CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY TO THURROCK

THURROCK 78
GRAVESEND 17
Well games against old rivals Gravesend are normally close and after 45 minutes that was the case as the visitors who led by 17-12. What happened in the last 30 minutes was something the fans will never forget and it one of those days when you had to be there. The pre-match VP Lunch was well attended with over a 100 sitting down, and they could not have been disappointed by this performance.
Following a minute’s silence for stalwart member Peter Pasquale who sadly passed away last week, Thurrock got off to a good start when Nathan Farrell was too strong for his opposing centre and ran in under the posts, Jake Barrand added the conversion to lead 7-0. Gravesend immediately hit back with a penalty before Barrand extended the Thurrock lead with a try in the corner. But the visitors again came back and added a converted try just before the half time whistle to reduce the deficit to 12-10
Thurrock looked to reassert themselves after the re-start, but it was the visitors who worked themselves into a scoring position following a poor clearance kick and Gravesend where ahead for the first time in the match at 17-12. Barrand added a penalty to reduce the lead to two points at 17-15 but then the game changed on its head. Thurrock kept to their task and game plan and were rewarded running in a further 9 tries in the last 30 minutes with some magnificent running rugby. It was a try from a scrum that allowed centre Sonny Gay to jink his away to score under the posts, soon after he added his second. tries came thick and fast with Farrell adding 2 more to his 1st half effort to complete his hat trick, Freddie Russo, Charlie Russo, Trent White and a Penalty Try (which is now is an automatic 7 points) and one from Barrand completed the 11 try rout. Barrand added a further 7 conversions for personal tally of 29 points and Ben Stanley 1 while Barrand, was off the field.
All the squad have worked hard for this result and enjoyed their festive after match party
Thurrock go into the festive break on a high and hoping to carry this form into a tough January and with the a further 2 weeks off it gives time for several injured players to become available and hopefully make a case for selection

Next game v MEDWAY Away on Saturday 6th January 2.00pm kick off