With the League really hotting up, it was time for 2nd to play 3rd and Thurrock welcomed Hove to Oakfield.
Hove are nothing if not a bit predictable with the biggest pack in the League, you know what is coming. Having been a stalwart if unexciting member of Championship South for a long time, this year they are really flying with big scores at many games having added some fast backs to their impressive pack.
With Ts missing a few key players during the half term some new starters stepped up to put in a claim for the shirt.
Spectators watched the first scrum with some trepidation, but the new look front row brushed off the challenge of the Hove pack and set the backs free. Going wide one way, recycling and coming back drew a penalty. A quick tap and good hands allowed Sally Tuson to go over in the corner dragging 3 defenders with her to put Ts ahead in only 4 minutes.
The teams were pretty evenly matched, the packs slogging it out and both sets of backs looking dangerous.
Most of the play was between the 22s but once again, when Ts got into Hove territory the pressure drew a penalty and the quick tap once again led to a score for Fi Jordan.
Hove looked constantly dangerous, but most of the time T’s resolute defence kept them at bay. Unfortunately as half time approached Ts were guilty of not clearing their lines cleanly and a missed tackle allowed a score under the posts which resulted in a half time score of 10-7.
After half time, Ts were again on the offensive and a score from the other twin Frank Jordan pushed the lead out to 15-7 and at this point Ts should have closed the game out.
Hove kept pressing and eventually Rebecca Prosser took a 10 minute rest with a Yellow card for an accumulation of high tackles.
This allowed Hove back into the game and they quickly scored to set up a nail biting finish with the score at 15-12 with 20 minutes to go.
With their tails up Hove attacked hard and the thin black and white line of the T-Birds tackled their hearts out with their backs to the line.
With 10 minutes to go, a yellow for hands in the ruck ( again) put Hove down to 14 and an exhausted T-Bird team closed the game out.
Next up is the top of the table clash with Trojans to decide who tops the League at the half way point.

Team :-Hepper, Nichols, Walsh, Franklin, Jordan.S (T), Baker, Edwards, Jordan.F (T), Parsad, Cook (C) (Capt), Harvey, Tyler, Tuson (T), Lawther, Rep:-Cook, Dyche, Picton.L, Pcton.P, Smith.