Brentwood 29, Thurrock 21

BRENTWOOD just about managed to hold on against a spirited Thurrock in a committed London One North encounter at King George's Field on Saturday (26 March).

Thurrock had won the reverse fixture earlier on the year and were on a good run of form.

These local derbies are usually hard-fought and this would prove no different. There was a lot at stake with former Campion team-mates Toby Tierney and Caolan Watts-Adams on opposite sides of the field.

Brentwood played up the slope and with the wind at their backs set left winger Alex Wilson free to make inroads behind the Thurrock defence. A deft inside pass saw a fine score in the corner. Fly-half, Jamie Cox couldn't add the extras, but was soon given the opportunity to extend the lead with a straightforward penalty.

Some muscular forward play from the Thurrock back-row of Ben Timson, Kodie Holloway and Charlie Russo, brought pressure and territorial advantage and Tom Worsfold was able to capitalise as a brace of penalties reduced the deficit.

The midfield trio of Niall Clifford, Henry Bird and Joss Nunn caused panic among the Brentwood backs, but a good contest was developing with Tyler Ford and Fraser Paris.

Against the run of play and after a yellow card, full- back, Ewan May found an outside edge and threw a neat dummy to move the scoreboard to 13-6.

Enter into the arena, Joss Nunn! This brilliant flanker is one of those natural converts to centre and, once again demonstrated his fire power with a coruscating break which ended in a try for the unstoppable Henry Bird.

This game was ebbing and flowing. Cox kicked a penalty and Bassinger added a try. It seemed that whenever Thurrock got up a "head of steam" an error would set them back and whenever Brentwood escaped into the Thurrock half, they scored.

Inevitably it was Henry Bird who put Thurrock back into the game by cutting a superb line and driving through the defence. Shortly after this Tom Worsfold ghosted into the line and a clever grubber kick saw the returning Rob Murphy appearing to score in the corner, but the absence of a TMO probably cost the match as Murphy seemed to have exerted downward pressure. Almost immediately, Brentwood restored their advantage with a try from right-wing Joe Gill.

Now it was all Thurrock! Attack after attack was just about thwarted before a splendid piece of enterprise saw Ahmed Aminou set up a grandstand finish. Alas Thurrock had run out of time. Unfortunately, this had been a game where momentum was never really achieved by either side and Thurrock were left frustrated that they had not been able to complete the double over their nearest rivals.

Nevertheless, the result was in doubt to the end and the Oakfielders can take comfort from their determination to prevail.

This Saturday (2 April) Thurrock entertain one of the founder members of The Rugby Football Union, Belsize Park for a 3pm kick off.

Thurrock Ladies have a major Championship clash with Old Albanians on Sunday also at Oakfield.