Campion 13, Thurrock 31

THURROCK extended their lead at the top of Counties 1 Essex to 11 points with a bonus-point victory over a determined Campion side, in a physical contest that demanded patience, accuracy, and resilience.

The perfect opening came in just the second minute, as Thurrock's forwards asserted early dominance with a powerful driving maul. Jack Cowman was the one to crash over for the opener, though Jake Barrand's conversion drifted wide.

Campion responded well and slotted a seventh-minute penalty, narrowing the gap and settling into the contest.

The game's next major moment belonged to debutant Leo McCarthy, son of former club captain Paul McCarthy. After a flowing multi-phase attack, Caolan Watts-Adams produced a clever offload in contact, releasing McCarthy to dive over in the corner for a memorable first senior try. Barrand nailed the touchline conversion to push Tees ahead.

 Thurrock's third try came on 32 minutes, with captain Kodie Holloway picking from a ruck near halfway and showing impressive pace to beat the scrambling defence. Barrand added the extras.

Campion, however, hit back before the break with a well-worked try from a driving maul, rewarding a spell of pressure. There was still time for Holloway to see yellow in the closing moments of the half.

Campion carried their momentum into the second half, dominating possession as Thurrock struggled for rhythm amid repeated penalties. The visitors deservedly crossed for their second try on 58 minutes, reducing the margin to just six points and swinging the momentum firmly their way.

That score finally sparked Thurrock into life. With greater control and discipline, the visitors began to impose themselves again.

After sustained forward carries, Caolan Watts-Adams was able to finish clinically out wide. Barrand showed his class from the touchline once again, converting to secure the bonus-point try.

 Tees struck again shortly after. Barrand delivered a pinpoint cross-field kick to Jake Jones, who raced down the touchline. Though the cover defence halted him, Jones produced a brilliant offload from the floor to Holloway, who powered through a defender to score his second of the day. Barrand's conversion narrowly missed.

There was still time for more discipline issues, with Ahmed Aminu and Jake Jones both sent to the sin bin for repeated team infringements. Campion pushed hard with the numerical advantage, but Thurrock's defence held firm, eventually forcing a turnover and kicking the ball dead to seal the win.

This was another performance of that showed Thurrock's resolve. Things didn't always go their way, but they found a way to halt the oppositions momentum and delivered another bonus point performance. Charlie Chitty delivered a standout display at fly-half, tackling relentlessly and working tirelessly throughout whilet Kodie Holloway, despite a yellow card, was at his destructive best and a constant nuisance to Campion.

Young Leo McCarthy impressed on debut with several dominant midfield tackles and a well-taken try and Alex Jones, making his first appearance since April 2024 and adding to his 160 caps, brought experience and composure to the side when it was needed most in the 2nd half.

A gritty, hard-earned win — and a statement performance as Thurrock continue to set the pace in Counties 1 Essex.

You can watch the match back here:-

The next senior action at Oakfield sees the Seconds take on Palmers Pegasus next Saturday (17 January) while the 1st XV are back in action on 24 January when they travel to Billericay.

*WHILE Thurrock were in celebratory mode, borough rivals Stanford were left in the doldrums after a 51-0 home defeat at the hands of Billericay.