Thurrock 32, Brentwood 48

"ALL good things must come to an end!" as the cliché goes, but there was no disgrace as , once again, the Oakfield crowd witnessed a pulsating game of epic proportions.

The word "Humdinger" is, as you might guess, American. "Hummer" is something that moves fast. "Dinger" means something special.

This local derby has always been something special since that memorable Essex Cup Final 50 years ago at the splendid Thames Board Mills' facility. The speed at which the lead changed hands as both sides transitioned from defence to attack was, on occasions, breathtaking!

Alex Jones led Thurrock on to the field to mark his 150th appearance in Thurrock colours. He had first appeared in a Thurrock shirt in the previous century and that is exactly the kind of loyalty and pride that director of rugby Martin Jones is trying to re-establish in this family orientated club. Yes, winning is important, but there are other key values which transcend sport!

Alex, although normally a scrum half, found himself in the less familiar role at 10 as the home side reorganised through the loss of several key players including Dan Stone, Jay Jennings and skipper Ben Timson.

In fairness, Brentwood were forced to compensate for the absence of their captain, James Vogel and fly-half, Jamie Cox, who had been Thurrock's tormentor in the reverse fixture.

Brentwood got off to a flying start, with Dan Suttle and James Killington working a clever line-out ploy to exploit a blind-side gap.

This hors d'ouevre was soon followed by the main course as the visitors started to dominate the collisions and turnovers.

A delightful package of inter-passing and support play sent Isaac Zibirige over to extend the lead. Ewan May obliged with a long-range conversion.

Zibirige and Alex Wilson were causing Thurrock real concern. Zibirige's brother plays in the Premiership and Brentwood's version is a real livewire.

This contest had been preceded by a Vice Presidents' Luncheon and President Brian Howells had promised an entertaining and high scoring game! How prophetic, as Thurrock came storming back.

Heavy duty carrying by Aaron Antrobus, Tom Wileman and James Rodger put the locals on the front foot. Successive line-out successes by Caolan Watts-Adams and Dritan Loka led to penalty infringements and at the back of a rolling maul, Lawrence Brown was able to grind out a much needed riposte. Hooker Brown has had a fine season and is proving to be a genuine asset to the club.

However, no sooner than Thurrock seemed to be adjusting to the heat of the encounter, Brentwood conjured an opportunity for captain Charlie Wilkinson which saw the luckless Rob Murphy prostrate on the ground requiring injury assessment.

Brentwood extended their lead and Thurrock extended their injury list; Murphy being replaced by the effervescent youth, Alfie Bailey.

This Thurrock team have a resilience and doggedness which enabled yet another fight back of Dunkirk proportions. When all seemed lost, exemplary tackling by Niall Clifford and Henry Bird rocked Brentwood and lifted the crowd.

The ball was quickly re-cycled, sped across the line to find the hands of Harry Reynolds. The young winger still had a lot to do, but glided between a couple of opponents before powering over in the corner.

This was Thurrock's opportunity to wrestle the initiative away as the momentum swung their way. Rhys Cotter was causing problems as he drifted into the line, making the 'extra man'!

Eddie Stevens was using his peripheral vision and threw a profusion of dummies which would have brought a handsome lead if the final pass had been collected. Time and again, the Oakfielders were frustrated by a misdirected pass or a handling error and the opening was closed.

You can watch the full match against Brentwood via this link.

The pressure began to tell and, after a series of uncontrollable thrusts, Antrobus was at the back of a driving maul that put Thurrock into the lead.

In spite of this and a few more attempts at titubation, their inabilty to capitalise during this period of pre-eminence was their undoing.

After the Antrobus try, Brentwood kicked off and a knock -on gifted them possession. Shortly afterwards another fine passage of play restored impetus and the lead through Sam Kendall. Full back Ewan May was adding the extras in another solid display with the boot that was taking the game away from Thurrock.

Nevertheless, Thurrock came storming back! Some good linking play involving Dan Ulph and Anthony Catchpole brought good field position. Surges from Clifford and Bird allowed Alex Jones to deliver some shrewd passes, before Rhys Cotter switched direction with a deft inside pass that saw Alfie Bailey scampering over for a maiden try and what a beauty it was too!

This levelled the scores. Thurrock endured a series of near misses, but Brentwood upped the tempo so much that referee, Matt Horne found his fitness levels tested!

Brentwood captain, Charlie Wilkinson, provided the seminal moment as he lacerated the home defence with power and precision for a spectacular grounding.

This was the beginning of the end as co- centre Luke Watson replicated the score.

Full back, Ewan May put the contest out of sight when he converted his own try.

This had been a "purple patch" in a dramatic encounter, but Thurrock's team spirit knows no bounds.

Frank Wright's introduction added ballast and control, with Angus Poole bringing direction as Niall Clifford posed a genuine threat at 10.

A set-piece move gave Harry Reynolds the chance to weave his way to the line, but now time was against Thurrock as they desperately tried to close the gap!

Last week's report had been about an escape reminiscent of Harry Houdini and now another Harry was doing his best to set up another audacious evasion of defeat.

Eddie Stevens, pressed into emergency cover at full- back recovered a long clearance and found Reynolds on his shoulder. The young winger set off on a breath-taking surge, picking off a trail of defenders with changes of pace and direction to complete a superb hat- trick! He had been asked by the coaches to score three tries and he duly obliged.

Sadly it was too little, too late. Brentwood had deserved their victory through their greater consistency and maximising their chances in the 'Red Zone'. They had been more clinical.

Thurrock were left contemplating what might have been. They had finally come unstuck in 2023, but should take comfort from having enjoyed the best unbeaten run in the country!

Next week provides the opportunity for Thurrock to test themselves against the very best as they travel away to League leaders, Letchworth Garden City.