Thurrock get revenge against Woodford

Thurrock gained revenge for their defeat at the hands of Woodford earlier in the season when losing to an injury time penalty try, in emphatic victory with crossing the whitewash 5 times, in difficult conditions caused by high swirling wind and heavy overnight rain.

The home side got off to the better start camping in Thurrock’s half for the opening exchanges, but their pressure only see them take the lead with a Lloyd penalty. Thurrock weathered the storm and came bouncing back and the backs started to look dangerous when in attack and it soon paid dividends as Ben Madden supported well and ran in wide of the posts.

Thurrock dominated the next phase of the game and winger Sam Porter added a brace of tries to underline Thurrock’s superior play, Mark Brandon was off target with three difficult conversions, as the half closed which totally belonged to the visitors, it was marred by Dave Stevens leaving the field with an arm injury, and was replaced by Seb Rate.

The second period started and Thurrock looked to capitalise even further but a mistake in midfield see Woodford kick the ball through and the cover defence was unable to beat home side winger Duffy to the touchdown, Lloyd added the conversion and all of a sudden they were back in the game. Gaining in confidence Woodford put Thurrock on the back foot and Thurrock conceded two further kickable penalties both gratefully accepted by Lloyd to turn the game on its head and Thurrock trail 16-15.

From looking comfortable Thurrock now had to dig deep and Thurrock regained the lead when Mark Brandon kicked a 40 metre penalty. Despite injuries to Aaron Woodward and Chris Banks and a complete reshuffle of the forwards with Nat Farrell who normally plays on the wing going into the back row he was quickly joined by Sam Porter following his first half efforts into the forwards. Thurrock kept attacking and two tries from Captain Darryl Worster in the closing minutes the later converted by Brandon with the last kick of the game. In between tries Hyett kicked a penalty for the home side but it was all in vain. And sets up nicely this weekend’s home game with Chingford as 3rd plays 4th