Thames Win Local Derby

Home for the first time this season Thames had a big crowd to cheer them on and they didn't have to wait long as Mark O'Connell steamed over the Thurrock try line just after the first minute of play.

Thurrock replied with a try of their own 9 minutes later, bringing the score to 5 a piece. However the score line didn't stay level for long as Thames scored through Max Clarke after a well worked set play, first from the forwards and then the backs leaving Clarke to outpace three Thurrock chasers. Minutes later the crowd had another reason to cheer as Thames scored their third try of the day with Matt Vallis fainting one way and stepping the other leaving the Thurrock defence wrong footed and Vallis jogging over the line. Lee Cairns had missed his first two kicks but made his third attempt of the day easy.

The next try came after some good phases of play by both sides but Thames had the upper hand and was making more ground than their visitors. Mark O'Connell crashed over the line from one such phase but brave defence from Thurrock made sure the ball wasn't grounded. The following scrum saw Thames hit towards the try line by the forwards and their efforts were rewarded when Jack Egar's strength smashed his way over to score. Cairns had no trouble with the conversion.

Minutes later Clarke was walking away from under the Thurrock posts as his team mates had put him into space and his pace couldn't be matched by the Thurrock backs. Cairns added two extra points bringing the score to 31 - 5 at half time.

The second half saw Thames putting more pressure on the Thurrock try and line and it wasn't long before Edgar Juska stepped and charged over from a penalty move giving the home side their sixth try. Three minutes later Luke Edwards demanded the ball and once in hand he knocked a hole bigger enough in the defence to cross the line for another Thames score.

Thames was playing on the edge and their discipline suffered as they were pulled for persistent offence and Jack Egar took the yellow card for the team. Even down to 14 men Thames were still attacking and finding space and Thurrock’s frustration was now showing. As tempers frayed and from somewhere handbags where found, Thurrock were reduced to 14 men but Thames also were reduced to 13 with David Sullivan being sent from the field. Sullivan had up to that point been immense for Thames but as changes to the line-up had to be made Thames started to unload its young bench. Even down to 13 men Thames were pinning back Thurrock and as Clarke linked up with Matthew Hook, Hook dived over the line for his first senior try and one that was extremely well deserved after his outstanding work at scrum half. Cairns made the kick from far out with plenty to spare.

Thames back to 14 men weren't finished yet; this time through Kyle Munro they added their ninth try. Munro in support on the wing waited for the delivery of a pass and then opened out skirting his defender and then beating two Thurrock covering defenders to the line.

Both teams back to 15 men it was Thurrock who crossed the line next with a well work forwards and backs try. Thurrock's try stirred Thames into one last push and from an attacking scrum O'Connell broke free found the space and managed to win the foot race to the try line, bringing up Thames’ tenth try of the day. Cairns added the extra points closing out the game, Thames winning 60 to 12.

Thames win was down to a full team effort, forwards and backs, with the side line support really making a difference getting behind the team. Thames man of the match was an extremely hard choice but Ryan Slaney took the honours, playing at both hooker and prop he covered the ground and made a huge contribution to the win.