Thurrock 67, Norwich 0

"So now the floodgates are open to the delight of pure form, whatever its origin. Anything goes."

WITH much of the country suffering under the deluge of Storm Henk, Thurrock's amazing ground staff, once again prepared one of the best playing surfaces in the country.

A much-depleted Thurrock team had disappointingly struggled against league leaders Southend last time out, but this team was certainly on "the road to redemption" and set off at a tremendous pace, putting pressure on the Luke Littleresque Norwich pack.

The front row of Harry Clarke, Lawrence Brown and Ant Catchpole were rampant in the loose with Câolan Watts-Adams and Dritan Loka eager to get their hands on the ball.

Skipper Ben Timson burst through the opposition ranks with power and finesse finding Kodie Holloway and Dan Ulph in support.

Alex Jones was looking sprightly as he brought speed and fluidity to proceedings.

Thurrock soon opened their account after a Timson charge down and a "softening - up" process from broad-shouldered centres Niall Clifford and Henry Bird.

Watts-Adams frequently appeared in mid field and sent a lovely pass to flanker Kodie Holloway to open the scoring.

Another Watts-Adams incursion and delightful off-load to Holloway saw full-back Harry Reynolds breach the defence for the second.

Having missed the Southend game, Watts-Adams was having a field day.

Straight from the kick- off, the second row collected the ball, threw half a dummy and wrong-footed the defence, before throwing the perfect pass to Kye Holloway whose pace was too much for the Norwich defence. Blake Burns converted from half way out.

Burns himself made a determined surge for the line before the ball went through several pairs of hands and landed at the feet of Harry Reynolds. Demonstrating his footballing skills, he dribbled over the line to double his account.

With the splendid Rhys Cotter taking a sabbatical, the outstanding Harry Reynolds moved to full-back. It proved seamless. Fielding a loose kick near his own 22, Reynolds side-stepped the first defender before accelerating outside several others, before being momentarily halted by a desperate last-ditch tackle.

Not to be denied one of the tries of the season, Rob Murphy had followed all the way, won the breakdown, and fed Reynolds the coup de grace that the passage deserved.

After Henry Bird had brushed off a couple of defenders, Kye Holloway was left with a modicum of space to make a mazy, stepping run which saw the winger weave his way to the try-line with the skill of a Lancashire mill- worker; another beauty!

With Timson, Clifford and Bird driving holes through the heart of the defence, it was surprising that there was a fallow period until the second half.

Thurrock had fielded a very strong bench and Jay Jennings joined returning Kiwi, Jamie Orr and Angus Poole in revitalising proceedings.

With a brace of yellow cards, the scoring dried up for a while ,but strong carrying by Clarke, Loka and Brown set good field position for the three-quarters to feed the muscular Angus Poole who was unstoppable from fifteen metres out.

As Norwich tried desperately to get something on the scoreboard they were repelled by thumping tackles from Reynolds and Orr.

A scrum in the middle of the field, allowed Alex Jones to send Harry Reynolds away on another wonderful run that was thwarted by a last- ditch tackle.

With a penalty in front of the posts, Ben Timson was the quickest to respond, tapped the ball to himself and surged over the line.

From the restart, Catchpole gathered superbly and stole through a chasm to set up an immediate chance.

A well-orchestrated line-out ploy ensured that Jamie Orr made a welcome return to these shores.

The last few minutes saw a great act of sportsmanship, with Harry Reynolds scoring his fourth try before passing to Kye Holloway over the line to allow the winger his hat-trick.

This had been the Oakfielders' most consistent  performance of the season with the whole team quite outstanding, it certainly washed away the memories of below-par performance the previous game.

This was a record victory over Norwich, with some glorious tries which will live long in the memory. It can be watched via this link.

It is important to mention the outstanding work of cameraman, Marco Diana, who stood in brilliantly for the absent commentator!

Now it is time for Thurrock to "move on"!

The club, which features in the latest edition of Rugby Club magazine, has amazing facilities, the envy of the country. It has the unique pathways provided by its partnership with the South-West Essex Community Education Trust and its own Rugby Academy.

If you would like a copy contact the Club through its website.

Rugby is thriving at every level. With the advent of the Six Nations Tournaments, now is the time to aim highest!

"If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things!"- Albert Einstein.

T-Birds complete good weekend.

THURROCK T-Birds bounced back from their pre-Christmas defeat against Old Albanians to defeat current Women's Championship South champions Bath in a highly entertaining match at Oakfield on Saturday, played out in the teeth of a chilling wind.

Watch the T-Birds' win via the above link.