Thurrock 11, Old Haberdashers 29

THURROCK spurned several golden chances to defeat Old Haberdashers at Oakfield on Saturday in front of a bumper crowd of former players and captains.

A special dinner had been organised in order to rekindle memories of past glories. Former chairman Lew Hughes welcomed the "Old Boys" from Hertfordshire as well as 14 former captains.

Former lock Jon Langley, a real champion of the club, made a presentation of the No.4 jersey he had worn so proudly when Thurrock were crowned Essex champions in 1978.

Old Haberdashers are unique in the sense that they do not train together, neither do they have a coach. Emanating from the famous school, they play an exciting brand of rugby, which invariably gives the opposition a chance!

Haberdashers have schools all over the UK, one of the most famous being Monmouth School which counts among its alumni, that scourge of the English Keith Jarrett who scored one of Wales' greatest tries against England in 1967, and current broadcaster and ex Wales captain, Eddie Butler.

An offshoot is the West Mon. Haberdashers at Pontypool where Sir Anthony Hopkins was a student alongside Bryn Meredith and William Edwards' legend, John Price. More recent students include those great Welsh props, Graham Price and Mako Vunipola (although head groundsman and outstanding captain Clive Beynon, is more likely to remember David Games!)

On Saturday, the current Haberdashers travelled together from Borehamwood and initially, they seemed a little overawed as the home side battered their defences with wave after wave of attacks. Jake Barrand was putting in his usual quota of long, raking kicks and Dan Stone was testing the defence with some clever tactics.

Thurrock had three or four chances to establish an early lead, with Lewis Cross just pulled up close and Owen Taylor's kick ahead. After a chip by Stone, the former champion fly-half regathered before presenting a chance for Its Holloway to just miss out!

It was all Thurrock at this point, until the superb Jonathan Baths, who had played for Cambridge in the Varsity match, showed his undoubted class. Latching on to a loose kick Gatus accelerated beyond the scrambling defence before passing to right wing, Edward Jenkins. Just as it seemed that Jenkins would open the scoring, he was clattered into touch by a brilliant double tackle from Joss Nunn and Jake Barrand.

However, the full- back was not to be denied and another counter-attack, led by a sniping run by scrum-half, Gareth Jones sent the Old Boys deep into the Thurrock half. From a "kick and chase", Alex Jones was given a yellow card for obstruction. Thurrock sacrificed flanker Lawrence Brown and brought on Matt Siddle, but from the resultant line-out the home side were outflanked by Edward Jenkins to open the scoring. Ian McGhee failed to add the extras.

Shortly after the visitors made another incursion into the Thurrock half, with second row, Thomas Arnott crashing over. This time McGhee landed an excellent conversion. Thurrock had played much of the game in the opposition half, but repeatedly failed to capitalise. Nevertheless, the pressure allowed Jake Barrand to reduce the arrears with a couple of well struck penalties to go into the interval 12-6 behind.

The second-half continued much as the first, with Thurrock challenging the scoreboard, yet unable to capitalise on territory and possession. With some good line-out possession by young Jay Jennings, skipper Charlie Russo and Joss Nunn, vast inroads were made and there were some charging runs by Tani Loka, Dan Ulph, Ant Catchpole and Jack Cowman. Henry Bird was prominent on a couple of occasions, while the youth of Jack Cowman and Frank Wright hinted at a bright future! Yet the line could not be breached.

Almost inevitably, Haberdashers revived and centre Harry Briffitt chose a wonderful outside arc to split the defence for an outstanding score. McGhee added the extras before finishing off another clinical counter!

There was something of the "deja vu" about this game which has bedevilled Thurrock's season to date: they are dominating territory and possession only to be denied by an inability to punish their opponents in the "Red Zone",something that Director of Rugby, Martin Jones will no doubt be addressing with his coaching staff!

Of course, Thurrock never gave up, it's not in their DNA! They stormed back and ended the game on top and deserved the Alex Jones try after a long period of pressure. The final deficit somewhat flattered the Haberdashers, but they were outstanding visitors to Oakfield and thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality afforded in true rugby tradition!