Thurrock u14s matched Maldon in early exchanges but after a multi phased attack by Maldon, Jack Scary went over for Maldon’s first try in the 8th minute. The try was duly converted by Charlie Hagger.

Thurrock youth rugby teams are not known to give up easy and TRFC u14s are no different. Led by an impressive pack of forwards, Thurrock marched the ball slowly but steadily beyond Maldon’s five metre line. Tees currently bossing the physical battle up front made a big push in a scrum that allowed Tees scrum half, Liam Power Junior to take the ball over the try line and score on 15 minutes.

Maldon went ahead again on 20 minutes when Johnny Judd came on the end of a Maldon overlap to score. Maldon’s Alex Thompson who was excellent throughout, scored each side of half time making the score 26- 5 and taking the fixture away a bit from Thurrock. Tees u14 management team wrung the changes with impressive no.8 Charlie Ovey being switched to inside centre. This rearrangement stopped further Maldon attacks in their tracks.

Thurrock battled hard for the remainder of the second half, with winger Piers Hanley, in particular, asking many questions of Maldon’s defence.

Indeed, right at the end of an absorbing contest, Hanley was unlucky to race beyond the try line and not get his ball down for a consolation score that Tees u14 s efforts fully deserved.