Thurrock 17, Old Colfeians 14

AT the 15th time of asking, Thurrock finally got a first win of season in the London & South East Regional 2 South East.

The clash at Oakfield was switched to the club's artificial pitch and while the cold was biting, the sun shone and Thurrock delivered the performance to delight their supporters.

Things didn't start too well as, in the fourth minute, Thurrock's backs carelessly gave the ball away with a fumble and a drop that the visitors capitalised on, running the ball in from around the 22 and Jack Griffiths touched down under the posts. Ryan Napper converted.

Undaunted, Thurrock responded well and pressure won them a line-up from which a drive enbded with Kodie Holloway grounding the ball to open up the hosts' account. 

Harry Reynolds' conversion came back off the post.

Ten minutes later Reynolds did get on the scoresheet, diving over at the end of a crossfield passing move to put Tees into a 10-7 lead, though again he missed the conversion. 

That's how the score stood at half time.

It was to be Old Colfeians who were next to score, five minutes after the restart when Charlie Nagel finished off a surging run down the left flank involving several players. The conversion was successful. 

The lead was to change hands for a final time 15 minutes into the half when an interception on the halfaway line saw Thurrock go onto the attack and Reynolds was on hand to finish the counter attack wide out on the right - and he then produced an excellent conversion to extend the gap.

From then on it was about grinding out the long-awaited result with some resolute defending and Tees had to endure four minutes of time as the clock ticked past 80 minutes but they ended the match on the attack, watching the final seconds tick away by retaining possession until the final whistle sounded. 

You can watch the whole match here: