Billericay cruised through to the third round of the Tetley Vase after an overwhelming victory against a side currently playing a division above the Willowbrook-based side.

Playing uphill and with wind against in the first half, Billericay quickly found themselves behind from an early penalty before Thetford increased their lead further with another penalty, to lead 6-0 with 15 minutes played.

However, with a succession of missed penalties from the visitors, this only inspired Billericay, who reduced the arrears when, from a rolling maul involving all the forwards, prop Gary Pearmain went over.

Billericay then began to control the game, despite playing against the conditions and on the stroke of half time took the lead when scrum half, Glenn Smith scored and with Andy Collings converting gave Billericay a 12-6 lead.

The second half belonged to the home side and increased their lead within five minutes of the restart with a Kevin Harman drop goal, shortly followed by a Collings' penalty to increase the lead to 18-6.

Any visitors' attacks were soon thwarted with superb defensive tackling from centres Nick Glister and Adam Hudson.

With Billericay camped in the opposition half throughout, they increased their lead when winger John Wicks sprinted through to score.

Billericay's forwards, with front row of Tony Bond, Paul Daly and Gary Pearmain proving too strong for the opposite numbers, won plenty of ball in the scrums, while Steve Clow and Jim Hayter cleaned up at the line outs.

Billericay's lead was increased when full back Andy Collings joined the line and raced through to score and extend the lead to 28-6.

With Billericay now running the ball at every opportunity, Glenn Smith scored his second try when collecting a pass beat several tackles to score.

Not to be outdone, winger John Wicks collected a pass 30 metres out and raced round his opposite number to score under the posts which Collings duly converted and saw Billericay comfortably through to the next round.

Tomorrow sees Billericay back in League action with a home game against Beccles at Willowbrook (k.o 3 pm).

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