Forced to make six changes from the team that took them to second spot in the London 3 North East division, East London lost for the first time since September at nearby rivals Wanstead on Saturday (19 November).
Their five-match unbeaten run ended with a 49-20 defeat though the score flattered the home side who ran in three converted tries in the final eight minutes.
The game started badly for the visitors who conceded their first try on two minutes on a heavy sloping pitch that doesn’t favour away sides. They levelled the score on 12 minutes when right wing Sean Cooper popped up on the left flank to score in the corner. Fly-half Alan Ferguson converted from the touchline.
Wanstead missed a penalty from distance in front of the posts on 15 minutes and were made to pay on the half-hour when Ferguson kicked a penalty from the right flank to put East London ahead by three points. It was the only time they were to lead in the match.
When second row Matt Lucas was sent to the sin bin on 31 minutes for a high tackle, Wanstead took advantage of having the extra man and scored two converted tries to lead 21-10. Wanstead also had a man yellow carded on 31 minutes before Ferguson narrowed the gap with a penalty which the final action of the first half.
The second half started badly for East London when they conceded again on 43 minutes, but then they came back again with an individual effort on 60 minutes from Ferguson who skipped three tackles to score to the right of the posts. He converted his own try.
It was then nip and tuck until the final eight minutes when East London, who had fought hard to salvage something from the game, began to tire and Wanstead used their sloping pitch home advantage count with three converted tries.
Coach Gary Pearmain: “It was a shame we had to go into the game with six regular players missing but the team we put out was still a good one. We played very well in spells but missed some vital tackles and that cost us in the end. We will work hard in training and be ready to go again on Saturday with hopefully a few of the missing players back.”
Wanstead’s win saw them change places with East London to go second in the league with 31 points East London drop to fourth on 27 but having played a game less. Harlow remain top with 34 points. Next up for East London is a home game at the Memorial Ground in West Ham on Saturday (26 November) against seventh place Upminster. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.
East London 1st XV vs Wanstead: 1. Chris Hodgson; 2. Sam Ames-Reddin; 3. Gary Pearmain; 4. Eoin Kelly; 5. Matt Lucas; 6. Oli Hillyer-Riley; 7. Nick Parrott; 8. Dan Bracken; 9. Will Brown; 10. Alan Ferguson; 11. Daryl O’Brien; 12. Bradley Stuart; 13. Josh Cooke; 14. Sean Cooper; 15. Nik Dyer. Replacements: 16. Paddy Coman; 17. Ed Brown; 18. Joe Kelly.

Two other East London sides did enjoy success on the road on Saturday. Second team the Wyverns beat Romford 2s by 41-5. They move up to sixth place in Shepherd Neame Essex Merit Table Division 1. They play Westcliff 3s at the Memorial Ground on Saturday.
East London 3s beat Dagenham 2s by 62-22 and now sit fifth in Shepherd Neame Essex Merit Table Division 5.They play away at Rochford 3s on Saturday.