Maldon 10, Thurrock 38

THURROCK were quickly off the mark in Saturday's (22 November) Counties One Clash at Maldon when Darryl Worster, who had featured with a breakthrough run in setting up the opportunity, rounded off a Tees move by collecting a pass from Caolan Watts-Adams from a scrum to run in unopposed.

In difficult conditions, Sam Ingram's conversion from out wide was pushed wide of the posts by the wind.

Alfie Summers responded soon after for Maldon, converting a penalty opportunity.

However, Thurrock were to extend the lead with a converted penalty of their own on ten minutes and added to it with another successful three-pointer on 21 minutes.

A second Tees try followed on 25 minutes when the ball was moved across the line following a throw-in and Barrand dived over, close to the line. Tees were unable to convert and, despite pressure, were also unable to add to the 16-3 scoreline before the sides went into the halftime break.

However, it took just four minutes from the restart for the lead to be extended further when a box kick was picked up by Kodie Holloway who fed Malachy Watts-Adams and his surging run ended with a perfectly timed pass for Grant Scott to take the ball over between the sticks and Ingram had the simplest of conversions.

Tees were in no mood to take their foot off the gas and within five minutes had another seven points on the board, Holloway this time turning finisher at the end of a well-worked line-out. He dived over between the uprights again, and once more Ingram delivered the extras.

Maldon showed their mettle by responding with an opportunistic try following a line-out close to the Thurrock line, Christopher Mooney seizing on a lose ball to dive over and it was converted by Summers.

More pressure from Thurrock resulted in a 66th minute penalty which Ingram successful slotted home.

The Thurrock scoring wasn't done, with the clock running towards its conclusion Caolan Watts-Adams picked up the ball after pressure from a scrum forced Maldon back and he was able to stretch out and get the ball down. The kick was missed, but it didn't matter as Thurrock were truly home and hosed and the win took them to the top of the table.

You can watch the whole match via this link.

Also in Counties One Essex Stanford-le-Hope went down21-12 at home to Mavericks, a disappointing outcome at the Rec for the hosts who hadn't played since the excellent win against Upminster on 18 October

Other results for borough clubs saw Thurrock Seconds suffer an 82-0 thumping at Essex One leaders Wanstead Seconds, while in the same division bottom club Pegaus Palmerians came close to victory at Brentwood Seconds, losing a high scoring match by two points, going down 31-29.

Thames lost 36-6 at league leaders Eton Manor Thirds in Essex Two.