Thurrock II go back to the top of the table!

With a good mix of experience and youth, Thurrock were hopeful of a good result against a Rochford side that had won the previous match between the two sides earlier in the season.

Heavy rain over recent days had left the playing surface wet and muddy and handling was therefore very difficult.

From the visitors' starting kick off, flanker Najee Munchida caught and made a strong 20 metre run. After some quick rucks and good hands Ts won a line-out on the Rochford 22. The resulting rolling maul led to a try for number 8 Jamie Impey after 3 minutes, with full back Caolan Watt-Adams just missing a difficult conversion attempt.
From the re-start, Rochford put the home side under pressure and kicked a penalty to bring the score to 5-3. Thurrock dominated the rest of the half, but due to conceding too many penalties and making too many errors were only rewarded with a Caolan Watt-Adams penalty to make the score 8-3 at half time. Christian Wood made an excellent senior debut at flank after 35 minutes, subbing for injured number 8 Jamie Impey .

Experienced full back Darryl Worster came on at half time and set about organising the side from the back, the Thurrock side dominated the set piece and with a strong defence, the home side never looked very likely to concede. Ts earned a penalty in front of the posts that was comfortably converted by centre Earl Gorman. Injured Sam Coultish was replaced by Sam Taylor after 60 minutes.
Wing Ian Farrell produced a big tackle shortly after he came on for Ahmed Aminu, but too many mistakes in difficult conditions led to numerous try-scoring chances going begging, despite some strong carrying from Paul Cooper, Matt Murphy, Jamie Hulse, Ant Pease, Billy Ellis and Tom Wileman.

Well done to debutantes Sebastian Ibanez-Solano and Christian Wood, the other nine teenagers in the side and the experienced heads, including Frazer Kidd, Marcus Chapman, Dean Munke and Earl Gorman that kept things organised. Dan O'Flaherty had a fine game at 9, distributing well.

The second team now have two huge home games against Southend and South Woodham in the next two weeks and can win the league if the results go in their favour.