Mersea Island produced a gutsy performance against current league leaders Rochford.
The Islanders pushed their Essex opponents hard for 60 minutes before running out of steam.
Despite travelling without key first-team players Haycock, Blacklock, Bredin and Day, the Islanders made an impressive start.
They struck early, when an attempted drop goal by Jon Williams hit the upright. Spencer Priestley was the first to react and quick ruck ball enabled Paul Le Marquand to power over for his first try of the season. Rochford struck back with a penalty.
Full-back Jack Reddish finished off a sweeping move to score the Islanders' second try.
After another threatening attack Mersea extended their lead to 13-3 with a penalty from Williams. Rochford finished the half quite strongly, especially when Mersea's Priestley was sin-binned.
From some sustained pressure Rochford's number eight and skipper Matt Norris crashed over from short range, which was converted for an interval scoreline of 13-10.
At the start of the second half Rochford created space for the pacy winger to sprint in unopposed and take the lead, 18-13. But, fly-half Williams scored an inspired solo try under the posts and converted to restore the lead to Mersea.
But the Islanders conceded three late tries.
Published Tuesday, December 14, 2004
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