Season starts with a win

Norwich, who retained their league status due to league restructuring, were a much changed side and full of confidence leading into the game.

But Thurrock had other ideas and soon settled and despite the journey looked sharp and quickly took the lead when a fine chip ahead from Ian Rudgley turned the home defence and Earl Gorman had the pace to beat the cover defence to touch down close to the posts.Aaron Burns made no mistake with the conversion.

Thurrock’s only defensive blip came soon after when some enterprising back play created good space for the home sides winger Xola to score in the corner. The conversion was short.

Thurrock though went straight back and continued to press for more points, and after good solid forward play and retaining the ball, Rudgely went on his own and skipped in under the posts to score. Burns added the conversion.

Thurrock then stretched their lead just before the break when winning the ball against the head; Number eight Brad Retigan picked up and sprinted to score into the corner, extending the lead to 19-5 at half time.

A little flurry of attacks from the home side at the restart put Thurrock’s defence to the test as Norwich tried to quicken up the game. But it stood firm and Norwich could not create any chances, and it was Thurrock who scored through last year’s leading try scorer Sam Porter. He used the space provided, after Dan Bowden took good line-out ball against the throw, good handling from the backs created space and although stopped short, his momentum carried him over.

This proved to be a major blow to the home side as Thurrock looked the more likely to score again and did so when Ian Rudgely slotted over a well taken drop goal to put the game beyond doubt.

Thurrock still had time to score after a good break from replacement Neil Wakefield created space for Sam Porter to score — his second under the posts — and Burns added the conversion to seal the win.

thurrock’s 1st league home game this Saturday sees Romford the visitors. The occasion also sees the first VP lunch of the season.