East London 5, Thurrock 83

THURROCK kept their London and South East Essex Counties One title hopes very which alive with a commanding victory in East London today (Saturday, 21 March). 

Tees took a few minutes to settle but gradually got a grip on the match and were rewarded with an opening try around nine minutes in, when a powerful forward drive ended with Malachy Watts-Adams grounding the ball over the line. Jake Barrand's conversion drifted wide.

However, he was given a great opportunity to convert another try five minutes later. A superb run from Nat Farrell carved open the home defence and a try was only stopped by a deliberate knock-on as he tried to offload to an overlapping colleague. A yellow card followed and the 14 man East London side found themselves further behind when the penalty was tapped and Grant Scott surged through to run in under the posts. From close range Barrand made no mistake. 

On 15 minutes a flowing move after another tapped penalty ended with the ball spun along the line and Leo McCarthy was on hand to take the ball in for a third try. Barrand's kick again drifted wide.

The Thurrock onslaught continued with almost constant pressure in the East London 22 and on 23 minutes, after another flowing move, Farrell was given the chance to burst through the home backline and the fourth try came under the posts. Barrand slotted the kick. 

A fine strategic kick put East London under pressure almost on their own line and from a line-out and drive Jack Cowman had hands on the ball when it was grounded. This time, from the right side of the pitch, Barrand landed the conversion to make it 31-0.

To their credit East London responded well from the restart and after their first sustained spell of pressure Thurrock were caught napping as Matthew Shacklady broke the line and ran in the home side's first try, though the conversion from veteran Fabio Ogunfowora was sliced wide.

McCarthy looked to have scored his second try moments before the break when Barrand booted a low bouncing ball well into open space and McCarthy outpaced the home deffenders, kicked it further forward and then dived to touch it down only for the referee to bring it back, mistakenly adjuding the youngster's controlling kick as a knock on! 

The half time whistle went soon after, with Thurrock going into the break 31-5 ahead.

The second half was barely into its second minute when Farrell produced a stunning individual try, burst several attempted tackled at pace and racing through to place the ball between the sticks. Scott took over the kicking duties from Barrand and he converted with some ease from close range.

Watch the match here:-

Barrand was soon back on the kicking tee after Alex Jones added another try, shrugging off two would-be tacklers to touch down after the ball had been spun along the line. Barrand's well-struck kick sailed between the uprights.

Midway through the second half Thurrock reached 50 points when Harry Reynolds kicked forward from the left flank. Darryl Worster made a nuisance of himself as East London tried to gather the ball and it eventually broke loose and was snapped up by Reynolds who jogged home under the posts to give Barrand the chance to add another two.

And less than two minutes had gone before Thurrock scored again when another productive run on the right flank by Farrell ended with Malachy Watts-Adams grabbing the ball after a spot of juggling and he evaded a tackle, twisting round to touch the ball down. Barrand's conversion drifted wide. 

Thurrock were in no mood to ease up and within another couple of minutes they went past the 60 point mark when more pressure led to Worster taking the ball at pace from close range and he crashed through, with Barrand able to add two more to take the score to 64-5.

Straight from the restart Thurrock surged forward against a clearly rattled home side and replacement Joss Nunn ran in unchallenged from 30 yards. Barrand again converted from in front of the uprights.

East London briefly had the ball in the Thurrock 22 but it was returned upfield with a vengeance and Nunn raced through and used his strength to barge over the the corner for his second try within a couple of minutes. Barrand's bid for extras drifted wide.

Within moments the rout continued as Reynolds ran one in under the posts from distance and Barrand extended the lead to 83-5, which is how it remained when time was called a few minutes later. 

As expected leaders Epping Upper Clapton beat Upminster, but the 47-31 margin was probably closer than expected. Epping have two matches left.

away to Chingford on Saturday, 18 April and Maldon the following Saturday, 25 April. They will be expected to win both, but Thurrock's destiny is in their own hands with three fixtures left, all at home, against Romford & Gidea Park next Saturday (28 March), Upminster on Saturday, 11 April and the season-ending derby with Stanford-le-Hope on Saturday, 18 April when they could lift the title.

Stanford had their own celebrations yesterday, with their third win of the season at home to Chingford, which they won 49-38 at their Recreation ground.

Thurrock also have a cup to contest, they are due to play Cheshunt at home on Saturday, 2 May in the Counties 1 Championship quarter-final. 

Thurrock seconds' trip to Chelmsford today ended in disappointment with a 37-5 defeat.