League leaders Thurrock Rugby Club produced a composed away performance to run out 34–15 winners against a much-improved Billericay Rugby Club, responding well to pressure throughout to maintain their position at the top of Counties 1 Essex.

The opening exchanges proved challenging for Thurrock, with captain Kodie Holloway shown a yellow card in the 4th minute. Billericay made a strong start and enjoyed good control of territory and possession, with their pressure telling in the 18th minute as they crossed for the opening try.

Momentum swung in Thurrock’s favour when Billericay were reduced to 14 men following a yellow card in the 28th minute. The visitors began to build pressure and were rewarded on the half-hour mark, when a powerful forward drive saw Tani Loka power over to level the scores on his landmark 200th 1st XV appearance. Jake Barrand was unable to add the conversion, leaving the scores at 5–5.

Thurrock struck again just five minutes later. From a driving maul on the Billericay line, Kodie Holloway showed great awareness to peel off and break quickly, dotting down in the 35th minute to give Thurrock the lead. Barrand added the extras to move the visitors in front.

The visitors then produced the try of the afternoon moments before the break. Excellent interplay between Caolan Watts-Adams and Loka created momentum before quick work at the breakdown allowed Leo McCarthy to burst through the line. Showing great composure, the youngster offloaded to centre partner Jake Jones, who finished clinically. Barrand added the conversion to send Thurrock into the interval with a 19–5 half-time lead.

The start to the second half was fairly even, with neither side able to dominate possession. Billericay struck in the 57th minute, a neat grubber kick into the in-goal area allowing their winger to score and reduce the deficit.

That try appeared to spark Thurrock into life. They responded quickly with a well-worked score of their own, as another strong lineout provided the platform for the backline to move the ball sharply. Nat Farrell cut back brilliantly against the grain of the defence to score under the posts, with Barrand converting.

Ill discipline again threatened to disrupt Thurrock’s momentum as Will Lewis was shown a yellow card, but the visitors remained in control.

Despite being down to 14 men, Thurrock struck again as debutant Franklyn Broad crossed to put the game beyond Billericay’s reach, but somehow managed a Yellow card in the act of scoring. This left Ts playing the final 10 minutes with 13 men.

To their credit, Billericay never stopped competing and were rewarded with a third try in the 80th minute as the numerical advantage eventually paid off.

There was still time, however, for Barrand to add a penalty with the final kick of the game, sealing a 34–15 victory for Thurrock.

The result keeps Thurrock two points clear of Epping with a game in hand, despite having been deducted four points due to discipline sanctions carried over from last season.

It was a solid away performance against a Billericay side much improved since Thurrock’s emphatic 95–3 victory at Oakfield earlier in the season.

Jake Jones was again influential in midfield, adding another try to his growing tally, but Man of the Match went to Tani Loka, who marked his 200th appearance with a try and an all-action display.

Thurrock’s next league fixture is not until 14 February, when they welcome Chingford to Oakfield.

They were due to face Southwold in the Counties 1 Championship Cup on Saturday 31 January, but the visitors have since withdrawn, sending Thurrock through to the Quarter Finals.