Epping Upper Clapton 25, Thurrock 23

A big top-of-the-table clash on Saturday (February 28) saw Thurrock defeated for the first time in the London and South East Counties Division One this season, with Epping leapfrogging T's to take top spot.

Played in front of a large crowd, Epping took the lead after just five minutes. Sustained pressure inside the Thurrock 22 resulted in a penalty which fly-half Danny Smith calmly slotted to give the home side an early 3–0 advantage.

Thurrock had an immediate opportunity to respond. A strong attacking platform deep in the Epping half saw Tees earn a lineout just five metres out, but the home side defended well to disrupt the set piece and clear their lines.

Epping continued to keep the pressure on Thurrock, helped partly by Tees' indiscipline but also by an impressive territorial kicking game from Smith that repeatedly forced Thurrock back into their own half.

Tees had a chance to draw level on 25 minutes when Jake Barrand stepped up for a penalty attempt. His effort drifted narrowly wide of the uprights. Confusion followed when the referee elected to bring play back for a scrum rather than awarding the usual 22-metre drop-out, allowing Epping to regain possession and relieve the pressure.

Epping would soon claim the first try of the afternoon as a neat move through the centres saw outside centre Carly Buisson break the Thurrock line before rounding Darryl Worster to touch down under the posts. Smith added the straightforward conversion to extend the lead.

Thurrock were handed a reprieve on 34 minutes when Epping number eight Connor Reynolds was shown a yellow card for a no-arms tackle. Tees opted to turn down two kickable penalties in favour of pushing for their first try of the afternoon, but the seven-man Epping pack held firm and managed to repel the Thurrock driving maul on both occasions.

Thurrock's frustrations in the first half continued moments later when Epping won a scrum against the head deep in their own half and launched a counterattack down the field. With Tees scrambling in defence, Caolan Watts-Adams was shown a yellow card for cynical play. Epping took advantage of the extra space with Danny Smith adding another penalty to stretch the home side's lead to 13–0 heading into the break.

Thurrock came flying out of the traps after half time. Following strong carries from Jack Cowman and Barrand, the ball was moved wide where Worster finished superbly in the far-right corner just a minute into the second half. Barrand then stepped up and nailed a huge touchline conversion to bring Tees right back into the contest.

Barrand's boot would become a major factor as the half progressed. A massive touch finder from the winger gave Thurrock excellent field position deep in the Epping half. Tees were soon awarded another penalty, but Barrand was again narrowly off target. Once more, the referee brought play back for a scrum rather than awarding the usual 22-metre drop-out, much to the bewilderment of the crowd.

Epping centre Buisson continued to cause problems for the Thurrock defence and made another dangerous break, though the home side were unfortunate to knock the ball on just metres from the line.

The play also saw Thurrock dealt a blow as Ross O'Brien was forced off with a dislocated shoulder. He was replaced by former Colts captain Joe Reynolds, younger brother of Harry, who made his league debut after a series of impressive performances for the 2nd XV in recent weeks. Frank Wright also entered the fray for his first appearance for Tees in a number of years.

Thurrock soon added to their tally when Barrand slotted a penalty to reduce the deficit to 13–10.

The visitors continued to pile on the pressure and from a well-worked lineout move they struck again. Breaking blind from the set piece, the ball found Worster, who crossed for his second try of the afternoon to give Thurrock the lead for the first time. Barrand once again produced a sublime conversion from the touchline to put T's four points in front.

Barrand would extend Thurrock's lead to seven points on 67 minutes as he calmly slotted another penalty to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Epping, however, would soon draw level. A knock-on from Thurrock inside their own 22 led to a controversial moment when the referee deemed the infringement prevented a probable try and awarded the hosts a penalty try, with Reynolds also receiving a yellow card for his troubles.

Tees refused to be deterred and quickly worked their way back up the field. Barrand again stepped up to the tee and added another penalty to restore Thurrock's advantage.

But Epping would have the final say. With just minutes remaining, a midfield scrum provided the platform for the home side. Their lively fullback Tony Bly spotted space behind the Thurrock defence, chipped ahead and regathered brilliantly before diving over in the corner to give Epping a two-point lead.

The breathless second half still had one final twist. In a role reversal from the earlier fixture between the sides at Oakfield, Barrand had an opportunity to snatch victory for Thurrock with a long-range penalty attempt from halfway. The effort drifted wide of the posts, allowing Epping to sneak the win in a match worthy of its top-of-the-table billing.

Despite suffering their first league defeat of the season, Thurrock remain firmly in the hunt. Tees now sit second in Counties 1 Essex, with a game in hand over Epping, meaning the title race remains firmly in their own hands.

You can watch the match in full via this link:-

Next week Thurrock return to Oakfield as they host Maldon, while the 2nd XV make the short trip to Palmers to take on Pegasus Palmerians in an Essex Division One derby.