Norwich 16, Thurrock 43

WHAT a weekend at the Rugby World Cup!

England are showing greater fluency and freedom as they continually improve whereas the excruciating physicality of the Ireland/South Africa encounter was almost matched by the inexorable intensity of the Welsh encounter with Australia.

The World Cup brought its problems for Thurrock with Niall Clifford and Jake Bedding taking a trip out to France.

It used to be said that rugby was a game for all shapes and sizes and there is still room for the likes of Cheslin Kolbe and Shane Williams.

On this occasion, however, Martin Jones and Dave Stevens opted to move second- row, Caolan Watts-Adams into midfield in place of Clifford, while the splendid Scott Chitty made a remarkable comeback to make his debut at scrum-half.

Watts-Adams' move wasn't such a surprise considering that the former Campion schoolboy, like Jim Evans, had spent much of his junior career in the backs!

It wasn't exactly a South African 7 to 1 split, but Thurrock are a mighty outfit at the moment and should go on to dominate many a team!

Nevertheless, Norwich began the game in a more sprightly fashion, after an early bout of aerial reciprocity.

A clever chip ahead by wily fly-half, Tom Regester, saw him collect his own kick to dive over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Shortly after, Conan Hoey slotted a straightforward penalty to extend the hosts' lead.

When Thurrock were shown a yellow card, the signs seemed ominous, but it was not long before the pack of Loka, Jennings, Catchpole, Miles and Brown started to impose their authority and with Chitty throwing out a constant variety of passes, Thurrock's support play began to monopolise the game.

Simultaneously, with the visitors gaining supremacy, Norwich lost their discipline, with both props sent to the bin!

Following a series of penalties and driving mauls, New Zealander Jamie Orr opened Thurrock's account.

Captain Ben Timson is a fine all-round player and a disciple of Charlie Beaty, 'Prince of poachers'. He has the knack of being in the right place at the right time and, once again, his instinct saw him pilfer a brace of fine tries to give his team the lead.

Watts-Adams and Henry Bird were wreaking havoc through the vanguard of the Norwich defence, while the pace of Ahmed Aminu and Harry Reynolds was only matched by the velocity of Rhys Cotter's incursions into the line.

Kodie Holloway was harrying and carrying and the introduction of Dan Ulph, Malachy Watts-Adams and Arri Pike simply added to the City team's woes.

Harry Reynolds scored a magnificent try with a pirouetting sprint of such balance down the touchline that it was reminiscent of Henry Arundell!

Henry Bird added his weight to the scoreline with another superb performance of tenacity and skill, before the ever-improving George Miles got his name on the score sheet to ensure a raucous trip home.

Blake Burns was enjoying a burgeoning partnership of youth with the impressive Scott Chitty and he sealed the victory with five conversions and a penalty.

Marco Diana was doing a remarkable job of filming the game and adding commentary wherever possible.

Sadly, he found that the wilds of Norfolk are not conducive to the best reception so Thurrock apologise for the loss of coverage in the second half.

This was another fine victory on the road and the Oakfielders look forward to hosting 'new boys', Dagenham on Saturday.

In the meantime, the World Cup hastens to the quarter final stages with the Northern Hemisphere teams still in serious contention.

Good luck to all!