It would be mendacious to suggest that this had been an outstanding season for Thurrock, but this youthful team has fought hard at every bridgehead and its development has been hugely encouraging with a 66% success rate over the past two months and so many young players maturing ahead of schedule.

Furthermore, with the Colts winning their Cup Final, the pathways to Senior Rugby have never been signposted so clearly with at least ten young players becoming eligible next term!

Thurrock and Eton Manor share a long history in opposition and some Thurrock veterans had played at Walthamstow College, Hackney Marshes, Eaton Park as well as the new ground at Wanstead!
Several players have played for both teams. Thurrock legends Steve Bowen and star of "Rugby Special", Ivan Whittall were as well respected at Eton Manor as they were at Thurrock.

Indeed they were present at Oakfield with a bumper holiday crowd, many of whom had been given a conducted tour of Orsett Heath Academy and the superb facilities shared with the Rugby Club.

A large crowd settled down as skipper Nick Horton kicked off into the wind. There was a knock on and this would be a persistent problem for both sides as they threw long speculative passes into the terth of a strong, cold easterly wind.

An early penalty allowed the splendid Tom Worsfold to push the ball in to the corner.
Just as it looked as if Thurrock would drive the rolling maul, the ball was cleverly manipulated to the blind-side where the alert Alex Jones could cruise over in the corner leaving Wosfold just missing the difficult conversion.

Eton Manor have an inspirational No.8 in David Ogufere and, after one stampeding effort and a slipstream of helpless defenders, he was able to offload to winger Ire Onabayo who streaked over for an unconverted try.

It seemed as if Thurrock had any number of opportunities, particularly from the outstanding midfield combination of Niall Clifford, Henry Bird and Joss Nunn, but it was Manor's right winger Jordan Sullivan who picked up a spectacular try after being set up by Jack Kane and Lloyd Turner. Horton added the extras from close range.

Enter the fray, Joss Nunn. The ex flanker demonstrated his mesmeric skills as he burst hrough the line and seemed to beat the defence single handedly! This was another splendid try to add to his already vast collection.

With the home side seeking to seize the initiative, flanker Jesse Liston found a gap and went over unopposed.
Seconds later, a bemused Tom Worsfold spotted a gap like the Corinth Canal and sliced through a bamboozled Manor line-up to level the scorers.

With this momentum swing, it looked as if Thurrock would finish the stronger before fate intervened. The perennial yellow card and a series of interceptions led to the flattering scoreline as "The Manor" capitalised through the pace and enterprise of Onabayo, Anderson and Sullivan. Scrum- half and captain, Nick Horton was probably man of the match, especially as Joss Nunn was forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury.
In spite of the late onslaught Thurrock's youngsters can take heart from their performances over the past few months.
Wingers like Dan Stone, Ahmed Aminu, Callum Pluckand Harry Reynolds have had to follow on from the outstanding Jake Barrand and Kye Holloway. Tom Saunders and Ed Stevens have laid down the gauntlet to the experienced Alex Jones and Jake Bedding, although the latter has been unavailable for most of the season.
Up front Jack Cowman and Essex under 20 captain, Frank Wright have grown in confidence and been the bedrock of the scrum after Anthony Catchpole's unfortunate injury. The emergence of Elonas Butrimas as a foil to veteran, Dan Carey has been a bonus.
Lawrence Brown has proved a real asset with his tackling and jackalling while Rob Murphy's skills and versatility are crucial.
In the second-row, Jay Jennings and Caolan Watts-Adams are burgeoning talents alongside the rugged power of Dritan Loka and the uncompromising Dan Libby. When newcomer James Rodger returns from injury, this department should provide the power essential to success.
Ben Timson and Charlie Russo have led by example and these old schoolmates are always " the first over the top", whereas the brilliant Kodie Holloway has shown that there is life after Tom Pool!

With the Second team and Colts chalking up excellent results, we can all look forward to some great "days in the sun"!
All the Thurrock players and staff have thanked Anthony Pease for his amazing work as Team Manager. Anthony returns to the fold as a player next season and this multi-talented man will be sorely missed.
Thurrock's season ends on Sunday with the Ladies again contesting the English Championship Final against Cheltenham at neutral Aylesbury with the Kick Off at 2:00 p.m.

This is followed by the Dinner and Dance at North Stifford in the evening.

The future is incredibly exciting!