and here is no doubt that the club is set fair for future generations. With several key players returning in the next couple of weeks, there should be a spectacular upturn in results.

In the mean time, the team continues to finish strongly, but for one reason or another can't quite produce that elusive victory.

Thurrock hadn't played Norwich for ten years and it was good to see old friends such as former Thurrock winger and Norwich President Phil Peggs at Beeston Hyrne. A President's Lunch preceded the game and the pitch looked resplendent in the autumn sunshine as Theo Elliott kicked off.

After an early Thurrock foray following Owen Taylor's clean catch, suddenly the Norwich backs swung into action. A fine miss move saw full-back Llywellyn Bailey breach the defence to send left winger Stuart Martin in for an early try. Elliott added the extras.

Thurrock then gained a foothold in the game with a fine run from Rob Murphy almost putting the hamstrung Lewis Cross over in the corner. Dritan Loka and Caolan Watts-Adams were beginning to dominate the line-out and from a clever set-piece, a jubilant Frank Wright drove over to open Thurrock's account. Although Matt Siddle could not convert a few minutes later, he opened his account with a penalty to put the visitors ahead.

Just as Thurrock were getting into their stride, a couple of shrewd counter attacks orchestrated by fly-half Elliott paid dividends for the Norfolk team. With winger Martin and centre Johnny Wheater being the major beneficiaries, Norwich stretched into what appeared to be an unassailable lead.

Thurrock had their chance, particularly after strong tackling by Charlie Russo and Ben Stanley led to a break-out by the ever-powerful, Henry Bird. Indeed Bird regathered his own kick close to the line, only to be denied as the support arrived too late to win the subsequent ruck.

With Thurrock now in familiar "catch-up" territory, the forwards were starting to dominate. This pack is huge and has the potential to upstage any in the League, but the confidence seems to arrive too late! As the visitors started to play to their strength the final outcome hung in the balance.

A driving maul brought a try for evergreen Anthony Catchpole and with repeated hard driving runs from captain Russo and the outstanding Ben Timson, a late resurgence could have completed the comeback. With time running out, Thurrock were only denied by a strange decision: as the forwards were attacking the posts, the referee blew up because of a melee which had erupted close to the touchline. This untimely intervention probably cost the game as the resulting scrum was of little advantage compared to the strong possibility of another try!

With the very last play, Thurrock salvaged a bonus point when their pressure paid off and a delightful pass by Ben Timson put Rob Murphy over.

This had been a day of mixed fortunes for Thurrock and certainly not what Ben Stanley wanted on his special day. This outstanding clubman helps coach the minis, the schools and the Academy as well as heading up the Media department! At least Norwich announced that he was Thurrock's man of the match !

We all know there are better days ahead and Thurrock have the opportunity to return to winning ways against Harpenden on Saturday at 3pm.