Thurrock 10, Gravesend 25

THURROCK Mens Firsts' disappointing start to the season continued at Oakfierld on Saturday wheere the visitors from acros the Thames exxerted a second half grip on the Regional 2 South East clash.

The sides turned round with Gravesend 10-5 ahead and Thurrock very much in the match thanks to no 8 Ben Timson's try when he drove through the visiting defence following a line-out.

However, the match got away from them in the second half and they now have a weekend off to lick their wounds and prepare for a trip to Old Colfeians on Saturday, 12 October.

It is a real opportunity for Thurrock to break their losing run as their hosts are the only side below them in the table - also with just one point from their four fixtures.

You can watch the whole of Saturday's match at Oakfield, via this link.

Thurrock Seconds were at Wanstead Seconds in the Group 1 Automotive Essex Merit League Division One and went down 62-29 at Centenary Fields.

Ralph Henderson's match report:

Gravesend Edge Out Oldest Rivals

Thurrock 10, Gravesend 25

THESE two old clubs share a rivalry which was believed to date back to 1928 and the founding of Grays RFC.

That was until research showed that the originals had played Gravesendians in 1894!

Gravesend RFC emanated from the Grammar School and was called Gravesendians! Since their website suggests they were founded in 1929 maybe a little more research is needed south of the river!

Nevertheless games have usually been close and played in fine spirit as Gravesend were very successful in the Kent Cup and Thurrock seemingly perennial winners of Essex and Eastern Counties crowns.

Supporters enjoyed the ferry trip across the Thames and meeting up with the notorious" Beast of Gravesend", a great competitor, but genuine gentleman of rugby.

With Thurrock's re-emergence in South- East rugby both clubs were looking forward to the revivification of this age old contention and what a struggle it proved to be.

With the Chitty brothers at half back, debutant Lewis Squelch at hooker and new arrivals, Dan Libby and Jake O'Kill, all in good mettle, Thurrock stormed into the attack.

Squelch was desperately unlucky to lose the ball after a dynamic charge to the corner and all seemed set fair for a home victory.

Unfortunately the Oakfielders just failed to convert their early superiority into points and the visitors took the lead with a forward rumble of organisational excellence bringing the reward.

Enter the fray, Ben Timson.

Last year's captain won a loose ball at the back of the lineout and with a team-mate latching on drove over for a powerful riposte.

Gravesend had other thoughts and were boosted by a yellow card.

Charlie Chitty was kicking well on his debut, but a raft of changes led to a loss of continuity once again and Gravesend were not going to relax their grip on the game as they raced out to an unassailable lead.

Thurrock did come back onto the game when Harry Reynolds spotted a gap on the outside and sped through it for an excellent try.

This should have been the clarion call to increase the intensity, but it was not meant to be as Gravesend returned over the Thames having held their lead to the end.