Thurrock 54, Chingford 12

THURROCK produced another dominant home display at Oakfield, running in eight tries in a comprehensive victory over Chingford in a performance that combined attacking flair with ruthless execution as they kept their grip on the top spot of Counties 1 Essex.

The hosts wasted no time in asserting themselves. Inside four minutes, some individual brilliance from Caolan Watts-Adams opened the scoring.

The back-rower chipped cleverly over his opposite number, regathered superbly and offloaded to the returning Harry Reynolds, who crossed for his first league try since rejoining the club from Harlow. Jake Barrand was narrowly off target with the conversion attempt.

Tees stretched their lead on 13 minutes following a sharp lineout move. Captain Kodie Holloway broke from a driving maul before being halted just short, but quick ball allowed Alex Jones to fire a long miss pass to Barrand, who cut through to score. This time he added the extras.

Chingford responded well, moving the ball neatly along their backline to score out wide and reduce the deficit.

The response from Thurrock was immediate however.

From the restart, Nat Farrell gathered cleanly, broke through multiple tackles and powered over for his 90th league try in Black & White — a milestone effort that also saw him draw level with former captain Charlie Russo as Thurrock's most capped player since records began in 2008. Barrand converted.

Farrell was not finished. Ten minutes later the backs again shifted the ball at pace, a loose pass was tidied up by the veteran winger, who cut back against the grain to dot down. Barrand again converted as Ts tightened their grip.

The fifth try arrived on 33 minutes following a powerful scrum platform. Quick, slick handling saw Reynolds slice through unopposed for his second of the afternoon, Barrand adding his fourth conversion to send Thurrock into the break with a commanding 33–5 lead.

The second half began in similar fashion. Awarded a penalty, Barrand opted against kicking for touch and instead delivered a pinpoint cross-field kick that Farrell gathered superbly before diving over in the corner for his second hat-trick of the season. A superb touchline conversion by Barrand followed.

Thurrock's seventh came ten minutes later. Patient build-up play created space for Alex Jones to chip delicately over the defensive line, Reynolds collecting at pace to complete his own hat-trick. Barrand converted once more.

To their credit, Chingford refused to fold and controlled possession for a sustained 20-minute spell. Their efforts were eventually rewarded, albeit in unusual fashion. Stopped short of the line, a quick tap attempt was halted illegally by Farrell, resulting in a penalty try and a yellow card.

Thurrock would have the final word. In the last play of the game, Barrand burst through the defence to score his second try of the afternoon before adding his seventh conversion to seal a comprehensive 54–12 victory.

It was another impressive home performance, with the back three particularly influential throughout. There was also a senior debut for young Ben Gorbutt, who made a lively cameo in the second half.

Also at Oakfield, the 2nd XV produced a statement performance of their own, defeating Wanstead 41–20.

The result was made even sweeter given Ts had suffered an 82–0 defeat in the reverse fixture only a couple of months ago. A strong blend of youth and experience set the tone from the outset and never looked back.

Tries came from Freddie Russo (2), Ahmed Aminu (2), Euan Thomas, Joe Reynolds and debutant George Morgan, who marked his first appearance in Ts colours with a Man of the Match display. Alex Baker added three conversions.

The 1st XV now have a weekend off before a huge top-of-the-table clash away at Epping on Saturday 28th February.

A combined 2nd/3rd XV squad travel to Dagenham on Saturday 21st for a friendly fixture.