Thurrock 62, East London 16

THERE were scenes of great celebrations at Oakfield this afternoon (Saturday, 29 November) when iconic Thurrock RFC player Nat Farrell celebrated his 200^th game for the club with a hat-trick of tries.

Thurrock went on a scoring spree in the second half after a pulsating first half when both Essex Counties One sides traded scoring punches.

Thurrock made a great start, getting the ball into the corner and winning a line-out from which they gained possession and drove over, though it wasn't clear who got the ball down. Jake Barrand delivered a superb conversion.

East London thought they had crossed the line for an immediate response, but Thurrock held them up over the line. The ref brought play back for an earlier penalty and Fabio Ogunfowora popped it over from in front of the posts.

Thurrock wasted little time in extending the lead.

They kept possession well and kicked with intent, forcing another line-out near the corner from which the forwards once again mounted a push and Malachy Watts-Adams had the final momentum as he touched down. Barrand struck the conversion well from out wide, but this time it drifted just wide.

The resilience of East London came to the fore again and within minutes they had a try back, captain Ogunfowora turning over the ball and quickly releasing Niall O'Shea who raced half the length of the pitch to score in the corner. The conversion drifted left of the target.

The free scoring continued with Thurrock's third try just before the 20 minute mark when they regained possession in loose play and quickly spun the ball along the line until it reached Barrand who shrugged off a tackle and took the ball over. His left-footed conversion struck the right post and dropped over the add the extras and take the score to 19-8.

That 11 point lead was short-lived. Five minutes later East London worked a trick play from a line-out close to the line and Zac Millhouse dived over as Thurrock were caught napping. Ogunfowora, whose smart kick had given the visitors such good line-out position, was unable to convert as his well-struck kick drifted right this time.

However, Ogunfowora made no mistake 33 minutes in when he calmly popped over a penalty to make the margin just three points.

In the closing moments of the half East London captain and full back Ben Clare was given a yellow card when his attempt to intercept ended in what was interpreted by an intentional knock-on. Thurrock kicked the subsequent penalty to the corner and from the line out their forwards' strong maul saw then drive over, with Malachy Watts-Adams getting the ball down. Barrand's kick drifted wide and at half time it was 24-16.

There was elation in the Thurrock camp eight minutes into the second half when, having weathered a spell of pressure from East London's 14 players, the hosts counter attacked and the ball went wide at speed, landing in the hands of Farrell and he shrugged off a challenge to race over and plant the ball for a try. The conversion drifted wide.

And more joy was to follow for Farrell halfway through the second half when a surging run by Grant Scott took the game deep into the East London 22 where a penalty for a high tackle was conceded. Thurrock tapped quickly and moved the ball to the right where a grateful Farrell grabbed it and dove over for his second . Again, Barrand was unable to add the extras but at 34-16 Thurrock were well in command.

Things improved even more, soon after. From the restart Thurrock returned the ball deep into East London territory and after a couple of strong drives Worster's clever chip kick was chased down by Caolan Watts-Adams who went over in the corner. This time Barrand produced an excellent strike to add the extras.

The Oakfield crowd where cheering and urging Farrell to get a hat-trick try and it looked on but he showed his unselfish nature, taking a tackle and offloading to Grant Scott who went over as the scoring spree continued. Barrand delivered another superb conversion.

And, to scenes of great celebration the magic moment came soon after when another burst of pressure put East London on the back foot and Farrell raced through a gap to put the ball down for his third try - through his energetic double summersault of celebration almost went awry when he failed to deliver a solid landing and he slipped to the floor - thankfully he was OK and Barrand added to the moment with another successful kick, making it 55-16.

East London were shattered and it was to get worse for them when their defence caved in and Barrand outpaced everyone to run the ball in - converting his own kick to complete the scoring and an afternoon likely to live long in the memory and celebrations long into the night!