Southend 22

Basildon 12

The visitors were leading London Three North East going into this derby game but it was third-placed Southend who took the points.

Southend opened the scoring with a forward pushover try with captain James Shearing getting the touch.

Ten minutes later Basildon replied through a break by their fast backs from a ruck by their forwards.

Matthew Tilson fed Gary Smith and he went over to level the scores. Dirk Cotzee then made it 7-5 with his conversion.

With the wind in their favour the new towners extended their lead to 12-5 when winger John Martin scored after some open attacking rugby.

Basildon kicked off to start the second half and almost immediately the Southend pack took charge.

That led to Paul Shearing powering over for a try before Kevin Harman kicked a penalty to level the scores.

Flanker Mick Barton added the second try of the half, with Harman again converting, to complete the victory.

Basildon saw second row player John Foxton go off with a broken arm and found themselves unable to run out with the ball as Southend's forwards had the stranglehold.

They also saw a try by Lloyd Williams disallowed by the referee which Basildon spokesman Dai Griffiths said was crucial to the outcome of the match.

(Right) Get away - a Basildon players avoids a tackle from his Southend opponent

(Left) Attack - Southend go on the offensive after winning the ball in a scrum

Pictures: MIKE BELLENIE

Rugby lesson from the Tees

Thurrock 26

Cambridge 12

Thurrock taught Cambridge a thing or two in London One with a 26-12 win over the university town side.

South Woodham Ferrers enjoyed a 39-20 victory over Old Brentwoods away in Eastern Counties Two South.

But there was no such luck for south-east Essex's two Eastern Counties Three South sides.

Pegasus opened the season with four wins in a row and followed it up with a quartet of defeats.

But on Saturday they went down 13-7 at home to Dagenham, while Ryaleigh Wyverns lost 18-0 at home to Burnham-on-Crouch.

Stanford see off Ilford

Stanford 12

Ilford Wanderers 3

Top of the table Stanford were delighted to win over their third-placed Eastern Counties Two rivals.

In a game played in awful conditions, the home side found themselves playing into the wind and rain, and were pleased to keep the score to 0-0 at the interval.

With the elements in their favour Stanford came out for the second period with all guns blazing.

They were rewarded when No8 Dean Finnegan went over for a try before the visitors scored a penalty to make it 5-3.

But then Nicky Maddison got Stanford's second try, which was converted by Dave Kelway to make the game safe.

"The forwards were outstanding in a really close game," said Stanford coach and fly-half Jamie Daisley.

"They had to keep it tight to make sure they passed to the backs and they were fantastic."

Weakened islanders crushed

Saffron Walden 38

Canvey Island 0

A much-depleted Canvey side made the trip to north Essex and came away with nothing after this London Four North East game.

Five players were ruled out through injuries and a further five first-teamers cried off in the run up to match.

But the remaining regulars found their ranks swelled by a mixture of veterans, youngsters and club stalwarts to ensure the game went ahead.

Walden's Springate pitch was almost underwater and the strong homesters soon started dictating play.

"We were not allowed to use our small stature to effect because of the state of the pitch," explained Canvey spokesman Christopher Davey. "Walden made use of the pitch and we almost sunk.

"We are a bit disappointed at the result and could possibly have a bit of reorganisation in the first team.

"The team will be training tomorrow night and we will try to find a friendly for Saturday in preparation for our next game, which is at home."

Honours even for Billericay

Billericay 10

Mersea Island 10

This really was a game of two halves as Billericay contended with cold, wet conditions at Mersea's coastal ground.

Craig Arbuckle and Dave Draper both went over in the first half to give the visitors a 10-0 lead at the interval.

But the second half saw Mersea turn the tables and equalise with an early try and then one right at the end of the match.

And the hosts blew the chance of winning the Eastern Counties One game when they missed a penalty.

"They had a good pack going forwards and it wasn't really a backs' game," said Billericay spokesman Neil Jarvis.

"Martin Green played well for us in the backs after coming on as a substitute.

"He has been out injured but came back to put in some good tackles."

Stubborn Braintree fall to Rochford

Rochford Hundred RFC 46

Braintree RFC 7

Rochford overcame atrocious weather and a stubborn Braintree side to claim victory over the London Three North East basement team.

Chris Green notched up 21 points as hi good form of last week continued, but it was a fine team performance which secured eight tries and the win for the Magnolia Road side.

Rochford powered their way through the first half with two tries from Green and one from Alan Barker,one of which Green convened.

Braintree, although out played in all departments, stuck to the task and a lapse in concentration by the home side allowed the visitors to go over for a convened try just before half time.

The second half was a different matter as Rochford launched attack after attack on the Braintree line, with scrum half Simon Webb playing an important part in most of them.

Captain Alan Henley again led by example, powering through for a converted try before centre Mark Thomson weaved his way through the Braintree defence for the best try of the afternoon.

Hooker Brian McMahon dived over next, followed by another Henley effort which was converted by Green.

To finalise proceedings Chris Green finished off a typical Rochford move to bring up his hat-trick.

Rochford's A team had their game cancelled, the B team lost 13-3 at home to Thurrock and the Harts were also defeated by Braintree.

Westcliff throw away great start

Westcliff 10

Thames Sports 17

Coach Don Faulkner was very disappointed with his first teamers as they threw away this Eastern Counties Two South game.

Westcliff made a bright start and scored two tries but then they lost their passion, the lead and then the match.

"We started the match so well," said Faulkner. "There was passion and commitment, and we took on their big pack and shoved them at nearly every scrum.

"Then the team seemed to lose heart and it all went off the boil."

Both sides made a cautious start before Westcliff missed a penalty. This fired them up and saw Mike Hannan, a new signing from Barking, get his first try for The Gables side.

Thames came to life after this and went on the attack but they hardly crossed the Westcliff 22 before they were cut down. Westcliff got back deep into Thames territory and forced a scrum near their line. Dashiel Allum and James Evans landed on the ball together as the homesters pushed over the line.

Following two missed conversion Westcliff then allowed Thames back into the game and they took full advantage. Just before half time found a hole in the home defence to get an unconverted try.

Thames went all out in the second half.They worked an overlap which led to the try that tied the scores 10-10.

The visitors then began attacking relentlessly and camped near the home line, Eventually they broke through for a converted try and there was insufficient time for Westcliff to equalise.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.