East London’s unbeaten start to the season continued on Saturday thanks to a late missed penalty by opponents Ilford.
The away side won 23-22 in a tight fought match that hinged on the missed penalty that proved to be the final kick of the match. The result puts East London in third place in Essex League 1 after the first two matches.
Ilford started the better and took the lead with a converted try, but East London worked their way into the match with inventive running from backs Hugo Chanson and Paul Arkwright.
It was Chanson who brought them level when he outpaced the home defenders from the 22-metre line to score, with full back Ryan Billinghurst adding he conversion.
Billinghurst added to the score with a penalty kick before Chanson scored with his second try of the afternoon. Billinghurst added the conversion to see East London lead 17-7 at the break.
Ilford were stung into action after the interval and began putting points on the board, countered by two more penalties from the away side. With East London leading by a point in the final minute, they conceded a penalty just to the right of the uprights. The Ilford kicker pulled his attempt to right and the away side clung on by the narrowest of margins.
East London return to the Memorial Ground on Saturday with a match against Writtle Wanderers. Kick-off is 2pm.
East London 1st XV vs Ilford: Forwards – Gary Pearmain, Will Masters, Paddy Coman, Vinny Lally, Matthew Schofield, Nick Parrott, Brian Kennedy, Michael Groombridge; Backs – Daryl O’Brien, Kieran Oliver, Kenton Stanford, Hugo Chanson, Sean Curd, Paul Arkwright, Ryan Billinghurst. Replacements: Sam Corbett, Tom Little, Billy Clayton.
Also on Saturday the East London 3rd XV beat their counterparts at Ilford by 21 to 10. The East London 4th XV won 91-5 away at Pegasus.
Coach Gary Pearmain said: “All of our teams are currently unbeaten and we will do all we can to maintain that record for as long as we can.”