CLACTON were victorious in the inaugural East Anglia Invitational Trophy.

They beat Kelvedon 18-6 in the final, at Clacton Railway Club.

The pre-season competition gave Superleague teams an opportunity to compete against each other and six took part – Clacton, Clacton Railway, Brightlingsea Regent, Kelvedon, Sudbury Town and Smock Misfits.

Clacton won all five of their group matches to progress to the final, with 88 points.

Going into the last round of group games, it was all to play for, with every team still able to mathematically qualify for the final.

Clacton were sitting in first place, on 69 points, and up against second-placed Sudbury Town, who were on 62.

Meanwhile, Kelvedon, on 53 points, were up against Brightlingsea Regent (43).

In the other match, Smock Misfits (46 points) took on Clacton Railway (37).

In a dramatic twist, Clacton secured an emphatic 17-7 victory against last year’s Suffolk Superleague fourth-placed team, Sudbury Town.

Clacton Railway defeated Smock Misfits 15-9.

In the other match, Kelvedon dispatched Brightlingsea Regent 17-7 and clinched their place in the final, finishing second and pipping Sudbury Town. In the final, Clacton were dominant and secured the trophy with an 18-6 victory over their Essex counterparts.

Round Robin League final standings: 1 Clacton 88 points, 2 Kelvedon 72, 3 Sudbury Town (Suffolk) 69, 4 Smock Misfits 55, 5 Clacton Railway 54, 6 Brightlingsea Regent 50. Winners: Clacton. Runners-up: Kelvedon. Full round robin results: Round one: Smock Misfits 14 Brightlingsea Regent 10, Sudbury Town 13 Clacton Railway 11, Clacton 14 Kelvedon 10. Round two: Sudbury Town 12 Smock Misfits 12, Clacton 16 Brightlingsea Regent 8, Kelvedon 17 Clacton Railway 7. Round three: Sudbury Town 15 Kelvedon 9, Clacton 17 Smock Misfits 7, Brightlingsea Regent 15 Clacton Railway 9. Round four: Sudbury Town 16 Brightlingsea 8, Kelvedon 13 Smock Misfits 11, Clacton 14 Clacton Railway 10. Round five: Clacton 17 Sudbury Town 7, Clacton Railway 15 Smock Misfits 9, Kelvedon 17 Brightlingsea Regent 7. Roll of honour: 1st Clacton (£150), 2nd Kelvedon (£100), 3rd Sudbury Town, 4th Smock Misfits, 5th Clacton Railway, 6th Brightlingsea Regent.