Thurrock 51, Stanford-le-Hope 5

THURROCK Firsts ensured there was no last moment slip-up as they comprehensively beat neighbours Stanford to lift the London and South Counties One Essex title on Saturday (18 April).

It didn't take Tees long to get a grip on the match with Harry Reynolds scoring their first try in the first minute and he converted it himself.

Jack Cowman, evergreen Nat Farrell and Charlie Chitty kept the pressure on with three more tries by the 15 minute mark and after that Thurrock went into cruise control with Reynolds adding Thurrock's fifth on the half hour – though battling Stanford also crossed the whitewash to make it 27-5 at half time.

Reynolds completed his hat-trick of tries early in the second half – which featured the reappearance in a Thurrock shirt of Ben Stanley.

Reynolds converted a try by Leonardo McCarthy and then crossed again with his fourth, which he also converted. The scoring was wrapped up late in the game with a try from Alan Jones.

Thurrock's seconds made it a great day for the club with a 52-12 in their cup derby at Palmers College against pegs Palmerians to secure a final place.

Tees first also have a cup outing to look forward to - They are due to play host to Cheshunt on Saturday, 2 May in the Counties One Championship quarter-finals. 

Title triumph for Thurrock.