Thurrock 48, Sudbury 8
THURROCK were crowned London Two North East league champions, after this emphatic victory over second-placed Sudbury at a packed Oakfield. The home support had been expecting a tense affair, with the expectancy of a victory to win the league, and also to avenge their only league loss, away at Sudbury in November.
Winning the toss and electing to play against a stiff bitterly cold breeze, the players had different ideas, after soaking up a spell of early Sudbury pressure which failed to make any scoring opportunities. Thurrock began to run their way out of trouble, with hard earned yards being made by both the back row and centres.
They took complete control of the game and, from a fine catch and drive, Ben Timson went over to score wide out. Minutes later a similar move on the other side of the park, resulted in Stefan North scoring. James Reid went close with both kicks in difficult conditions.
Thurrock continued to press, and again the forwards took the mantle with a fine drive. This time, however, full back Darryl Worster was on hand to score again wide out. This time Reid added the conversion. It was now Thurrock at their effervescent best and from a defensive scrum close to the Sudbury posts, Ben Timson intercepted a pass from the base of the scrum to score his second try of the afternoon under the posts, Earl Gorman converted to lead 24-0.
Sudbury at last got onto the scoreboard with a long range penalty, but Thurrock bounced straight back and it was the home side playmaker, fly half Ian Rudgely, who jinked his way over from good ball provided by the forwards from a well won line-out, allowing him space to score, Gorman added the extra’s. The final few minutes of the first half, Thurrock seemed to take their foot off the gas, and started to give away a few penalties, just on the stroke of half time they were punished when a set move from a five yard line out gave Sudbury a try, the conversion went wide.
In the second half, Thurrock continued to dominate the game. Sudbury tried to change tactics and slow the game down, and so it turned a bit scrappy, with a player from either side going to the bin.
Thurrock stretched their lead when Earl Gorman stormed over to score, his own conversion hitting the post. Thurrock always looked more likely to score, and from a line out move, Ben Timson went over for his third try of the afternoon.
Earl Gorman was again on hand to finish off another fine move to score under the posts and then add the conversion. Thurrock just could not notch any further points to take them past the 50 mark, the referees whistle blew for full time for Thurrock to record their first promotion as champions for 19 years.
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