Chelmsford 17, Thurrock 40

"If you can meet with triumph and disaster And treat those two impostors just the same - - - "Rudyard Kipling

AFTER a weekend of drama, tension and magnificent rugby at the World Cup, it was disaster for most of the Home nations, but triumph for England and Thurrock.

A double blow for Chelmsford who had once boasted amongst their ranks, former England captain, Tony Bucknall and the scorer of England's greatest ever try, Andy Hancock! (against Scotland in 1962)

Thurrock travelled to Coronation Park having made a few enforced changes. Angus Poole came into the centre, Jamie Smith filled a wing position and Kye Holloway played in an unfamiliar role at full- back.

Scott Chitty and Blake Burns are establishing themselves at half-back, while Câolan Watts-Adams moved back into the second row.

Thurrock kicked off down the slope with the wind at their backs and, after some minor skirmishes were soon in the ascendancy.

Thurrock's pack set the tone with George Miles and Anthony Catchpole dominating the scrums and Jay Jennings securing quality line-out ball.

Blake Burns kicked well throughout, and his penalty put the visitors in a strong attacking situation. From the resultant circumrotary-maul, Dan Ulph repeated his Jamie George feat of opening the scoring. Burns obliged with the conversion.

Burns now took the ball to the line and unleashed Niall Clifford and Angus Poole. The centre powered through for Watts-Adams to get his customary score.

Almost immediately Ulph picked up his second try.

Jamie Smith and Ahmed Aminu were desperately trying to get in on the act, but play was being dominated by the forwards. Kodie Holloway and Jamie Orr were tirelessly getting through acres of support and, after yet another well managed steer, skipper,Ben Timson navigated his way over the line for Burns to take the score up to 19-0.

Straight from the kick off , the ball fell to Orr and a powerful fend and dummy propelled the Kiwi through a gap. Holloway ran a superb support line as Thurrock were firing on all cylinders now and the City team was looking hugely under resourced.

Nevertheless, Chelmsford constructed a decent attack. Jamie Morrish surged through to send Jack Acorn in for a try converted by Matt Jefferson.

However, any hint of a comeback was neutralised as Thurrock re-established their supremacy after the interval.

A mesmerising run by Holloway fractured the defence before Watts-Adams was stopped just short after a superb incursion into the line.

With Lawrence Brown doing a lot of the unseen work, Blake Burns was able to 'ghost' through a gap to score a typical fly-half's try which he converted himself.

With Tom Wileman adding his considerable bulk, Watts- Adams moved to the centre and proved his versatility with a couple of compelling thrusts through the Chelmsford vanguard resulting in a spectacular try.

Arri Pike is looking a good prospect on the wing and would soon make his mark.

With the contest more or less over the game became less structured, not helped by frequent stoppages for injuries and yellow card infringements.

Jack Bennett went close for the " Blueboys" before James Allway scored wide out.

With the result beyond a game home side, they loosened up and added to their tally after a quick tap penalty by Lloyd Ellis.

For Thurrock, it was a job well done, five points in the bag and a chance to catch up on the World Cup!

At the end of the weekend, in Thurrock ranks there were hosts of triumphant English men, several frustrated Welshmen, one disappointed Irishman and, in Jamie Orr an ecstatic New Zealander!

Let's hope that we can deal with those "twin impostors" as England remain the only hope for the Northern hemisphere!

This week Thurrock take on old rivals Eton Manor for whom former Thurrock legends Ivan Whittall, Steve Bowen and Earl Gorman once featured.